This review may contain spoilers
Overdid the time travel
To my surprise there wasn’t much to the story. It was quite plain. The writer didn’t overcomplicate the time travel theme which is good but it doesn’t mean there can’t be interesting factors in the plot. The writer didn’t think out of the box much Simply put I lost interest several times while watching the show.I don’t care about how the time travel(the watch) worked. I liked the simplicity of it but story was too monotonous. There were no “wow” moments. Sol could time travel many times as she wanted so what’s the catch here? Time travel lost the charm simply by overdoing it and coming back with the same problems. Why drag the show for that long! It could’ve easily been a 12 episode drama. Too many filler episodes.
The 2nd lead guy didn’t had much relevance in the story or on sol’s choices same as many other characters !! The comedy had off timing. One moment something serious was happening and the next moment something totally lame. Sol herself wasn’t serious. As the main character she was lacking and wasn’t doing anything sensible that will make you support her.
Sunjae on the other hand was portraying a “boy in love” and we loved him. Mostly bcz he was unaware of what was going on. He was loveable character. But I can’t say that about Sol. Overall it was okay but bit boring.
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LOVELY RUNNER - A rollercoaster of emotions and heart-stopping moments!
Lovely Runner is a masterpiece that stands out as one of the most remarkable K-dramas of 2024. With its captivating storyline, brilliant character development, and flawless execution, it takes the viewer on an emotional journey like no other.Never compare this drama with other genres like thriller, romance, and so on because it is truly different. From episode 1, this drama presents scenes that never get boring. There is no scene that feels unnecessary. Everything is connected, one scene leading to the next..
The emotions displayed by Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok are also excellent. They’re precise and perfectly timed, showing a range of emotions. How many dramas can make you feel deeply sad one moment and then burst out laughing the next? The performances by all the cast, particularly Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok, are nothing short of outstanding, capturing the essence of their characters with remarkable depth and nuance.
As an international K-drama fan, I started watching K-dramas as early as 2001. For many years, I’ve watched various genres, and I can proudly say that LOVELY RUNNER is the best drama I’ve ever watched. The storyline doesn’t repeat, but this drama itself makes me watch it over and over again, something I’ve never done before. Usually, even if I like a drama, I will watch it at most three times, and that’s spread out over a longer period. But even six months after finishing this drama, I’m still in the phase of K-drama depression... I’ve watched it more than five times over the past six months ? Lovely Runner also captures moments beautifully. The cinematography is simply breathtaking, beautifully complementing the tone and emotions of every scene and an original soundtrack that perfectly matches the scenes.
The carefully curated original soundtrack enhances the viewing experience, with each song perfectly matched to its corresponding moment, making the drama even more memorable. You can tell which song is specifically for the male lead and which one is for the kissing scene between the two characters. All the OSTs of Lovely Runner are so pleasant to listen to. I’ve never been this fond of the entire OST of a drama before. Usually, it’s just one or two songs that catch my attention. Thank you, Lovely Runner, for having such a big impact on my life. The days I spent watching Lovely Runner were beautiful. To the haters, there’s no need to spread negativity about Lovely Runner because you’ll never understand the storyline. This is definitely not a genre you should watch ?
What truly sets Lovely Runner apart is its ability to balance heartfelt moments with light-hearted humor, making it a perfect blend of emotion and entertainment. It’s a drama that stays with you long after the final episode, proving that it is, without a doubt, the best drama of 2024 !
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This review may contain spoilers
Unnecessary dragged
The first episode had me hooked but as the show progressed the story became just like any other Kdrama. Don’t know why some scenes and characters reminded me of true beauty. The character tae sung had uncanny resemblance with true beauty’s seo jun. Anyhow i wish there was more depth to the characters as female lead seemed shallow and same with some other characters. The female lead got on my last nerves with her stupid choices. The more chances she gets to go into the past the more dumb and careless she behaves and gets herself in trouble. I do feel bad for sunjae.I still continued to watch it but Episode 8 is when it all went down. I was okay with the cliches too but episode 8 completely ruined it for me. Time travel become a joke at this point. Even sunjae’s feelings become a joke based on how conveniently Sol expressed her feelings 14 years later and he didn’t ask for an explanation? Like his feelings literally become so irrelevant after this point because no matter what sol does he kept clinging to her like a puppy. I hated to watch her travel back into past again. I wish they had ended the drama at episode 8 where they confessed feelings and got together. THE END but noo the writers had to drag the story even if they have nothing new to add to develop the plot.
I can easily guess what the final episodes are going to be about soo not curious at all.
Ps I know it’s seems stupid to drop a drama soo close to the finale but it cringe so bad when things get lame. I gave this drama a fair shot but…
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This review may contain spoilers
LR is what happens when amazing people come together
Lovely Runner is the perfect example of what happens when amazing actors, amazing directors, and an amazing writer come together.A true masterpiece in my opinion 👏 The show that nobody believed in became one of the most popular show of 2024 not just in South Korea but internationally!
Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok have been perfectly cast as Im Sol and Seon Jae. The script was written for KHY. To me it was fate that all of the other actors rejected Lovely Runner. Because it was fate for BWS to play Seon Jae. These two in my opinion were born to play Im Sol and Seon Jae.
This show is the perfect balance of romance and comedy. A true Rom-com! It has some heavy heartbreaking moments but they're carried out well. And the pacing of the show remains perfectly consistent till the end.
I'm glad they didn't over complicate the whole time travel thing. It was quite straightforward. Im Sol goes back in time to save Seon Jae from his impending death in 2023. There are no parallel timelines. Its one timeline thats being altered as Im Sol changes the choices she makes in the past in 2008/2009.
The end of Episode 2 changes the entire direction and pov of the show. Its not about Im Sol going back in time to save her Idol Ryu Seon Jae. It's Im Sol going back in time to save Seon Jae (who's first love is Im Sol). Idol Ryu Seon Jae didn't just write Sonagi for anyone, it was for his first love Im Sol. It was love at first sight for Seon Jae when he first met Im Sol when they were 18.
Im Sol tries many times to change Seon and her fate but finds out that some things are meant to be and will always happen.
✨️The most important one being, Seon Jae will always fall in love with Im Sol. She is his fate. Seon will always be there for, even if it kills him.
It's just like Seon Jae says, some choices you will always make. Even when you know the consequences (in this case Seon Jae's death). Because you like them. ✨️
This show gives us so many heartwarming moments. Seon Jae isn't just a green flag. Hes a green forest! Filled with nothing but love. Endless love for his Im Sol.
The ending of this show is perfect and represents SolJae so well.
Even though Sol goes back in time one last time and breaks the link that connected her and Seon Jae - as fate would have - Seon Jae took an instant liking for Sol when they cross paths again in 2023. And he falls in love with her again.
They way they showed Seon Jae gaining all of his memeories of all of the alternate timelines is beautifully done.
Im Sol that went through time and space finally succeeds in breaking the loop and is able to give Seon Jae a chance to live a long healthy life - with her by his side.
I love all of the parallels in this show. From their high school days to their college days to finally in 2023.
💯/10 for me. This is my favorite kdrama of all time! It'll always hold a special place in my heart.
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It is PERFECTION
MDL needs to add a once-in-a-lifetime rating of "11 stars" because this drama would be 11 stars in every category.Everything about this show is perfection. It's so perfect, I'm actually sad, because no show will ever be this good again. And the ending. THE ENDING!! I've never watched such a satisfying ending for any show. Ever. The ending was beyond satisfying. SO GOOD. (sorry for all the random shouting, but THE ENDING!! AHHH!!!)
1. Story: PERFECTION. 11 stars. I was on the edge of my seat with every episode, I never knew what was going to happen. Do you know how difficult that is with a time-slip? With a romcom? Every trope was used and subverted at the same time. I am in awe. And the dialogue? Chef's kiss. Perfection. No line wasted. This is the very first time I've ever watched a show and was glued to my screen every moment. So many twists and turns and plot threads to weave together. The biggest twist in my opinion is at the end of episode 2. If you're not addicted to this drama after the end of episode 2, I would be shocked. SHOCKED!
2. Acting / Cast: MORE THAN PERFECTION. ∞ stars (infinite). Whatever is past perfection, that's the main couple of this show. They united the world, including Knetz, and we are all actively rooting for them to have their own HEA. The behind the scenes clips are *almost* as addictive to watch as the show, that's how amazing their chemistry is.
And the acting is so beautiful. I was fully engrossed in a time-slip, fantasy romance. I believed every minute of it and the actors sold and served. UGH! I can't say enough. I've never seen anything like this in a Kdrama before, and I've watched a lot of Kdramas.
3. Music: PERFECTION. 11 stars. In case you didn't know, the lead actor actually sung the 5 ECLIPSE OST songs and they are now on my permanent top favorite playlist. The rest of the OST is so beautiful. Other standout songs for me on the soundtrack: 'Like A Dream' by MINNIE and 'Spring Snow' by 10CM. The rest of the songs are also beautiful and so good. But the 5 ECLIPSE songs and these two are perfection.
4. Rewatch value: MORE THAN PERFECTION. ∞ stars (infinite) While it was airing, I think I re-watched the earlier episodes every week, or more than once a week. I've never done that before. Not once. And, not just that, I didn't fastforward older episodes, I watched the whole dang thing each time. And I know I'll re-watch this drama often in the future because I already miss it so much. *cries*
5. Overall: MY FAVORITE KDRAMA OF ALL TIME: My other favorites include Healer, Alchemy of Souls, and Goblin if you want an idea of what this drama is up against. This one wins, hands down.
Seriously (and sorry, not sorry) but if you don't love this drama as much as I do, I'm not sure we can be friends.
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Rom-Com Fantasy at its best!
For me, Watching Lovely Runner brought back memories of watching kdramas way back 2000s.It has the right amount of romance, comedy and the acting was very good. I started watching because I'm a fan of the Female Lead. As expected, Kim Hye Yoon nailed the role. Surprisingly, Byeon Woo Suk is a hidden gem. From Swimming to Singing and Acting. Both of them complemented each other. Their chemistry is on fire!
Moving on to the supporting cast, they did also a great job. They have strengthened and cemented more the story. This is the first K-drama wherein i wasn't annoyed with the villain (aka taxi driver) hahaha.
I have watched the drama for the 2nd time and now repeating eps 13,14,15 and 16.
Happy watching <3
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Classic romcom for korean drama fever
It's been a long time since I had a fever like this. It's really a disorder at one point, i was so hyper fixated tell me how to move on from this drama.Initially I just needed a distraction from watching QOT, and therefore I needed a lighthearted show. God was I blown away from all the surprises? The pilot eps were the birth of a masterpiece. I was hooked in the first 10 minutes when Sol and Sunjae exchanged heart wrenching yet hopeful dialogue when he tried to console Sol over the radio. The scene made me bawled so hard it crushed my heart so bad thinking about my beloved idol who passed a few years ago. I kept watching and could relate to the anguish Sol felt when Sunjae made that decision. I stayed thinking I loved the melancholic pieces it offered. (I think i signed up for romcom but okay). But the epilogue on ep 2 - I then knew the drama will be the death of me.
Throughout the journey there were never boring moments with solsunjae. The plot, subplots, fillers all are thoroughly planned, carefully written, beautifully crafted. It stayed to its fantasy romcom core yet you will cry and laugh and root for all the characters. There were never dull scenes, all the scripts and scenes are full of layers of emotions and foreshadowing. Turns and turmoils with sorrow and comedy. Amazing pace with each and every episode. Being a kdrama fan we couldn't help ourselves with theories and interpretations, but the writer was always one step ahead. The writing is so classic kdrama coded but with a quirk twists. It was very refreshing and intriguing. Ultimately the writer understood romcom - she mastered balance between fluffiness and angst while keeping the plot running and ends it well with beautiful closure.
Another credit to the production. Despite no PPLs, it still managed to get 2nd gen idols for cameos, on top of producing an idol group Eclipse, with a list of amazing songs mini album worthy, and heartwrenching OSTs.
Tbh i never bat my eyes on Byeon WooSeok, but Sunjae is the breakthrough character for him. I am so thankful and amazed by the director insight that trusted him with Sunjae. He made Sunjae so colorful. Given it was his first main lead, his determination and sincerity is so well projected as Sunjae, and imo that's the factor that draws people into. His dedication to portray a swimmer, then an idol turned actor, he must have put enormous time and effort - all this sincere hard work turned out so well for Sunjae it's amazing. I hope he continues to become a dependable actor in SK.
I am a fan of Kim HyeYoon since Sky Castle and i had no doubt on her. As someone who closely follows her works, dare i say Imsol might be the most taxing character she ever played. If Sunjae is the epitome of romcom, Imsol is the melo part of the drama. Her guilt, worry, determination, sorrow, pain are very well executed even i as a viewer had a hard time with lingering sorrow, i can't imagine how hard it must be for her. I know she received so many awards but her efforts as Imsol must be recognized professionally. I am such a fan of her work i hope she will get more diverse genre later.
It is such a amazing journey with lovely runner. The saying cure to monday blues is true. I have never hated weekend and waited for monday as enthusiastic as i had in the past two months. Watched it ended is like parting ways with a good friend. I am so grateful I stumbled upon this drama. I wish I could erase it from my memories and watch it again to enjoy the ride all over again. Definitely it will be on my annual rewatch list.
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The best OTP
I have been watching kdramas since 2015 and for a while I was in a Kdrama slump but this is one of the dramas that took me back from that slump. I didnt pay attention much to Byeon Woo Seok before since I only saw a few of his work, and I am just glad that he got casted for this. He nailed his character so well and his character is literally is a green forest. I am so glad he's getting the shine he deserves.Kim Hye Yoon , my girl, I already know she's gonna kill the role. Her chemistry with her male leads are always on point!! People are all head over heels for Byeon Woo Seok, but she brought the drama to life as well!
The way they just love each other and are willing to sacrifice themselves ugh!! Their acting is just so beautiful, it wouldn't have the same impact if they casted diff actors for this. I just find myself kicking my feet cause of all the romcom moments. They really did well with the writing and cinematography.
There were moments that I was already so done with the plot because it kept repeating and just hurting my feelings but its all worth it.
Lets not even get started with the freaking OST that has been on repeat and makes me want a sunjae for myself that would put a yellow umbrella over me 😭
I dont know how Ill move on from this drama but I do hope they get to work again in the future, though its rare.
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Incrível
Muito bom, me conquistou do inicio ao fim, geralmente eu demoro um pouco para terminar alguns doramas mas eu so nao vi esse de uma vez porque estava em lançamento, todas as minhas segundas e terças feiras foram felizes por causa desse dorama.Kim Hye Yoon e Byeon Woo Seok foram incríveis nesses papeis principais, Hye yoon foi super divertida e entregou tudo, concerteza eu irei ver mais trabalhos dela
Em resumo é um K-drama super divertido e engraçado, me fez chorar algumas veses mais em todos os episódios eu dava pelo menos uma risada, recomendo muito 💗
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This review may contain spoilers
STOP RATING THIS DRAMA SO HIGH???
Dude, I watched this from beginning to end and I’m flabbergasted at everyone’s audacity to rate this so high. This is a 6/10 at HIGHEST. There’s multiple plot holes, and a bloated storyline that wasn’t even inside the original content. The MC is absurdly dumb, it’s hard to cheer for her when she just gives me second hand embarrassment at every turn. It’s like self harm watching her react to situations. Don’t waste your time, don’t trust social media. It’s just eye candy. All actors are fine, the MC’s script I’m assuming was awful. It feels like people are getting paid to rate it so highly.Was this review helpful to you?
Though I did not like how the story leads to, it was overall lovely and funny!
Lovely Runner delivers a true rom-com moments and up-beat-ness which I enjoyed for the most part. The characters are likeable, very bubbly with laugh-out-loud jokes a lot of times, especially the ones involving the friends and families. It was interesting and great to see the story through different timelines without it being confusing – which is essential for a time travel drama. I loved that the couple is cute and trusting of each other. Their romantic scenes were wonderful and were shot beautifully.Well, at some point I started losing interest. I was expecting they eventually would address Sun-Jae & Im Sol's insecurities that we saw in the beginning, but they focus on the murderer involvement. This part of the story was so uninteresting. Every time the episode is about to end, this mysterious guy appear and whatever he does gives no tension. The accident and incidents happening were repetitive so they did not make me care or anxious anymore. Overall, still a fun watch, though, it gave me motivation to look forward to Mondays!
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Bad story with potential.
Screenwriter just don't know how to do a good story, wasting a good premise with characters that are pure stupid, doing the worse decisions only to make the story longer. Childish jokes, adults that act as teenagers, specially Sol, that have a 30 years old mind in high-school, but act as a teenager. The only good thing in this drama is the OST, that is really catchy. If you're an adult with adult mind, run away from this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
