Lovely Runner

One thing is for sure, you’ll want to carry SunSol and run!

Lovely runner is a cute drama, has a lot of fluff and the leads have great chemistry. This drama isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for something mature or more realistic you could skip.

I like the time loop/time slip concept. I’ve seen it in ‘The Call’, ‘365 repeat the year’ & ‘signal’ and maybe that’s why I liked this one as well.

I’ve seen a lot of reviews saying that 30+ year old ‘Im Sol’ doesn’t act her age. Honestly, 30 is just a number. I’ve realized that after having reported to 30+ year old managers at work who are super immature, still figuring out life yet shameless enough to advise you on how to live your life 🙄. I think Im Sol is way better, loveable and quite realistic.

This is the first drama I’ve seen Byeon Woo Seok in. I didn’t think I’d like him much, Idk how to explain this part… I guess I didn’t think he was that good looking (not hating, not sure what I was thinking, I’ve forgotten how I saw him before lovely runner) but he really grew on me. I think he is extremely charming as an actor. He is so charming that he can make you change your mind 360°. The guy can act, sing, has a presence and can make your heart flutter. Now every time I see a picture or video of him, I smile at my phone like a crazy person. Kim Hye Yoon played a similar character in Extraordinary you, which is also one of the reasons why Lovely Runner was written. She carried that drama (EY) but got very little recognition for that compared to the male leads. KHY has done well on this one as well. I think BWS and KHY have really good chemistry and shine equally in the drama. I’m glad they’re both getting the recognition they deserve.

I like the osts. I listen to Sonaki at least once a day while commuting.

This part contains Spoilers

The story itself isn’t something new. To me it feels like a collage of a few existing drama’s stories. For example, in 365 repeat the year, Nam Ji Hyun has the same disability and goes back in time to change that. The characters make you want to continue this drama more than the plot itself. I do believe some of the other characters felt a little incomplete and could’ve been explored more. Overall still a good watch.

There are 2 scenes that I didn’t like in the drama
1) The scene where Sol’s friend and brother are arguing and the kitchen is set on fire. It doesn’t make sense that they don’t smell the smoke or realize that a fire has broken out when they’re right there.
2) Sol decides to stay back at the village without a plan and deal the stalker on her own when she could’ve clearly avoided that and maybe the future would’ve eventually followed the same events that took place in the past which would’ve been better for her as she already had a plan to nab the stalker. But maybe it was her desperate attempt to break the vicious cycle of the stalker chasing her only to eventually kill Sun Jae.

A lot of people feel the stalker/killer guy had an anticlimactic ending but I kinda agree with what Kim Tae Sung says in the drama that these serial killers shouldn’t be glorified and given titles like evil, these people are simply trash. Trash doesn’t deserve a climatic ending, they deserve to be forgotten.

To conclude, I think the characters would shine even more if the story was written a tad bit better. If you’re not a budding philosopher who looks for logic and realism in everything then Lovely Runner is easy to watch, fun and leaves you with happy memories. It has a good ending and loveable characters. I wasn’t bored and this drama made me happy. Sol and Sun Jae go through a roller coaster ride to get their happy ending and you will want to carry them on your back and run.

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A heart-warming yet heart-wrenching series

I waited for this one to end airing so that I could make myself a marathon and it was so good!

Let me tell you, I really love my fluffy romances and looking at the poster I never thought how many tears I'd shed because of the story. I had some moments where I could relate from my personal life too, even conversations that I've had, and that hit home too hard at times тт.тт

ML and FL had a good chemistry and personally I think they re-enacted the characters exactly how they were supposed to be. Side characters were also interesting and fun to watch! From acting stand point, I think it is very decent. I first watched Byeong Woo Seok in Record or Youth and I'm glad to see how much he improved ~

Тime travel is not a new concept, however they made it so interesting here and the story felt quite refreshing as well. The series were shot so well and aesthetic, such an eye-pleaser! The music too, one of the best OSTs of the year for sure ~

I definitely recommend to people searching for youth, first love, wanting to fix regrets from the past, and a little suspence but also happy ending for their next watch.

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Yes, it is overhyped...

Let's start with the worst: The Story
Once you truly reflect about this drama, then you will be aware, that the story is lacking. Neither time travel nor the motive of the villain is truly explained. For the villain, they just could have added one scene as an explanation. And the whole time travelling left us with thousands of questions. We don't even know how this whole world works, where the story is happening. But also Sol as a 30+ years old travelling back to a highschoolers body, didn't behave the way one would....

But aside from the story, everything else is perfect (or at least for me). All the actors did a wonderful job, making "boring" characters lovable and charming! Especially FL & ML portrayed the emotions so well, one could feel all the pain and heartache! Their chemistry was great!
The music was phenomenous! While "Sonaki" is a very beautiful love letter, "Spring Snow" sums up the whole drama wonderfully. "Like a dream" is also one of my favourites!

Would I rewatch it? Absolutely! It is sooooooo hilarious! And the romance is very good, got me grinning and kicking like Minmin!

So, why is it overhyped? For a romcom, it's a great series! Fun, lovable and rewatchable with great acting and music. However, for a series, it is lacking (as previously mentioned). So, the more you look into reasoms and try to analyse it, the more you will realize how imperfect this series is. Imo it was a great choice to neglect the background of the whole time travalling, instead of coming up with a not good enough explanation, that would have ruined the whole vibe.

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Good but the second half was unnecesary

TL;DR:
A heartfelt time-travel romance with strong emotional moments, good acting, and a compelling twist — but the second half drags with unnecessary plot padding. Still, it’s a memorable ride.

The drama begins with Im Sol, a girl in a wheelchair who lost her will to live after an accident left her disabled. One day, while listening to a radio talk show featuring a rising boy idol group, she unexpectedly gets through as a caller. The group’s leader, Ryu Sun-Jae, gives her heartfelt encouragement — a moment that becomes the spark she needs to find purpose again. From that moment on, she becomes his biggest fan.

Years later, Im Sol finally gets to meet Sun-Jae in person. But mere hours after their encounter, she’s devastated to hear the news of his sudden suicide. In a desperate attempt to see him at the hospital, she races there in her wheelchair, only to fall into a small river — along with the special watch she believes belonged to Sun-Jae. When she reaches for it, something strange happens: the watch “glitches,” and she wakes up in her high school years, in the past.

The rest of the story follows her attempt to change the past and save Sun-Jae from his fate. Along the way, she reconnects with her younger self, learns more about Sun-Jae’s life before fame, and discovers that he once loved swimming — until an injury ended his dreams. She tries to protect him, hoping that saving his passion might also save his life.

Then comes a major twist: Sun-Jae already knew Im Sol long before she knew him. Not only were they childhood neighbors, but he was the one who saved her during the accident that changed her life. While Im Sol always saw herself as just a fan, Sun-Jae had loved her first — quietly and selflessly.

Eventually, after failing to stop his death, Im Sol chooses a different path: she rewrites the past to avoid ever meeting Sun-Jae — believing that her presence is what led to his tragedy. But Sun-Jae, even in this new timeline, begins to recall memories from the previous one, leading them both to a bittersweet yet happy ending.

Strengths:
The core romance and emotional beats are genuinely strong. The chemistry between the leads works well, especially with Im Sol's arc from fangirl to someone who deeply cares, not out of obsession, but out of gratitude and respect. Sun-Jae, meanwhile, balances charm with emotional vulnerability — a highlight of the show. The soundtrack is fitting and adds to the emotional tone. The second male lead also stands out more than expected, delivering a solid, grounded performance.

Weaknesses:
Where the show falters is in its final stretch (episodes 10–12 and beyond). Instead of ending at a natural emotional high point, the drama adds an unnecessary murder-crime subplot involving a persistent stalker. This twist, while intended to raise stakes, ends up dragging the story and adding melodrama that didn’t need to be there. The emotional impact of Im Sol wanting to save her bias — not just as a fan, but because he saved her — was strong enough without tacking on a suspense thriller angle.

There’s also a gimmicky feel to how she avoids interacting with Sun-Jae during her second trip to the past. The emotional weight would’ve hit harder if the show had focused more on their connection rather than hiding behind misunderstandings and memory resets.

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Wonderful and believable chemistry that carried it

I’m not super picky with my dramas. I generally like tropes and enjoy a huge variety of styles.
For me, the two leads’ chemistry is what kept me watching. I loved how comfortable they seemed to be with each other and nothing felt forced. That part was endearing to watch (even during the happy couple moments I found myself smiling when typically I feel those lovey-dovey times in dramas can get over the top and annoying).
Overall the serial killer trope ruined a lot of it for me. I feel they could have had a wonderful story without that aspect entirely and I found myself rolling my eyes any time he was involved. As a result there were several large plot holes left that would have benefit from having more focus.
I don’t regret watching it. It was cute for what it is and I really appreciated the wonderful chemistry as well as the starring of some of my favorite secondary actors, but it lost a lot of points relying too heavily on tropes to propel what otherwise would have been a wonderful plot if given a bit more thought

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? Lovely Runner – A Refreshing, Heartwarming Ride Through Young Love ?

Lovely Runner truly stole my heart. The cast was perfect, and I’m especially a fan of the main lead—he portrayed his emotions so sincerely. What touched me most was how he fell for her first, but she ended up falling even harder. The emotional depth between them, the way he acted brave around her while being soft inside—it felt so real, just like how we are in real life when we love someone deeply.

This drama beautifully showed how love often means letting go to protect the other person. But when love is real, it finds a way—no matter what. Their dedication, their connection, their youthful emotions—everything felt so refreshing and genuine. It made me feel warm, happy, and full of hope.

A must-watch for anyone who believes in second chances, true love, and the magic of fate. 💖

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Worth the watch, I guess

So as much as this show made me want to pull out all the hair on my head, I have difficulties being harsh about it. For starter, the positives ; The ost of this show is simply incredible, most of the song by the fictional band Eclipse are on my daily rotation now lol. Also, the ml and fl acting is really believable and they have a pretty good chemistry, this show was really strong when displaying their love for one another, they are many really, really cute scene with them. As much as I want this show to be a 10/10, it’s not. The story felt so stupid at times, the reaction and decision of characters felt to predictable or on the contrary , so stupid that it’s unbelievable I still liked this drama that much. If you want a cute story with a beautiful ending but that will make you question your sanity at times, I recommend!

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lovely runner ??‍♀️

Where do I even begin?!
This drama SLAPS SO HARD. It's not just about a girl going back to the past to save her idol — it's about finding true love across timelines, about sacrifice, fate, and never-ending devotion. 🥲

The Heart of the Story:
She didn't just save her idol — she found her love. And what hits the hardest?
Both Sol and Sunjae sacrificed their lives for each other — again and again.
Like seriously…
Which guy would love you in every timeline?
Which guy would willingly give up his life for you?
YOU TELL ME. WHO?!
Sunjae is such a loser for Sol — and I mean that in the most heart-fluttering, swoon-worthy way possible. 🫢
Where do I find someone like him?!
No matter how hard Sol tried to avoid him, fate brought them back together — every. single. time.

✨ Themes That Hit Deep:
This drama beautifully explores:
How fate is inevitable — even if you run from it, the ones meant for you will return.
The cost of love — Sol carried so much pain just to protect Sunjae.
The idea of memory and love — what do you choose: to remember and hurt, or to forget and be at peace?

💬 Best Quotes:
“Was it my memory that I lost? Or was it you?”
“Was there such a thing like predetermined fate? Something we can’t change? If there is, then my fate is that we fall in love in every timeline we meet. Sol-ah, I love you.”

🎶 Best OSTs:
Run Run – ECLIPSE
You & I – ECLIPSE
Sudden Shower – ECLIPSE
No Fate – ECLIPSE
Spring Snow – 10cm
Gift – Ha Sung Woon

Final Thoughts:
Lovely Runner is more than a time-slip romance — it’s a story about love that endures through pain, time, and fate.
They always find each other.

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In the track of my heart, you are the only runner.

Lovely Runner it's undoubtedly one of the best dramas of 2024.

It has all the elements that make a drama a mega hit: comedy, romance, time travel, well written characters (both leads and supporting ones) and an engaging plot line that never bores you. Starring Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok, adapted from the web novel The Best of Tomorrow by screenwriter Lee Shi Eun and directed by Yoon Jong Ho and Kim Tae Yub, the Lovely Runner team achieved a perfect execution in front and behind the scenes.

I think the true star of this drama it's the writing and on this I can't commend Lee Si Eun enough. I had already seen her potential in dramas like True Beauty but here she really manages to shine through a well crafted, smart and cohesive story with no loose ends. I'm incredibly impressed by her talent.

The writing was perfectly complemented by the directors's outstanding work in leading a film crew that was on every detail of each part of the story, in each timeline, never missing a beat. Always delivering their A+++ game. But there was also great work done from the directors part in helping the actors get the comedic timing exactly right, the more emotional scenes to deliver and the team work among cast and crew to be flawless.

This might be a big hit now, but it's actually a sleeper hit because the lack of promotion this drama had was embarrassing to watch and if it wasn't for the devoted fans, studio executives would have never realized they had a gem in their hands. So, Lovely Runner it's not only a great drama with a super fandom that really fought for this story, it's also becoming yet another prime example in the list of films and tv that achieved all of it by themselves because artists delivered nothing short of excellence.

On this point I can't ignore the incredible performances given by the entire cast. Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok are definitely the standouts, they stole the show, this is their story and the actors chemistry it's electrifying. But the way supportive actors would show up in a scene and push the story forward in a coherent way and even make it better, it's wild to me. The chemistry this cast had it's a rare feat for an ensamble cast and how they managed to transition seamlessly through different phases of their characters's lives and relationships when events, in each timeline, were changing because of the things our leads did they still remain truthful. So, not only the leads are well developed in this drama but also every single character that shows up, no matter how small the role is.

The best example of this it's actor Heo Hyeong-Gyu who has been working for sixteen years, playing very minor characters, finally having a breakthrough in the industry because of his role in this drama. And while his presence was prominent and important to the story, he barely had lines. So his entire performance is mainly based on micro-expressions or physical stunts.

I also fully expect the actors like Song Geon-Hee, Lee Seung-Hyub, Song Ji-Ho or Seo Hye-won to receive a lot of what korean entertainment industry calls "love calls" aka commercials, dramas and films, among other things.

Experiencing watching Lovely Runner alongside the fandom, waiting every week for a new episode, it's a big part of what made this drama so good. Healthy and good loving fun people, clowning, poking fun at our faves and crying at heartbreak. It's been a long time since I have been able to engage in this way with other fans and I am thankful for them, the cast and crew for all these amazing weeks of fun.

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