Lovely Runner

Tomorrow's Best

Lovely Runner is based on a web novel titled Tomorrow's Best. I personally read the manhwa while the series is on-going I can see that they made some drastic changes from the story. The manhwa is less complicated compared to the series, but I like the changes they made on the story it actually adds up to the uniqueness of the drama. What I really love about Lovely Runner is that it never fails to make me laugh every single time. I like the balance of the show's theme it's a combination of comedy, romance, thriller, mystery and drama.

Aside from this the cast did so well that their acting felt so natural, all of them deserves to be recognised for their versatility and they played an integral part on the story. The villain did his job so well that I almost wanted to be included on the story just to choke this guy. I would also like to point out how I love Baek In Hyuk's character, he's the best wing man ever. Ryu Sun Jae would've been a forever simp without the help of this guy. I am looking forward to Lee Seung Hyub's future drama where he'll be the leading man, I bet he's gonna be a great male lead since he already showed his exceptional talent in Lovely Runner.

Kim Tae Sung's character is also my favorite from this drama, his character development is the most noticeable among them all. He unknowingly fulfilled his promise to Im Sol that he'll protect Sun Jae in the future. It's just kinda sad that we didn't get to see a glimpse of his back story.

Read More

Not worth the hype

Was excited about this drama because I saw the potential in Byeon Woo Seok from Record of Youth days and was anticipating another hit like Start-up. A even-paced drama that shows emotional growth and turmoil, underdogs succeeding in life, complex navigation of relationships, and maybe themes of self-acceptance and gratitude perhaps.

What we get instead is a promise that is never fulfilled. The first episode set us up for excitement and anticipation for a deep dive into the many issues in modern day society that could resonate with so many people, yet the topics are disappointingly, never explored.

1) Let's start with the obvious thing that disappointed, which was the drama showing us a suicide of a well-known celebrity (ML)suffering from depression. You think, oh god, this drama will definitely hit close to home as a nation who has lost a lot of celebrities and whose fans are still in mourning till now. You are eager to see how they will portray the events that led to such a tragic end for such a gentle spirit, how the character develops the illness, and how he might overcome it as well. The intricacies and challenges faced by celebrities who are both loved and hated, and the loneliness of these people who usually hide all the signs, struggling on their own to either come out of the darkness, or get engulfed by it. The scene where ML kindly asks the FL (who we think) is only a stranger at that point, 'Why are you crying, I never made you cry?' followed by his suicide not long after, literally broke my unguarded heart! This was the scene that made me decide on following this unique storyline. But the writers decide against allocating any time to delving into the psyche of such a character, and chooses to focus on a serial killer subplot to drive the story forward instead.

2) FL has a disability and she is shown in a wheelchair, losing a chance to get employed because the building where she applied for the job has no wheelchair access. You think awesome, we're going to see how this character lives day-to-day and get a realistic perspective on the challenges she might face as a disabled person living in such a beauty-discriminating society. However, this also gets thrown out the window once a travel back in time changes her fate. It's as if the wheelchair was just there to satisfy an arbitrary box that needed to be ticked on a 2024 what we need to do to show that we are a progressive kdrama kind of inclusion checklist.

3) We think, because both leads have incredible set-ups as characters faced with a certain level of adversity, that we will be graced with well-written scenes showcasing character growth and fortitude. No such development takes place and what we get are just repeated visits from a two dimensional eye-twitching serial killer who doesn't have much of a backstory either.

3)We never understand why the ML likes the FL. The incomprehensible attachment that the ML has for the FL does not make any sense to me. With the 2ML we at least get hints that he is suffering from lack of attention from his family and we can UNDERSTAND why he would like the FL. In the face of the 2nd ML, the FL is a little eccentric but has moments of maturity, and loves to nag and support him, showing him the care and affection he so desperately yearns from his parents instead. They have more workable chemistry than the ML has with ImSol because we get that he likes her for her and accepts her crazy ways and seemingly bipolar personality, while with the ML we only see that he was mesmerised by her because of the way she ran towards him in the rain with a yellow umbrella...?? Enough to make him move next door to her? The scenes they shared with each other also didn't convince me that he would not date anyone until 30 because he was holding onto the memory of her... Why? What was so special about her that he could not let go? As the audience, we are only sold on why she might have liked him so much (because she still carries the memory of him having thanking her for staying alive, with that becaming her motivation to live when she was at her lowest point). But what of him? It's 15 years... And they never dated or went through anything exceptionally monumental, so what was the pull?

4th) I feel that the two leads lack chemistry. I like them separately as individuals, but they are lacklustre together.

5th) Plotholes - FL can change some things, but not others... the inconsistency made it hard to stay immersed in the story because there was not a consistent basis for cause and result.

6th) it seemed like all other characters were irrelevant or unimportant to the story so it didnt really feel like a story anymore, just a show forcing us to like the main characters as a couple even though they had nothing to work with.

The good : The first few episodes were nicely done with good humour borrowing music that I remember from that time to poke fun at over-dramatic scenes that were a feature of those dramas back then.

Byeon Woo Seok is handsome, kind, and softspoken.

Kim Hye Yoon does what the role requires and does her best to not be annoying. She is not preoccupied about how she appears on screen, delivering emotional scenes without the baggage of worrying about whether or not she looks pretty doing it.

You never get the vibe that Kim Hye Soon or ImSol is trying to seduce the ML and that in itself is a big deal bc so many actresses and actors go off tangents and forget that they are there to portray their character properly, not to give us some perfunctory facial expressions as a smokescreen to enjoy cosplaying with their costars or simply indulging in the design of the character.

But the negatives outweigh the positives and this is nowhere near as satisfying for me as other kdramas ive seen such as Signal and Start-Up. If they wanted to avoid disappointing viewers, the writers should not have made the protagonists out to be more interesting than they actually are. Whats the point of having an amazing pilot only to disappoint everyone after a few episodes? I think I have outgrown kdramas for now and until Kim Seon Ho returns, I have little interest in trying anymore of these superficially written "hits".

Read More

a

"Lovely Runner"** è una serie televisiva sudcoreana del **2024** che ha come protagonisti **Byeon Woo-seok** e **Kim Hye-yoon**¹. La trama ruota attorno a **Im Sol** (interpretata da **Kim Hye Yoon**), una ragazza di **19 anni**, nota per la sua bellezza e i suoi sogni ad occhi aperti. La sua vita prende una brutta piega quando subisce un grave incidente, lasciandola paralizzata. Miracolosamente, Im Sol viaggia indietro nel tempo di **15 anni**, ritrovandosi nel **2008**, quando Ryu Sun Jae (interpretato da **Byun Woo Seok**) è ancora uno studente delle superiori di **19 anni**. La sua missione diventa quella di cambiare il futuro di Sun Jae e, forse, trovare l'amore lungo il percorso. La serie esplora il tema del destino e dell'amore che sfida il tempo³. Solleverà i tuoi sentimenti e ti terrà incollato allo schermo! 📺💫

Read More

Enjoyable Romantic & Dramatic Comedy Series

"Lovely Runner" is a standout Korean drama that left a lasting impression with its clever writing and well-crafted plot. While there were a few areas that could have benefited from deeper development, especially the side characters and the comedic timing of the side characters were not enjoyable or well executed, the overall storyline was consistent and thoughtfully drawn out across the series. The main characters’ flaws added depth, as their motives, desires, and goals remained unwavering and relatable throughout the show. The two main actors delivered stellar performances, making the drama not only believable but also deeply engaging, as they roped viewers into their characters' thought processes and emotional journeys. Byeon Woo Seok made audiences believe, without a doubt, that his character was brimming with love and dedication from start to finish—conveying that the world was better because she existed, and that the moon and stars hung on her every smile and presence. The love and connection between the protagonists were the true highlights, setting this drama apart from others in 2024. Kim Hye Yoon, in particular, shone brilliantly, bringing the series together with her nuanced and captivating performance. "Lovely Runner" is a beautiful blend of heart, intellect, and emotion, leaving an indelible mark on the year’s slate of dramas.

Read More

A strongly decent and slightly overrated drama

Despite the title, I did enjoy this drama, I really did. I've had my doubts, throughout the course of my watch, mostly because of a few writing decisions, but I ended up liking it in the end. However, based on other people's perception of the drama, I don't think it's that good, as many people say it, some say that it is the drama of the year, which is a WILD statement, but then again, I feel like the dramas this year a bit lacking, so who knows. So let's go over this. I did enjoy the story, I was a bit vary at first when I learned that it is a time travel drama, It's not like I dislike them, but they tend to yolo some of the story elements quite often, and I also did see that here aswell unfortunately, but far less than what I am used to which is a good sign. I enjoyed the interactions, between the leads, and seeing their relationships develop, I especially loved the fact that this wasn't a fan and star story, but rather than a story about friends turned lovers, and I especially loved seeing both Pov's, because it made it even more wholesome. The time travel aspect of the story was a bit inconsistent, especially when it came to the rules of what our female lead could reveal to others in the past especially when the plot found it convenient, I was like, "WHERE DID THE TIME TRAVEL RULE GO?" The one thing I hated the most about the plot was the antagonist, if we can even call him that. It felt like he was a plot device, rather than a character, because we literally knew nothing about him except that he was a serial killer, we didn't even knew why he was obsessed with Im Sol and Sun Jae, so throughout my watch I looked as him as a plot device rather than a character. I also did enjoy the fact that the story jumped through different timelines, and time loops, it made things fresh, though towards the end, I felt like it was a bit overdone and got repetetive. There was also a love triangle, which thankfully wasn't the point at all, and had little significance. I also liked the fact that they made the ML engage with the time travel idea, I think they could've and should've done more with this, but I'm just glad they included this, because frankly, I wish more time travel dramas would. I also enjoyed the ending, I think it was a fitting one for the characters. I had a bit of a problem with the acting however, I found the female leads's acting especially cringe at times, and especially her brother and best friend, sometimes I hated when they were on screen. The one thing I loved the most about this drama was the OST, it was so freaking beautiful, and gave such a beautiful aesthetic to the scenes, and I found myself singing along sometimes, which was funny to see. Overall even though I enjoyed this drama, I really wouldn't say that it's the best one this year has to offer, but I still think you should watch it if you like the time travel concept (and don't mind the plot being messy sometimes), with a good romance.

Read More

"SUNJAEAAAA"

Alright, just finished watching and I'm going directly to the point: 8.5 cause byeon woo seok, ost, thematic.

I've seen maaaany reviews talking about how the plot could've been different, where the female lead would've been way less childish and the male lead wouldn't had been a golden retriever type of boy.
Yeah, in my opinion Im Sol was really childish, and couldn't even think of a proper plan to stay with Sunjae without avoiding him or without him being killed at the end.

I know that she tried (poorly, sorry) but she gave up so easily... even Sun Jae and Kim Tae Sung (whose lost their memories completely) were the ones who saved the whole situation (Kim Tae Sung mostly)

Furthermore, the villain (i guess we can all agree) was so bad portrayed. Like, is there anyone here that cared about his presence? Actually, he didn't even had a presence LOL😭
He could've had been way better, but i completely forgot about his existence cause for me, he just wasn't there.

But wait, there's more! Sun Jae's friends were...hmm unnecessary. I mean, just like the "villain", they could've had been useful in many aspects, but they weren't.
Im Sol's family (besides her grandma) didn't added much to the story too.

And coming back to the plot, i got sad when Im Sol were able to walk again. This phrase feels awful but i think the story could've been such much better if she stayed in her wheelchair... It would be included and it would give her a stronger personality.

Regardless, i cannot deny that i laughed A LOT, mostly because of Sun Jae!
C'mon y'all, his expressions and reactions were everything! His golden retriever energy that I've seen that many of you didn't liked, was the cherry on top for me.
Plus, the OST were amaaazing!!! I liked almost every damn song.

Finalizing, actors were 10/10 Woo Seok is wonderful and Kim Hye Yoon too, but she would definitely shine if Im Sol were a less drama queen and childish character. Song Geon-hee (Kim Tae Sung) did really well too and his character deserved more.

Read More

Lovely Runner is for those who are looking for something to FEEL.

Sometimes in life, all we need is a simple and healing kdrama that will heal us regardless of its shortcoming. 'Lovely Runer' is a solid 7.5 for me. It took me long to watch this kdrama because of the hype, it gave me this image that it is cliché since many are hyping it. But nah, it is actually worth it. This kdrama would absolutely feed your needs as a kdrama fan. No criticism, no looking for plotholes, no judgement, just watch it without finding its imperfections, maybe those are the reason why is this kdrama an absolute OKAY for me. Maybe not all are perfect and not for the standard of everyone, the beauty of kdrama is to give us an opportunity to see the beauty of life.

Lovely Runner was an easy watch. This is good if you're not finding for a Perfect kdrama but rather looking for something that will make you FEEL.

We all deserve a Ryu Sun Jae I believe. ❤️‍🩹

Read More

10/10

It was perfect, the actors were so good they really did justice to the characters. This has been one of the best romcom drama I've watched so far. Hyeyoon was really amazing, I've watched her since extraordinary you, she did an amazing job on this one, Wooseok also shine the brightest here among all the dramas he starred in, I can say this is def one of his best. The story was well written also, I cannot determine how i'm feeling during some of the scenes, my mouth was open laughing, my eyes were full of tears and my heart aches. I felt a lot of emotions all at once, and it has been so long since I felt something like this. I cannot get over this drama, it was literally perfect.

jus want to say that all the actors did very well, even the supporting actors were really good!

this is a must watch for me. 10/10

Read More

The drama that brought me back from my kdrama slump!!!

Lovely runner definitely of the most SATISFYING kdrama romcom, because let’s be real romcom is the genre that Kdrama thrives, and LR definitely delivers. 🥹🥹🥹

The intricate details, the comedic punch, and the poetic parallels they pull across different timelines. Like there’s nothing new under the sun but somehow this drama still feels extremely fresh 🥹🥹

Like any other time travel drama, of course it is not perfect, but it still exceeds way beyond expectations. Who would have thought that a drama about a parasocial idol relationship could pull your heartstrings.

It was still a perfectly cast drama, nicely paced, not trying so hard to be overly complicated, it is just enough for what it is, a beautiful, fun and nostalgic. Looking back at their iconic scenes (and their songss!! OMG), definitely going to be a classic K drama staple for a long time.

Read More

One of the loveliest drama ....

Writing review after ep 10
it has a strong staring ,but the first two episodes can seems like a typical time traveling plot or mixture of several time traveling school dramas. But this is not the case .....this is one of the best time traveling drama I've ever watched .....
1) the romance is top notch. It will give you butterflies. I don't actually have patience to watch lame romance dramas. But this is different. I giggled and smiled whenever ml and fl being together.
2) the male lead!!!! Ryu SeonJae is the best greenest, simp and softie male lead I've ever seen. Nope he's not your typical cold , stone faced male lead. He got crush on our girl , he smiles, giggles, through his feet in air and stuff his face in pillow thinking about his crush. Of course he tries to stay cool and not being obvious.....haha .... I loved the fact he didn't misunderstood Im Sol and believed in her even after her past self cut relations with him . He still loved her and waited for 15 years.
3) the female lead ---- yes the female lead is adorable. She's also a simp for him . She's balanced . She got a positive character .
4) the Humour !!!!! LoL it got me fall out of chair . The comedy is soo good . Like her thinking the bridge as bridge of hell , the adult DVD, him being jealous, Im Sol passing through his dad by shouting future events, Sunjae pulling out chili plant instead of weed by overthinking...........there are countless moments that will crack you up.. LMFAO..
5) Anxiety:::::::: you're gonna have good anxiety attack..... There's not a single dull moment so far . The sad moments are soo heart breaking .like Sol can't change her past self and she has to come back to future and her regrets for misbehaving . And Sunjae got rejected (forgotten) by Sol, while she had feelings for him!!! Then their reunion in ep 10!!!
6) the plot: the plot is deep and intense... And the name makes sense as our fl has to run from past to future to save the ml . This is not very light hearted drama .... But a mysterious plot that unfolds in every single episode .the best part is there is youth school romance, mature/ modern day drama romance as well as collage romance and each part is soo sweet that can give you diabetes.....+ Each era 's kissing scenes hits differently.
7) the acting:::;;;; the acting is soo good . The comedy or embarrassing moments could have ended up giving cringe if it wasn't done well . BWS ' s portrayal of Sunjae is out of the world...the emotions, smile , pain in smile , mentally being disturbed or comedy everything is too good( first time watching Byeon Woo Seok and I became a fan). ....the ost , cinematography everything is done so well !!!
8) disclaimer :you're gonna ride on a pile of emotions while watching this.

**Things I didn't like:**
1) Im Sol being unnecessarily childish . Yes mental retardation can happen after a accident but as a 34 years old behaving like a teenager feels awkward sometimes ...
2) As the mc of this drama, I don't understand why her character got no life goal or bigger ambition after getting back her legs . This drama is too focused on saving the ml . Yes having idol of life is good thing but we should focus on our own life too ......
3) first 10 episodes are absolutely gold (9/10) . but after that things started to become draggy and repetitive , I don't understand why Im Sol didn't make a proper plan and was just taking action passively.....
**Finally**
If you are looking for a sweet romcom with a good story , If you are ready to simp for BWS and KHY [ they're really cute here ] , a green flag fluffy male lead ,
I absolutely recommend this drama. I expected much more but still it's good and is very sweet. Not a single drama is flawless. And lovely runner worth your time...

Read More