Lovely Runner

surprisingly engaging story in a timeworn genre

I was half expecting a silly high school teen idol story & was half prepared to drop this show. I was only curious to see Byeon Woo Seok again after seeing him in Strong Girl Namsoon & thought I would just check out the 1st episode or two. My goodness what a pleasant surprise this turned out to be. It's along the same level of pleasant surprise as Legally Romance, another story about a woman returning to the past to change her fate. It's actually not a teen story because it's told from an adult perspective.

Kim Hye Yoon plays Im Sol, a 30 y/o woman who travels back 15 yrs in time to try to prevent a trajedy from happening to her first love Ryu Seon Jae, played by BWS. As things don't quite turn out the way she hopes the first time, she figures out a way to travel back & forth for further attemtps to affect different outcomes. In the course of storytelling, I find the more times this happens, the more muddled things get & too many questions arise about just what the heck is going on. Some characters seem to retain memories you wouldn't expect them to if the time travel didn't involve them. Did Sol return to the past at a point before or after she told certain people certain things? I couldn't keep track. Sol also gains new memories from her new timelines, but the editing made it a bit confusing to follow. Finally comes the question of whether fate is strong enough that if things don't happen one day, will it happen on another day, in another way? And wouldn't that apply to all events, including trajedy?

You'd think the theme of going back in time is so worn out; how can it possibly be retold & still be entertaining? The strength of this drama, I realize, is in the skill of weaving in the developing relationship between Sol & Seon Jae. Sol drives the teen relationship with her 30 y/o maturity, & what she doesn't realize is SJ's own maturity which was far beyond her clueless younger self. Equally impressive was the steady & consistent performance of KHY, who could convey so much of Sol's conflict & hesitation without saying a word. I've read that KHY is not receiving as much attention for this drama as her co-star, which is itself very sad to see as she is the true star of the show. (Addendum: as of Aug 2024 it's reported that she has won an award for this performance).

I'll just add a short comment on the depiction of disability, which I've yet to see portrayed as anything other than worse than death in an Asian drama. Seeing Sol's independence while in a wheelchair, but being denied job opportunities because of inaccessibility which is no fault of her own, it might've been an opportunity to make some sort of statement by having Sol advocate for accessibility, especially since she ends up working at the place that initially rejected her. I was actually excited at the thought of a show featuring a disabled lead character, but alas the show was not up to that level & I decided to let this one go for now.

One of the co-writers of this show also wrote for True Beauty, a show I was far less impressed with. This show was quite entertaining overall, and with good performances. I've rated it higher than I might normally with this type of fluff piece, but only because it was nicely shot, had more than a few truly funny moments, and raised interesting questions about fate. If I had to compare, though, I'd say Legally Romance is a better show.

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kinda overrated

To be honest, I dropped this drama because it was boring.

The plot was boring, like too fast but too long too. that's what made it boring.

All of the characters are also a bit boring tbh. not saying that their acting is bad, but the characters are just lacking.

maybe i'm just a hater to a misunderstanding plot, but yeah. all i can say is this drama is soo boring :/

I dropped lovely runner at episode 11 because I couldn't continue anymore. the plot isnt plotting ://

but for the ost, quite listenable. especially sudden shower n spring snow. the only good things from this drama.

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This drama shows how important it is to show someone that you care

I really liked the story of this drama, as someone who has unfortunetly lost someone to suicid the thought of going back to save that person is tempting. I've read other reviews claiming this is fanfiction, fanatasy etc and in my opinion Sung Jae falls in love with her because she show him how much she cares about him, no one else around him shows him that much care and affection. I think showing someone that you care is very important and I think it's very easy to fall in love with someone who shows that they care - especially if you are not feeling well. Sol's intentions were never to make him fall in love with her. I also think they both end up falling in love because the feel the memories of each other in their bodies, Sol's grandmother says something about it and I think it applies very well to the plot. However, the story gets a little messy with the going back and forth but I think in the end they wrapped it up very nicely. Its also very intresting how she ended up chaning her own fate when that was never her intentions or purpose.

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A lot of mistakes but also very emotional

There were definitely some parts of this show that could have used a second and third opinion. The multiple jumps through time actually just created loopholes and unnecessarily dragged on the show. I think it actually would have done a lot better with just 2 jumps or at least if they just focused on the two main goals of her not getting in that accident, and him not unaliving himself. Instead we got a murder plot that dragged on and then ended really randomly, we got multiple deaths.... like please.

BUT THEN... The romance and the acting was amazing. I felt real heartache for both characters, but especially for Ryu Sun Jae. I loved his character and the way he loves her. It's just so wholesome and it crushed me when they tried to reverse that in Ep.13. I don't know if my hormones are out of whack but I for sure cried a few times.

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Probably my favorite drama ever :)

I literally made an account to rate this k-drama because I've actually never done it.. lmao
When I saw people describing this as something kpop fans would love - when the drama first started out and only a few episodes were out, I thought it was gonna be one of those cringy, unrealistic, obsessive ones. Also, often times they make these love and time-travel dramas so unrealistic and not-human-like so you can't really connect with the characters. But man, was this a journey.. Absolutely amazingly written and one of the best show productions I've ever seen. It makes you addicted to the drama, even though its unrealistical in the *time-travel* aspect, it makes you wonder if you'd do the same if you were Sol, if this happened to you.. if you would do everything to save the person you love. It has a beautiful message, all the actors are so talented and did such an amazing job. This kdrama is so gentle, it has such funny and bright scenes that you are laughing out loud and it was so perfectly intense in the dangerous aspect and also the relationship between the two main characters was making us feel all the tension. Their chemistry was out of this world.
I truly hope we get to see more dramas like this.

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that chemistry...

Sometimes it happens to find a gem: this show is one. Just finished after a 20hours marathon to watch it in one shot, because after the first episode I just could not stop watching it. Literally. I waited for the last episode to be published on May 28 and I made a good choice. I was fully involved, and felt a lot of emotions, from amusement to sadness, from laughs to sobs. Great story. Great cast. Nice plot. Nice direction.
The two leads were simply adorable. I didn't know a lot Kim Hye Yoon. And she was a nice surprise to me: charismatic, talented, expressive, fascinating and what's about her stunning smile? While I had already chances to appreciate Ryu Seon Jae, who's not just a tall giant, but he's able to show charisma and scenic presence, from the comic till the dramatic scenes. But what I liked a lot was the chemistry between them: simply unbelievable, intense, moving, sparkling. Time has passed since the last time I found something similar. And I can even say when: watching Crash Landing on You and those Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin (who were also mentioned at a certain point). I guess that who wrote that there is not chemistry, well: he/she apparently watched something else.
I liked the plot and how the stories were presented, the personalities of each character, and also the way the other lead and support roles were developed, which often are overlooked. And among them I appreciated a lot the figure of Kim Tae Sung and the loyal relationship he shares with the leads.
Actually the structure of the story do not bring anything very new: this is not the first show seeing the leads wrappend around a story, which happens along an extended timeframe and enriched by fantasy elements. But who developed the plot did a very nice work in making it so intense keeping the spectator literally glued to the screen.
Well done!!

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IM A SUCKER FOR ROM-COM SO...

first of all, my friend was always bugging me to watch this but im not really fun of time travelling concept so i dont feel like watching it at first. BUT!! but!!!! once i started it, I CANT STOP. its the perfect rom com for me, the chemistry between the leads is just so chef kiss that i have to pause every once in a while bc i feel like my heart's gonna burst out of my chest lol

the fl lead was amazing??? so i dont really get those that say she's annoying?????? 😭 she somewhat carried the show, her acting 😩🤌🤌🤌🤌 its not easy to cry every episode

but can i just say the ml is what takes it, he was wrote like what woman want for a man lol he's beautifully written idc about yall i guess im also sucker for first love and destiny??? 😭😭 byeon woo seok the actor that YOU ARE! (im currently so obssessed with him rn, ig i just found my new fav actor)

overall, i love the whole cast! they made a great choice. maybe this drama is a breath of fresh air after queen of tears that is why korea's gp is eating it up so bad rn lol

SO OBSSESSED WITH THE OST TOO 😭😭 crazy how an imaginary band is getting 3m listeners rn on spotify lol. i didn't know that bws was the one really singing those songs, I DIDNT KNOW HE CAN SING?????

overall, i love it, BIG TIME! it made me cry with both happiness and sadness. ig time travelling concept is not that bad? lol i love them both sm 😭 this is like the first time i've been so obssessed with a drama after weightlifting fairy.

those who enjoys rom-com this is highly recommended!

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MUST MUST watch !!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Firstly let me tell you something, this show was considered has non anticipated work (Which shocked me - since i waiting for this show, for close to an year, for it to be aired), had negativity surroundings it, had lack of promotion. But mind you the day the 1st and 2nd episode dropped, it was a game changer. It was like a mic drop it was epic. The acting of both BWS and KHY is top notch and story is so damn good, not even a single boring moment, the chemistry oh man i don't know how describe it, it is soo beautiful that you will just keep asking for more you heart will surely flutter once you see them on screen (Even if you are not into romcom - these 2 ll make you fall in love with them). The comic timing is so good you will definitely have a good hard laugh. Lastly the OST which is one of the main focal point of this show, since those songs speak story of their own about these 2 and add a different dimension to the story all together. Be it backdrops, OST, Acting or chemistry everything is so damn damn good about it. This show is the classic example of "Never judge a book by its cover" bcz sometime when you open those book you will find hidden treasure this show here called "Lovely Runner" is that HIDDEN GEM that world needs to see and feel. Also this show reached it high all thank to fans and word of mouth for giving this show it glory that it deserved 👏 .💙💙💛💙💛💙💛💙

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Byeon Woo Seok deserves notoriety - but LR was just above average; not great

Everyone's favorite drama from 2024; my opinion is it had unnecessary storylines just to make it 16 episodes long. Still, in the end it was worth watching - and enduring the few stupid parts - for a pretty engaging and beautiful story.

The choice of actors for this drama was truly wonderful. And as a viewer who did not find her previous roles appealing, I absolutely give Kim Hye Yoon high marks on this one. Byeon Woo Seok is always great in every role I've seen him, and he was particularly well chosen for this role. If this is why Lovely Runner was everyone's favorite, then I have to agree. I also truly loved Song Geon Hee as probably the most complex role in the series - superbly acted and believable in every scene. And all the other supporting actors and actresses were fantastic.

The ending was beautiful - except for the stupid parts added. But I doubt the writers were aiming at a masterpiece, so I "forgive" them...I guess.

I might re-watch this at some point; it will depend on how many other dramas are out there to engage me. But I certainly recommend this one as a must watch - if only for conversation with your other kdrama watching friends. It's kind of sad not to be able to discuss what you like or dislike when you haven't seen something.

Soundtrack was good; Cinematography also good. Length of series - too long. Quality of storyline - above average but lower than BEST. Casting = EXCEPTIONAL. Director - could have done better directing the female actors.

SPECIAL NOTE: This is by way of comparison.' Lovely Runner' FAR, FAR!!! outperformed another popular drama called 'Love Next Door' which I found a complete waste of time.

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I watched about half of this drama, spurred on by glowing reviews, but even that much felt like a forced march. From the ML instantly falling so hard for the FL that his love endured through years of separation to the way that the FL’s crush on her idol became a reality because they’d known each other before, the romance struck me as kind of tweenies, and immature tweenies at that. I also kept wanting to shout, “WAIT, THINK!,” whenever the FL’s poor self-preservation skills made her do questionable things. Plus, once again South Korea seems to be the serial killer capital of the world. Because it can’t be true love unless someone wants to kill you.

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A Perfect Guide to a Rom Com done so well and right!

I went into this drama blind... And I am coming out of this drama with so much love in my heart for it!

I never thought I would give this drama a 10/10, but here I am giving this one a perfect 10 because this drama deserves it all.. the praise, the rave reviews, the mad obsession and being the talk of the time from start to the finish line.

As always, I watch the first two episodes of every drama before deciding if I want to continue or drop it. First episode went well and I thought ok, this would be a nice rom com, but then episode 2 came and that ending rolled around and there I was... seeing the twist, the yearning, the innocent love and thinking to myself, this could easily be one of my fav dramas if things go well.

I am always skeptical about dramas once they reach around ep 8, since I have seen so many dramas go downhill during the second half and there I was holding my breath and trying not to jinx this drama with my outpouring love for Sun Jae.

Oh dear Sun Jae.... If I start talking about you, then I would get distracted and sound like a broken record, confessing my unrequited love for a fictional character over and over again. The sweetest cutest greenest flag to ever grace on a silver screen. Sun Jae... setting standards miles ahead that from now on, I am gonna compare every rom com lead with my dearest Sun Jae and see if they will ever come close... which I doubt. I don't think there would be a character that could out rival this.

Ahh... he got my whole heart and I think I love this drama mainly because of Ryu Sun Jae. Ok, half bcoz of him but the other half bcoz well this drama was written and directed. There was never a dull moment. This drama made me laugh in every single episode. And episode 8 was my favorite since I laughed the most during that one.

All in all... this drama was heavy at places but then balanced it out on the next and maintained what it does best. Comedy and Romance... and a lil mix of fantasy and this one is the perfect guide for anyone who is thinking of making a rom com in the future.

Ep 16 of this drama was what I hoped Queen of Tears would have had been. This drama did the finale episode so well that it never made me feel like there was any filler scenes, like we find in other dramas especially in the last episode.

I am in a sugar coma... after the finale... and I want to profess my love to my favorite character ever... Sun Jae yah... I love you!!!!!

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