This review may contain spoilers
LOVELY RUNNER IS A TOP TIER DRAMA. PERIODT.
Okay, so I've finally finished watching this drama, and for me, it's 10/10. I don't know, because from the first episode it got me hooked because of the fangirl and idol trope, but as time goes by, I suddenly think that this drama is not just for fangirls out there but it's for everyone who has someone they love or who is important to them. As you can see, Sol is one of my favorite characters because I can relate to her, who's willing to sacrifice herself and change the past so that she can save her loved ones from all the accidents that have happened and so they can have a happy life in the present. I think all of us want to go back in the past to change everything and to correct everything. I'm reading all of the reviews here, and I guess some of you didn't get the whole story because you stopped watching at episode 3? I can promise you to continue watching it until the end because trust me, it's more than a romcom drama. You can learn a lesson from it, especially Halmeoni! Just give this drama a chance, and you will get why this drama was so hyped last year. :))) AND MIND YOU, IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I WATCHED KDRAMA. The last time I watched Kdrama was way back in 2023 during Romantic Doctor Season 3... I just came back because of Lovely Runner, and I didn't regret watching it. :)))ONE MORE THING: THE OST. I REALLY LOVE THE OST IN THIS DRAMA. IT'S MY GO-TO SONG NOW, ESPECIALLY THE 5 SONGS OF ECLIPSE.
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Awesome plot, but FL’s acting is a bit much.
The story is seriously awesome, with a plot that keeps you hooked and subplots that add depth. It’s the kind of stuff that really grabs your attention. But let’s talk about the FL – her acting is just too over the top. Actually, she’s always like that in most series she’s in, including this one. In my opinion, she shines the most when she plays the villain role.Now, about the FL’s character... It felt a bit off in the first couple of episodes. Like, the writer couldn’t quite figure out what to do with her. She came off more like a crazed fan club of the ML with her obsession that drives her to do quite a few embarrassing things. I almost gave up on the show at the start because of this sasaeng-borderline behavior of the FL, but it got better after that.
And I gotta mention about the ridiculous details in the first half. For example, when the house gets on fire, the FL's brother help a girl out of the house by going up to the roof of the building without extinguishing the fire when he still can. Ok, not only that he doesn't stop the fire, but when escaping the fire, who would go upstairs to trap themselves when it's possible to go downstairs out of the building?? And there's this scene where the FL and ML see a rainbow that appears on the same side as the sun – that totally goes against science. It’s like the production team has no basic knowledge and common sense.
But despite all that, the plot is solid. The ML is very charming. I ended up enjoying the series a lot.
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This review may contain spoilers
Laughter, tears... and a bit of anger.
I started this drama after a couple of months without watching any dramas, and it has basically been a breath of fresh air in my life. I must say it's perhaps a bit nostalgic, I suppose because it's been a while since I've seen something with such a beautiful and adorable romance.But I can't deny that it's been a rollercoaster of emotions, both in a good and a bad sense. I've laughed and cried in the same episode, and I think they've balanced the sad and comedic scenes very well, placing them at just the right and necessary moments. However, I've also felt quite angry, especially at the ending of episodes 13 and 14. I was very upset because of this episode; I think the direction the story took was unnecessary, and I know I'm not the only one who was upset with how they developed this part of the story.
(SPOILERS HERE)
Firstly, SungJae didn't have to die, I mean, he wouldn't have fallen off the cliff if Sol or the police had run towards him, but for some reason Sol stayed still, and the police gave more importance to the killer than to the person who was about to die. Perhaps he could have been saved at the hospital, but no. Second, I really liked the main character, but at many points in the story, I felt she was very selfish, not thinking about what he wanted but only about what she wanted, especially at the moment when she goes back to the past and definitively decides to change the fact that he met her in the future. She thinks it's for the best, but it's not, and he gets a little upset with her, and rightly so; he didn't want to forget about her, no matter what.
Finally, I really enjoyed the final episode, starting from the beginning with the pesky killer and giving us a dose of sweet, beautiful love with a touch of comedy, which is what we needed to finish this wonderful drama.
Some were expecting something softer, full of love and comedy, so they were surprised by the serial killer twist. In my case, I was pleasantly surprised; it's not something that displeases me, and as I've already said, I think they more or less managed to balance the moments.
It's been an incredible journey, so I would definitely recommend it, even if people get mad at me when they reach a certain episode, lol.
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the love/hate reviews
Its a hate/love kind of feeling.I get why there's so many mixed reviews about this drama, some of it I loved, some of it really annoyed me. I felt so frustrated at some points but then it warmed my heart other times. The characters were really immature (especially the FL lord help me) and the communication between them was terrible. It put a dampener on their chemistry because It was so needlessly frustrating at times. The plot had holes everywhere but I tried not to poke at them, just watch this lovely drama with a blank mind and a forgiving soul.
Byeon Woo Seok did an incredible job as an actor and a performer. It was a fun and sweet drama, Overall I would still recommend it and the music/soundtrack is great!
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Perfection All Around
This drama is so freaking good!I honestly would’ve loved to see the adaptation have some more of the original plot regarding mental health struggles. I think that is an important topic, and it still would’ve had a happy ending.
the actors were phenomenal. the chemistry between ALL the characters was incredible. the 2nd male lead was portrayed well and I’m happy he didn’t get left out in the story. no one did honestly.
my first BWS drama where he’s the ML and he killed it!!! Top 10 for me.
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SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE AND HEARTFLUTTERING i have been really into it!
A cringeworthy ROMCOM DRAMA FANTASY I'ver ever watch this year, eventho the plot too formulic or not something new about Top Idol Ryu Sunjae who died early, And Im Sol, his fan, ends up doing timeslip to when they were in high school n tries to protect him. About people who against the ill-fate between them.I think if 'yall want something well serve romance-trope, and well-serve romantic narrative yall gonna like it. i told u this is fantasy romcom ofc too cliches. but something i can't deny to keep watch its how the executed very well on the beginning episode to showing us OH THIS IS HOW WE GONNA CONVEY YALL SIMPLY TOO SEATED AND BACK AGAIN FOR HEART FLUTTERING ROMANCE.
I LOVE IT when the writer Lee-Sieun described SECOND MALE LEAD KINDA VIBE ON THE MAIN MALE LEAD! there was surely another second male lead in this drama. BUT they chose to make it the story only for the main male lead and female lead ONLY! ITS LIKE IMSOL AND SUNJAE WAS SOULMATE AND NO ONE CAN break them apart.
I LOVE IT when all of the point of view every character shows really well..
(-) but, its kinda rushed on the half into ending episode things its so unhinged...small details that i kinda really dont like it.. something missed.. they can actually add up some another narration to consistenly build the plot from EPISODE 1... but that small details not really THAT BIG PROBLEM...PROBABLY OKAY..
THE SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE AND THE POWER OF CHEMISTRY BETWEEN KIM HYEYOON AND BYUN WOOSEOK. OH GIRL! u can't deny it! HAVE FUN AND WATCH IT!
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This review may contain spoilers
WHERE CAN I FIND A MAN LIKE SUNJAE
WTFFFFF im actually head over heels for hIM. WTF. LIKE EVERY SINGLE TIMELINE HE LOVED HER. AND NOBODY BUT HER. AND WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HER. AND I LOVE HIM UGHHH. HE LOVES HER SO MUCH AND I DIE. EVEN AFTER FOREVER. I LOVEEEEEEEEEE SUNJAE. that was crazy. i think legit #1 of all kdrama men i’ve watched before… THAT IS WHO I WANR. THE PINIINNNGGGG!! WHEN HE FIRST HAD A CRUSH ON HER!!!! HE FALLS FIRST AND FALLS HARDER. BRUHH and how he makes excuses to see her and UGH the crush stage was so. so good. i didn’t like im sol tho like the main girl uses that damn baby voice and she was just kinda dumb. THIS DRAMA WAS SO FUNNY THOOO i audibly laughed out loud many times!!! but i just didn’t like the main girl. lowkey if it was someone else this would be my fav drama, but sunjae UGHHH let me be her wtf. putting that in my manifestations. also the songs were so good. and also WTF why does every romcom have a damn murder subplot it’s so not fun. what was the reason the guy went after her?? had her phone??? no explanation on that part… and wb her in a wheelchair? it just ended like that?? they should’ve touched more on that. loved the relationship w the grandma tho so sweet. ok that’s it byeWas this review helpful to you?
Story and Acting was superb...
Loved the chemistry between the lead actors. The story was well put together. Just didn't like the way the Im Sol had to keep putting off telling the truth to the Ryu Seon Jae. It just made me irritated, but however, it was all part of the suspense of Kdramas.Communication is always the most important in any relationship, and there was so many loopholes in this regard.
Loved this drama. Well done.
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You Will ALWAYS have to root for SOLJAE; 2014-2016-2020 K-Drama vibes
As I expected, I did not find the antagonist’s story good enough. I really wish there was more to it for it to be more believable because why in each timeline, he is there to somehow target either Im Sol or Sun-jae? I think it could have developed better if they didn't just pull the "because he is just a psycho & kills". Either that or used different antagonists and circumstances in each timeline, but I know that it would probably make this "light drama" heavier than it is.The usual problem of romance & fantasy K-dramas is really using the fantasy aspect to the plot’s convenience, making the “world-building” unbelievable. By that, I mean the time travelling part can be changed as it goes on and there can be inconsistencies.
Those are the reasons I’m giving this drama a 4-star instead of a full 5. Despite it, I believe I’ve enjoyed it enough to disregard it, because the goal here really is to have THAT kind of ending for these characters. It is cliche; it follows a usual formula and you definitely want these two leads to end up together because, really, THAT IS THE POINT!
Overall, the pacing is ok but it can still be done in at least 10 to 12 episodes. The cast and acting is great. The two female and male leads have an exploding chemistry; the 2nd male lead also has great chemistry with the two which makes the drama have good bromance and love triangle. Lovely Runner woke me up from a drama slump and I miss dramas like this.
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this will be your all time best k-drama
this drama is 9/10 for a drama but def 100/10 for re-watch value and the emotions it left behind. They were beyond cute . The cry the laugh, I remember seeing seon jea's love through his eyes . Greenest character of k-drama history. Still remembering the name of character, this ıs also so rare for me.This drama has no boring episode, none . I will re watch this for sure probably every year:) the Male lead is my favorite, his facial expressions and mimics made this drama this good. So happy that he was chosen for this role. No one could have been played better..
Don't forget this is a "drama", there is no time travel in real life and they don't have to make it reasonable or prove it scientifically.. Just enjoy the story. Trust me you will live longer, stop hating everything, enjoy little happy moments and cute dramas, there isn't many of them...
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the best kdrama of 2024
I really loved this kdrama, I cannot explain all the emotions and feelings that I experienced while watching it, the story was beautiful , the acting was amazing, the ost is something that I will always keep with me, I completely fall in love with Seon Jae and Sol, they chemistry was so pretty, like in all of the scenes they had together, it made me feel like I was third wheeling, I could watch this kdrama a thousand times over and over again and never get bored or tired, for me ‘lovely runner’ was something really special, I will miss them 🩷💙Was this review helpful to you?
No bad episodes, start to end
I love this drama so much. Lovely runner made me cherish every moments watching the drama, whether I am crying or laughing, or falling in love, every scene with Sun Jae and Sol was so wholesome. Their love for each other transcend time and space. The actors bring lots of energy and emotions that felt through the screen, I tear up every time Sun Jae hold Sol so tenderly, my heart just melts. Please watch this show, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.Was this review helpful to you?
