Lovely Runner

2016 nostalgia. Possibly biased.

This drama surprised me: for the worldwide success, as well as the depth that went beyond a simple first love story. More than romance (believe me, it seems that it only exists in the screen), is feeling the fear and taking the plunge, and realising the people around you, possibly never finding out the little things they do when you're not looking.

I never expected a slice of life drama to blow up the way this has. Didn't even watch the trailer before clicking solely for Kim Hye Yoon, and ended up being smitten for the male lead.

Being smacked with 2016 nostalgia (seriously...there's something about the 2016 air that brought the best dramas to memory) is the reason why Lovely Runner is another iconic drama to remember.

Of course, it has its flaws. So many flaws. But this work reminded me so strongly why I loved kdramas in the first place. Why I continued watching after a decade.

It took me back to 2016 back to my high school days, where adulthood hadn't kicked in yet. So maybe I'm biased and Lovely Runner's main theme of time moved me more than it should've.

Works in recent times have been noticed to be VERY disappointing despite the high budget. But LR proved you can have a simple drama (like the old times), and still move the viewer, stuffed with emotions and moments that will forever be embedded in the heart.

3 years of waiting, and the success couldn't be more deserved. Kim Hye Yoon got her co-star, and the role was meant for Byeon Wooseok. The universe does reward perseverance.

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Butterfly effect caused butterflies in my who body

I started the series after the last episode was released and my only goal was to avoid spoilers about the ending, but the article titles refused to cooperate. Even so, I watched each episode intently, and even though I wanted to slap Im Sol and Ryu Sun Jae at times, I loved every scene they had.

The downside of time travel is that when the main character is transported for the first time, we can expect an episode full of awkward moments, because most of the time they think they're dreaming and therefore has no inhibitions. It was the same here, so the first few episodes had me scratching my head, but as soon as Sol got close to Sun Jae, the hour-long episodes suddenly only lasted a few minutes.

By the fourth episode, I wasn't sure if things were tangleding or unraveling or both at the same time. The further I got, the more confused I became, but at the same time it all made sense. Everything. Amnost every single detail that happened in the story, and it doesn't matter if it was in the past or the present, somehow affected everything that happened. The butterfly effect was displayed perfectly. Yes, I found some things not quite clear, but they didn't really relate to the main plot.

The story was incredibly emotional. Sometimes I laughed, sometimes I melted, sometimes I screamed and sometimes I cried. I fell in love with the main characters very quickly, and no matter what emotion I experienced with them, I really experienced it fully.

I loved how Im Sol and Sun Jae were connected from the very beginning. Their fates were sealed long before the first episode began, and it was only a matter of time before they came together. In any world, time, and universe, they were simply meant to be together and watch out for each other.

And since the story involves a fictitious music group, it is obvious that the story will be accompanied by beautiful songs. The one Sun Jae wrote for Sol is really beautiful and I'll be listening to it long after I finish watching the series.

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A difficult birth?

Maybe this series suffers from the difficult birth it had, with a slow start in production. I think that its origin as a webtoon does show in the characterisation of the lead actors and the way in which the dialogue has a "comic book" quality. It did take me a while to get used to that but it the end it doesn't seem to matter.
The two lead actors, Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon quite simply acted their socks off and all the cast were directed to blend in together admirably. I did struggle a bit with the time slipping which was a necessary part of the story but as an older citizen, I just accepted that I didn't need to know what date it was in every scene and just sit back and enjoy it.
My family has been touched by suicide, related to that of Korean pop idols and I wanted to let your cast and production team know that the storyline is all good as far as I am concerned. Conversations about suicide are always helpful and are not disrespectful.

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I reallly enjoyed it a lot, for the most part

I've read a lot of comments from people who did NOT like it, and I agree on some of the things they say, but most of the things they complain about simply don't bother me. This is a formulaic ROMANCE DRAMA, not a deep character study or social commentary or advocacy film or sci-fi thriller. It's true that the paralyzation didn't get much attention (or the reversal thereof) and the characters aren't super deep and some things just exist to serve the plot without a lot of backstory or examination (or explanation, such as in the case of the time travel). But I did not watch it for any of those things. I watched it for the do-or-die ROMANCE, and it delivers that! The show is ALL about the love between two people, and one character's willingness to do whatever it takes, no matter the cost to herself, to save her beloved. And that is exactly what I wanted!

It did stretch out the achy-breaky angst too much, and the show cut have been cut down into fewer episodes, but even as is, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will most likely watch it again someday. It has really sweet and funny and cute moments, too; it's not all heartbreak. (And there are no stupid misunderstandings that needlessly go on forever!) (Although it does use the "I have to hurt you to save you" trope as well as the "I have to hurt MYSELF to save you" trope--as I said, it's formulaic. But generally speaking, for myself, I LIKE the formula!) And it has a happy ending! The last episode, I held my breath the whole time waiting for disaster to strike again, but it didn't happen, and I got more epilogue from it than I think I've ever gotten from any other Asian drama, and I really appreciated that.

So, if you are like me and you just want an angsty, cute-funny, obsessivish romance story, you should enjoy this one. Just don't expect more than that from it. It's not War and Peace. (Or should I reference Gone With the Wind instead, as a deeper version of a love story?) You get the idea. :)

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PERFECTLY EXCECUTED

I was a little late for this drama..... i get all the hyped for this because IT'S ALL WORTH IT. kudos to bothe of lead because no one can potrayed Sun Jae and Im Sol better than them!

I somehow wonder how can people came up with this kind of plot... like everything is perfect and just like another time capsule story, there's always be suprises each time.

Tapi pas nonton kadang kesel sama Im Sol kaya let the fate be like that.... kaya udah ah diemin soalnya emang takdir kamu kaya gitu... tapi pas udah tamat, all make sense, if im sol didn't do it maybe the happy ending would never be there...

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BIG Surprise...

I was pleasantly surprised by this drama. Excellent all around, especially Kim Hye Yoon. For someone who has done limited lead roles, what an actress.
She has it all:
- Acting = 9
- Appeal = 10
- Role = Character was perfect for her (so the casting director gets 5 stars)
I am not even sure if the casting directors in the KWood world analyze character fit before placing someone in a role because I have seen numerous miscasts since I started watching KDRAMAs 14 years ago. Anyone could have played the male role but Byeon Woo Seok was good. FL knocked it out of the park and kept you glued to the drama wishing the episodes would come faster. I am seriously going to save Kim Hye Yoon on all my Korean entertainment sites so I can make sure to watch her future projects. This young woman is going to be a great actress!

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This drama demands your full attention; otherwise, you might find yourself rewinding to grasp the storyline. Byeon Woo Seok, portraying Ryu Seon Jae, and Kim Hye Yoon, playing Im Sol, delivered outstanding performances. Keeping up with Im Sol’s character was a thrilling challenge—she truly had my head spinning. Byeon Woo Seok's mere presence and his gaze into the camera were captivating. The height difference between the two actors was notable; I hope he didn't strain his back! Kudos to all the actors and actresses for a job well done. I’ll never look at a wristwatch the same way again!

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HEART MORE THAN WARM!

I started enchanted with this drama and ended in a state of grace and with a certain nostalgia. Few dramas have moved me as much as this one, a completely unpretentious drama that, when I saw the trailers, I thought I would ignore and forget. However, after watching the first episode, it was clear that there was a story with a simple premise but with immediate magnetism. It's hard to explain, but I feel full and happy with everything that happened and with this ending that was a "fan service" beyond reproach.

I hope that Kim Hye-Yoon takes on roles that don't require her to mould her voice into a cute and almost childish version. Her serene performance with her natural voice in the first episode was of high quality. Now we need to talk about the actor of the moment: Byeon WooSeok, who gave his body and soul to this role. It seems like he lived every moment of Seon-Jae as if it were his own. Moreover, he is an actor who doesn't stay in his comfort zone and constantly challenges himself. In 12 months, he played a villain and this hero in this romantic comedy. WooSeok is the moment and deserves all the possible praise. By the way, in his scene with the grandmother, it was clear that his crying was natural and authentic, not acting. Hearing that from someone should move you, I was choked up.

I cannot forget the Archangel Michael of this drama, Tae Sung, who protected the couple and put an end to all that anguish. It is worth noting that Tae Sung was excellently portrayed by the outstanding Song Geon-Hee, who is long overdue to be the lead in a drama. He is a complete actor as well. The trio of protagonists did very well, and that's why this drama was successful in Korea and worldwide.

I will miss it; the spring snows will never be the same.

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A Triumph of Writing, Direction, and Acting

If you're on the fence about this show because of the plot, let me assure you: the writing, direction, and acting are absolutely stellar.

The storyline might not break new ground, and that's clear, but wow, the writing is phenomenal. Each character is crafted with such care, capturing the essence of the mid-2000s perfectly. The praise can't be overstated; every character, no matter how minor, is intricately developed.

Now, let's talk about the director. What a vision! The director's intelligence shines through, knowing exactly what will captivate the audience. The direction is gripping, with not a single dull moment, showcasing the director's remarkable vision.

The actors, oh my goodness, words fall short in describing their brilliance in their respective roles, especially the leads. The male lead is portrayed with such depth; the character is finely etched, and this role is a gift to him that he fully embraces. He's not just a good choice; he's the embodiment of perfection for this role.

As for the female lead, there's no doubt she is the ideal choice for the role; her character fits her like a glove. Kudos to her for taking on this role with such grace and strength.

"And she deserves immense credit for believing in the wonderful production team, even when many actors were hesitant to take on the male lead role in this drama. Yet, she persisted and waited for 2-3 years to meet Ryu Sun-jae in real life."

Hats off to the entire production team for their patience through delays and their unwavering confidence in the project. Despite the initial reluctance from other actors, they are a true source of inspiration.

For those considering whether to watch this because the plot seems average, trust me, the plot may not be revolutionary, but the writing is amazing, the direction is outstanding, and the acting is the cherry on top.

I thoroughly enjoyed this work and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a production that excels in every aspect. Don't be misled by a seemingly simple plot; it is the execution that makes this a true masterpiece.

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Finest 2024 K-Drama So Far! This brings back old drama vibes!

At first glance, we all must assume that this drama is just another time travel storyline in which the FL annoyingly chases after the ML. The character's introduction illustrates FL's intense admiration for ML, which lends credence to this early judgment. For everyone who has seen this drama, we can all agree that the turning point in our opinion was when we saw ML's POV at the end of episode 2. From this epic scene, it was the second I knew that this drama was not just "just" a random drama.

The most intriguing aspect is that the 'vibes' I experienced while watching this drama reminded me of the first time I watched Korean dramas; they were amusing, light, and succeeded in making us laugh and feel butterflies in our stomachs at the same time. I watched it for joy because everyone said it was okay to watch, and heellll I spent nearly 7 episodes sitting on a seat! It was too exciting to leave my seat.

The plot of this drama is light; some may argue that it is a cliché plotline with random conflict and a predictable ending. But there's nothing wrong with those of you who enjoy light-hearted dramas about school life. We'll be like roller coasters, laughing out loud, getting excited, and crying at the end of each episode.

The two main characters accurately portray the characteristics of a high school lovey-dovey pair. While many people adore Sun Jae, I am particularly impressed by the image of Im Sol's character; this girl is depicted as vibrant and enthusiastic. Kim Hye Yoon is the perfect artist to play characters of different years in each era. I can't picture anyone else being Im Sol. On the other hand, Byeon Woo Seok is truly destined to play Sun Jae; he and his current popularity when this drama aired are enough proof that he is a superb actor, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors as an actor.

Also, I hope we all find at least one man like Sun Jae in our lives (though this is almost impossible) hehe.

Each aspect of this story makes it difficult for me to forget. The OST for the drama "Sudden Shower" is certainly spectacular! Do listen and feel how Byeon Woo Seok sings this; I can nearly feel Sun Jae's complex feelings for Im Sol every time I hear this song.

Undoubtedly, Lovely Runner is the best 2024 drama so far; hopefully, we will see many more dramas like this. Hands up to the entire crew; despite the hardships they had at the beginning of production and filming, the hype surrounding this drama is well-deserved!

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