i think people should appreciate Lovely Runner for a nostalgic romcom about fated lovers.
they keep everything as it should and balanced them all together. the romance is romancing, the comedic timing is excelent and the angst is there just for the right amount, definitiely the highlight of 2024 kdrama line I must say. this is truly one of the best drama i’ve watched in a LONG time.anyway i feel BAD for the people WHO WATCHED THE DRAMA CUZ OF THE HYPE ALONE, because having that mindset would certainly reduced the experience itself. also to the hater down below saying this drama is overhyped you truly DON'T UNDERSTAND how long it has been for kdrama lovers to feel this kind of tingling feeling all over again the dopamine rush in my boring life?! just please skip this drama if it’s not ur cup of tea, don’t comment unnecessary things.
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Honest Review: Not Perfect, yet one of the best of 2024!
There have been moments in my 18 years of drama-addicted life, where I have been obsessed with a drama - its plot, actors, characters, scenes - to the point that made people question my sanity. But never have I come across a drama, that too airing, that has impacted me so much from Day 1 like Lovely Runner! I hardly have time to sleep/eat managing my work-personal life, but for this show - I decided to throw it all away to engage in MDL theories, comment and even create a Insta page dedicated to this show!Now that you have got an understanding of obsession, and I know this is going in the HALL OF FAME as one of the best K-dramas I have seen till date BUT it is IMPERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL. Hence, please read my un-biased review of this drama:
❤️ Ep 1-10 - Literal Perfection
Heart Fluttering Romance ✔ | Well-Timed Comedy ✔ | right amount of fantasy, suspense & angst ✔ | Music that heals ✔
Basically these episodes had sugar and spice - think of everything that you like in a drama, irrespective of genre, and Lovely Runner has it. The hype it initially created deserved every bit of recognition - and everyone in the cast and crew gave it their heart, which made the final presentation something to look forward to even on dreaded Mondays!
❤️ Byeon Woo Seok & Kim Hye Soon
I cannot even begin to describe the love & pride I feel for these two. Those who are acquainted with their journey would understand how long it has taken for them to be recognized as main leads in this industry. They literally breathed life into their characters - making the chemistry palpable that I won't be surprised if they share they are dating IRL. I think when we say that you cannot imagine anyone else doing these roles OR their character names is recalled more than their real names - it is a testimony of a job fabulously done. They were both amaJING and unbelieBUBBLE and I cannot wait to see them in new projects. Literally the example of #onwards-and-upwards - I am rooting for their success & happiness, and grateful that they took this project and gifted me with such a beautiful experience & memory.
❤️ Music:
I really love how they used the plot story and band - Eclipse and released the OST. Really love these kind of witty nuggets - am such a sucker for it. Thinking from a business perspective - this opens so many doors for BWS who has sung these tracks - to host concerts or sing in his fan meetings. I guess the sharp minds of the industry and agency must have already thought of it.
But I feel the main track - Sudden Shower (Sonaki/소나기) is so damn beautiful and I loved how catalytic it was in the plot.
Other favorites: Spring Snow by 10cm, Like a Dream by Minnie. Already a part of my playlist, and I know it will stay for long.
Now, onto what could have been better? Ep 11 and onwards
Please note that I write this with the mindset of "WABI-SABI" i.e. Beauty in Imperfection. The drama is still is great, but it is not without flaws:
✘ Character Development:
Harsh but true - the leads were uni-dimensional, having only one goal throughout FL wants to save ML, ML is all about puppy love for FL. Not bad per se, but by stretching this overkilled what was initially cute, heart warming, toe curling into fillers. Even the support characters (brother/best friend, In Hyuk, Tae Seong, FL & ML's parents) & villain were not judiciously used to their potential. They were enjoyable whenever onscreen, but the same kind of comedy due to repeating timelines killed the initial excitement thereby not leaving with the greatest impression.
Had this been a 10-12 episode drama format, it would have more impactful, as the repeats/fillers would have not been there. I quote this from a fellow MDL user, Kate's review: it did seem like that they ran out of what to create, in the second half and therefore repurposed many of the epic scenes in new timeline packaging. (Read her review here: https://kisskh.at/profile/Shini/review/363193)
❤️Overall
In the end - the anticipation and fun that we had as we watched while it aired might not be felt by those who binge it. Hence I am fearful the high ratings we see now, might dwindle. But honestly, this has been a very refreshing, feel good, guilty pleasure drama (thirst trap - included: BWS shirtless scenes, them veiny forearms & hands, long fingers, ability to catch a woman by her waist - OOOHLALALA!) but mainly a show that has after a long time: made me smile in a way that split my face in half or snort like a goofy person at the antics the drama characters played. And what else do you want from a drama : Other than the fact that it makes you feel happy from the bottom of your heart! Lovely Runner did that and more and hence recommend it to be watched at least once ❤️
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Solid typical K-drama with a time travel twist
If anyone were to recommend a k-drama to get into k-dramas, this would be a good one.It has the modern day green flag male falling for oblivious distsy female, with a sprinkle of second lead. And can't forgot a random thriller twist that all Korean romance dramas need to have! In this one, we have a psychopath who is out to kill the male lead.
If you watched Someday or One Day, the Taiwanese drama, the time traveling kind of reminds me of that. But they were able to incorporate their own flair to time traveling to make it so clever and binge-worthy.
It's crazy this one psychopath serial killer affected their lives so much. A little too draggy for me. And as a result, there was way too much filler for me towards the end. I couldn't even watch the last episode cause I know it'll be filler. It's not a romance k-drama without a random cute date of visiting stores and winning plushies! I also couldn't stand the female lead and her siloed decisions. She is literally the (lovely) runner.
The music, is phenomenal.
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1This review may contain spoilers
Perfect Romantic Comedy with All the Right Elements
As someone already mentioned here, it's literally one of the rare gems of K-dramas. The series has everything that's necessary for romcoms and K-series in general:✓ Great from start to finish
✓ Green flag main characters
✓ Interesting plotline
✓ Happy ending
✓ Suitable cast for the characters
✓ Focus on main characters with minimal focus on side characters
✓ Beautiful OSTs (Sonagi and Spring Snow!!!)
✓ Green flag second male lead
✓ Many more things I probably forgot to mention
It had many emotional scenes, but overall it wasn't depressing at all, so it's perfect if you want to watch something to feel entertained and feel like you're a teenager again, kicking your feet, lying in bed giggling, and blushing out of adoration for the characters.
literally 10 out of 10
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My favorite kdrama
I was surprised to see so much reviews that disliked this series so I made an account just to support my (current) favorite kdrama.First of all, I admit there is a bias here. I love Kim Hye-yoon, and she was the reason I started watching this. From the first scene, I was hooked. She was crying, and I was crying with her. I was satisfied with her as always but I held back my judgement because I don't know how the ML would act and how good their chemistry would be. I also wasn't too fond of the plot because I feel icky about idol and fan romances and also because I thought it was another run-of-the-mill romance trope with an aloof guy and a sweet cheerful girl. That was my impression throughout the first episode up until the second, except the viewers were hit with that plot twist at the ending. And my first thought was I shouldn't have doubted Kim Hye-yoon at all. The second thought was how the hell am I going to have to wait for another week to see the next episode? And from that, the rest of my Mondays and Tuesdays of the following weeks are filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. Whenever there are happy moments of the main leads, I am also happy. When they are sad, I'm also sad. This drama just hooked me like that up until the end.
It's not a perfect drama by all means but it was definitely one for me. I love the characterizations and I understand the decisions they made, no matter how frustrating it is. I like how the writer ultimately treated all the characters with love. Everyone got their happy ending in the end, and the antagonist was also dealt with quickly. (This drama's last episode is the best last episode period). Another feature I like is how many parallel scenes they have and spotting them was like finding an easter egg to me.
I guess I'm just a sucker for mutual redemption tropes. The love they have for each other is so pure and selfless, it makes me want to love wholeheartedly like that too. And also the fated lovers trope, if I may add, which is the cherry on top.
I'm also happy that the plot didn't steer to a dark story with a fan saving her idol from depression and ultimately committing suicide. There were concerns from other people at the start because of that so it was good that it didn't become that story. Because if I wanted to watch a genre like that, I wouldn't want romance mixed in it because that should not be in the romance category at all. It is too heavy and serious of a topic to do.
But I think the magic of this series is the community it made of people gushing over this drama. I watched this from the moment it aired and the moment ep 2 ended I immediately went to the kdrama thread of this at reddit (which I have never done before). I wanted to see the shock other people had as I did and their anticipation for the next week too. And on the following weeks, I had fun reading the different theories they have for the time travel. And I think the way the writer handled the time travel was their message on how the viewers should treat this drama. Don't overcomplicate it, love wins all. And sometimes, that's just what we need. No complex time travel rules, no big misunderstandings, no frustrating push and pull of love, just two people getting together despite everything.
I also want to add that the strength of this drama was the romance of the main leads. Their chemistry is undeniable. There were so many sweet moments of them, I am just so so happy seeing them be happy. They were not stingy with their kiss scenes too, which I'm totally satisfied about too.
Ultimately, I get why this became a popular drama and I'm happy that it did because I think it deserves it. I laughed, swooned, cringed, and cried all throughout the series. I am not a romantic by all means but it made me feel long-lost feelings of love and happiness again. So for the ones who take the chance by reading this too-long of a review (more of a rant from me), I hope you would be happy too. And for those who don't, that's totally okay because everyone has different tastes and it's understandable to have feelings of dislike for whatever reasons you have.
(Speacial mention for the ost because all songs were great, with one from 10cm which is one of my favorites. You know it's a hit when you see 10cm in it 😌)
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A Masterpiece!!! PLEASE WATCH THIS DRAMA!!!
Oh my god!!! Where do I begin!? I'm crying happy tears right now!!I have NEVER cried happy tears at the end of a k-drama before!! How do I live onnnnn! I'm gonna miss this show so much!! This show was fantastic!! I genuinely don't know why some people didn't like it!! This is coming from someone that spends all their (my) free time watching dramas from all over since like 2017.
When I say this was the most unique drama yet, I mean it!!
MAJOR SPOILERS!!!! (You've been warned!)
This was the best story plot I have seen at least in all of 2024! It was complex and unique but also absolutely hilarious all at the same time!! The acting was on point for this type of drama!! They nailed the timing for comedic relief when things got too serious without it being oddly placed! I found myself crying and then dying laughing soon after!
I can't even count on one hand how many times I cried throughout the entire drama (IT WAS A LOT!!!)
They tied off all the loose ends in the drama at the end which I LOVE! (The only thing I'm confused about is where did the watch powers come from??? And is the grandma the cause?? Is she some sort of magical being?? She seemed to know a lot more than they lead off!)
I felt the relief being lifted off my chest when he proposed and she said yes. They went through SO much to live happily ever after!! She had to watch him die tragically like 5 times!! Having to go through that once is already too much, but that many times!? That's insane! I don't even know how she herself lived through all that...
I fell in love with this drama and It will now be going in my top 5!!
ALSO can we take a moment to appreciate the fact that Byeon Woo Seok (Ryu Sun Jae) sang all those songs himself!? His voice is BEAUTIFUL!! I will be adding this entire OST to my playlist ASAP!!! These songs were EXTREMELY well made!!
I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS, THIS DRAMA WAS AMAZING!!!
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Very interesting plot only for it to breakdown halfway towards the end
Just for disclaimer i was both of the leads fans, but being a fan doesn't mean i can't critic their work ok.I already watched this drama before it became the hot topic over the neighborhood lol, it was because i like the fl and the ml previous work (sky castle and 20th century girl). I was so crazy about it when episode 2 was dropped, i was gagged and it got more exciting.
But the disappointment hits me at 10ish episode, because there was no character or even plot development at all. The plot losed it focus when they started to date i think. I know the main point in this drama is to save sunjae, and this drama is a romcom, but i really really hope that the fl and ml could have more bond with other characters too. I think it got to the point that other characters are pointless(?) and written just to fill the void. The ml's world is only imsol, he will do anything just to be with imsol, it's like he has no character at all because his decisions are easily influenced by his loved ones (imsol) (i know it's a romcom but come on... you can be lovey dovey while doing other things too). Same goes for the fl... It's like their character couldn't care less about other people if it's not about their gf/bf.
And the fl character is bad written imo, thank god hyeyoon saves it with her acting. She's supposed to be 30s yo woman trapped in higschooler body, but she even acts more childish than the highschooler could be. I know sol's character main purpose is to save sunjae, but she's too careless, has no plan, and just couldn't think straight (and i can't relate to it maybe that's why i can't empathize with her character).
Overall the acting was good enough, and the chemistry was fire. But there were probably some parts that's not really enjoyable to watch. Idk if it's because sol character is bad written or whatever it's, but sometimes the "i'm shocked" in sol's face kinda unnatural and i could tell that she's trying to act there, but other than that it was just great.
It's just my opinion, yall could try to watch it if you're interested, because i swear the few early episodes was dope tho ngl.
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Unbeliebubble and Amazing Leads with an Isekai Twist!
Story:The drama is based from a manhwa called best of tomorrow! The drama is well written with the perfect balance and ingredients of romance, comedy, suspense and a bit of a twist. True to the manhwa, our main lead accidentally isekai'ed to the past and given an opportunity to work on changing fate. Filled with lovveable characters and heartwarming romance. I love the fact that they've given more depth on our female lead and showed us the reason why she truly became a fan. The drama has also showed us the male lead's POV and its truly a gem to watch and see how their story unfolds.
Cast
As Im Sol's words, UNBELIEBUBBLE! HAHA! The chemistry from the two main leads down to the supporting cast is truly awesome! My screen was on FIRE from the chemistry of the main leads. The characters navigate the past and young love, pure and intense is both entertaining and suspenseful. Reminiscent of the olden day.My heart kept thumping and made it beat like how I've fallen in love for the first time. I love that the characters remain true to their little quirks and personalities. Example is that when Sun Jae woud like to hide, he always uses the blanket, how he is always a go getter from trying to pursue to act, or win a mobile device, to be with her in one room or act on his feelings when his older.Their dynamic is so n'sync and that I felt I truly live in their world!
Music
Is 10/10. It encapsulated the drama's pacing, funny and unforgetable moments. I have the songs as a favourite in my playlist.
Rewatch value
This is worth a rewatch and I've recommended this to my friends. I've watching it for the 2nd time this weekend! Truly a gem!
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im sorry for the person im gonna be
there's a lot of things that i wanna say about this drama because the more i watched it the more i started to force me to finished it and i couldn't. i watched half of the 14th ep and i decided to watch another thing 💀i'm not gonna talk abt the acting cuz idk abt those things but instead i'm gonna talk abt sol's character. she pissed me off so bad, she just did things that i didn't like and she was just doing it for stupid reasons. that time where she made the guy from her career eat the mouthwash just because she didn't want sunjae to see her??? and the fact that she wanted sunjae not to fall in love with her and okay, i kinda get it but why would you say that if you're gonna cry and start to date him suddenly?? doesn't make sense. sol needed to make up her mind SO BAD i bet she also didn't know what she was doing
i also didn't know when was the time that sol felt something for sunjae because in 2023, she told him she did but did she really? when was that actually? /gen like, i never noticed that (i think it was when sunjae asked her if she didn't feel anything towards him at any of those times she was in when they were at her house)
also, can we talk abt the crime subplot?? if there's something i hate on romcoms dramas is that mf crime subplot like, why?? if i wanted to watch a crime drama i would. and please don't try to excuse them with the "it's because she couldn't walk" okay i get it, but there's so many options for that, she could've just get in a car accident-
speaking of which, there were a lot of drama at some point because of the guy that abducted her, sunjae confessing and sol's mom at the hospital?? 🧍🏼♂️
even tho i gave it a 6.5 i won't say this was a bad drama. like, i actually enjoyed it and it gave me a good chuckle and, if it wasn't for sol's personality i would say sunjae and her had a good relationship, it was cute and all.
btw omg i loved sunjae's personality. he was so cute, he really liked sol and he was so down bad for her. i love when the male leads are a losers <3
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Ratings and the series quality are opposite to each other
How can this have such high rating!!!For the first time, I can't understand how Lovely Runner has a rating above 6 stars. The story is incredibly repetitive, making it a chore to watch. The acting feels forced and often grates on the nerves. Even though the drama involves time travel, it frequently abandons basic everyday logic and common sense whenever it suits the plot. This lack of consistency ruins the immersion, making the experience more frustrating than enjoyable. I expected much more.
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Took me out of my kdrama slump
Was surprised that the good reviews have been buried by the pile on of bad ones. Not here to rain on their parade though because it's a matter of taste anyway.Just glad that this drama took me out of a very long kdrama slump. It's been years since I'm invested in a drama. I remember being this enthusiastic watching Goong, Coffee Prince, My Name Is Kim Samsoon, City Hall, Secret Garden, Queen Inhyun's Man, and Crash Landing on You. So this is a treasure for me. The drama is not without flaws, but I love it for using all cliched tropes and subverting everything into one that is both endearing and heart shattering. The music is top notch, and the chemistry between the leads is the best thing that ever happened in a while. I love watching them both do their thing and create something good and something that makes me feel warm. You cannot fault both MCs trying their best against all odds even against destiny and time to save the one they love. I wish to have this kind of love in this lifetime.
And while waiting for that one great drama again, I'm just here lurking in cdramaland. Wish me luck!
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My All-time K-Drama
Seeing the bad comments that came out, I thought it would be good for me to write this review, based on the perspective of someone who likes this drama and loves rom-coms. Until now, I haven't been able to move on and continue to watch short-clips about LR on reels, as proof that I really like the drama and not just because the actor is handsome or the actress is beautiful. Hehenggg (〒﹏〒)(First of all, sorry if my English is bad. I'm still learning.)
First, Story.
From the start, the audience was taken to dive into Sol's life, who was initially depressed because his legs were paralyzed, where she finally received encouragement from an idol, namely Ryu Sun Jae. The storyline is just right. Not too fast or slow. Viewers can enjoy both the rom-com side and the sad side. When watching the drama, there will definitely be theories emerging about what will happen next. I think it's fun.
Second, Acting/casting.
I think everything is spot on. I could feel the various emotions expressed by each actor, not just the main actor, but all the actors really played their roles according to their portions. I think this is indeed the most important point in this drama. If the choice of actors was bad, this drama definitely wouldn't be as popular because they couldn't portray the characters appropriately.
Third, Music.
I loveeeeee all the soundtracks. Until now I often listen to it on shuffle on Spot1fy. I think this statement is representative enough without me having to explain it more ( ꈍᴗꈍ).
Fourth, Rewatch value.
I think this drama will be good enough to rewatch on holiday. Suitable to watch when someone needs entertainment after facing a tough life. Or whenever that is.
There are definitely pros and cons. But if there are people who hate this drama, it's not wrong if I love this drama, right?
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