Great pacing and chemistry
If you are debating whether you should watch this drama or not, it's better to just start watching the first episode, then decide whether you'd like to continue or not. And just a piece of advice, if you don't like the actress/actor playing the main characters, then you might wanna double or even triple think about watching this drama. Because if you already dislike the actor/actress, you'll just find everything that they do (including their acting) annoying.Now here's to everything that I love about this drama:
OST - Honestly there's no skip with this one. Everything's great - the lyrics and the melody. One of reasons why I fell in love with this drama.
Cast - We're not going to fight who carried the show here. They all did! No one really fell short in terms of acting. The chemistry between Hyeyoon and Wooseok - amazing. The chemistry between their friends and families - amazing. They're all funny!
Plot - Well, I wouldn't really call it a masterpiece. So if you are looking for something with an award-winning masterpiece, it's not here. Also, if you are someone who overanalyzes everything in a story, I don't think this drama is for you.
But the plot is decent, okay? Cliche? Yes. But here's the thing about cliche, it still takes great writing in order for it to be enjoyable up until the last episode. As for the storyline, I promise you'll understand it if you don't overthink it so much.
Just one thing that I'd really like to commend the writer and director for is the pacing of the story. It has great pacing. Usual kdrama would get boring around episode 8, it'll pick up the pace around episode 13 and 14, and then that's it. The ending is either meh or good.
But Lovely Runner has no boring episode. I don't even think that there are filler scenes in this drama. 60 mins for one episode wasn't even enough. The ending was so LOVELY. I even want more of it, but you know too much of everything is really bad.
Anyway, the success of Lovely Runner is well-deserved. It's one of the best romcom I've ever watched. No wonder why this drama helped a lot of people from their slump.
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you won't rate it the same if you had watched it ongoing
For people who say this drama is overrated, it's exciting and feels like it's really on top while we watch it ongoing. And Lovely Runner was definitely a highlight. I myself have enjoyed ongoing dramas that wouldn't hold my attention as much if I binged them later. So yeah, it's not necessarily overrated; it's just about how we felt like watching it unfold.Was this review helpful to you?
9.1: Trust your fellow kdrama lovers
There are way too many people leaving negative reviews, so I feel it is my obligation to set things right.THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST, IF NOT THE BEST, KDRAMAS I HAVE WATCHED.
I am not great at writing reviews, but you should know that I did rewatch previous episodes while the show was still airing and felt the agony of waiting for the next one with my fellow watchers. We did come up with some crazy ideas how the show might develop...
The chemistry between the main leads is the best I have ever seen. And what made it great is that they showed the perspectives of both of them.
There are so many funny moments which will be funny after you have gotten over the "chincha????" moment.
You will laugh, cry and feel every emotion the characters feel. And that doesn't happen in dramas often.
Ignore the negative reviews, and trust the 9.1 of tens of thousands of KDRAMA lovers.
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Good start, but lazy writing happened.
I watched this show expecting a lot because of the hype surrounding it but was let down. People were even comparing it to Twinkling Watermelon which was a top tier drama for me. I could tolerate it for a bit hoping that it would get better, but ultimately the female leads character is extremely annoying and I didn’t see any chemistry between the two leads. The plot is confusing at times but also very cliche and corny. I was waiting for a different result with the many chances the main character was given to change things. However, with the exception of the first back in time, it was a repeat of almost the same thing every time after. It’s not that I didn’t like it, but it was hard watching the female lead keep making the same mistakes trying to push the male lead away just to get the same result.First few episodes are good, but there were so many plot holes in the storyline plus the lazy writing towards the end that just ruined this drama for me. Not a MUST WATCH! like what everyone is saying, but good for a one time watch.
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Perfect start looks like it will be so good
The series had a great startit made me laugh and get emotional
It's a series that makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you feel warm and happy.
I'm looking forward to Mondays and Tuesdays
it's definitely worth watching.
👩❤️👨☔️.
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"Lovely Runner: A Drama That Surpassed All Expectations"
Almost every drama I've watched has disappointed me at some point. I start watching, thinking, "Oh, it's good," but then it lets me down. However, "Lovely Runner" is the type of drama that has never disappointed me! Most of its OSTs are my favorite so far. The cinematography, the cast, the story—I've never felt bored for a single second! I've never skipped any scene. I took at least 100 minutes to watch a one-hour episode. I've never felt like this while finishing a drama. I never thought I'd like it this much! I started watching it without any expectations, and it's my favorite drama now.Before this drama, I saw Byeon Woo-seok in "Strong Girl Nam-soon," but to be honest, I didn’t like him. I also didn’t like Kim Hye-yoon that much! So, I wasn’t interested in this drama at all. I started it out of monotony! But after watching this drama, I like them more than anyone else. They are my obsession now.I don't know how to express my thoughts. I have so many words to say, but it feels like I've lost all my words. Beat me, but "Lovely Runner" is the best drama this year.Was this review helpful to you?
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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The Perfect couple do EXIST.
This drama was an incredible PERFECT surprise for me.I already knew the actors were good but the plot seemed so basic and I really though the main lead would be another cold guy who slowly falls in love but not before pissing me off HHAHAHAH, turns out, I couldn't be more wrong.
Sun Ja really entered to my Top Green Flags ML in dramaland besides Jang Uk, Yong shik, Taek and a few guys.
Kim Hye Yoon did an amazing job portraying someone without any will to live and at the same time a determinate fangirl, definitely will keep up with her work more often.
The chemistry between the two is so strong that is impossible to not believe they fell in love in real life.
The story is absolutely incredible and well executed, nowadays I get scared when I see a drama with 16, the story just goes downhill after a while and AGAIN the prove me wrong.
Watching this drama brought me so many feelings... the feelings I used to get when I first started to watch dramas in 2011.
Lovely Runner I miss you guys already 😭😭 my Mondays will be sad for a long time. Glad they gave us an incredible OST to keep up 😃
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Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon “수고하셨습니다”…
The storyline is very good, sweetly reminiscent of youth. The acting of the main female and male leads is extraordinary. It's very impressive. Truly good to the point of feeling real and reaching the hearts of the audience. I watched many dramas but This drama, in my opinion, is the best number one drama of 2024. Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon “수고하셨습니다”…. . Thank you for making this story so beautiful and leaving a strong impression in my heartWas this review helpful to you?
The best of 2024
As what Time Magazine said, the best of 2024; well deserve award!...I had no expectations when i watch the drama, just seeing comments on why people are loving it, man after watching it, i cant help but wanting to watch more of it and was hooked every mondays and tuesdays.
Its very rare to have a drama that is fast paced all the way up to ep10 and eps 2, 8 and 16, are personal favourites. The drama took more than 10 months to film due to change in director/direction, and it was definately a worthwhile changes and investment.
Funny and heartfelt... best part is, the happy happy ending! Enough said ❤️❤️❤️
Opsss lets not forget, the OST... by Eclipse, Ryu Sun jae aka BWS.... Run Run, Sonaki and Minnie's Like a Dream 🫰🫰🫰
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This review may contain spoilers
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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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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