This review may contain spoilers
Very cheesy drama with plotholes
Started off as one of my fav drama but after ep 12 the story felt dragging and many points were missing from the drama like the story of the taxi driver , the grandmother, how the watch helped Sol to travel back in the past and why did she get another chance to save Sun jae and I felt that there wasn't any personality of Sun Jae other than being a loser for Sol..I wish that it was a drama where Sun Jae actually committed suicide without the taxi driver plot and in the end Sol had to become disable as it is an inevitable fate like they did in Twinkling watermelon and Sol and Sunjae would help each other to overcome their depression...I thought that the drama will be like this but then I was like no it's again that same serial killer plot...my fav character is Tae Sung ...he had the most significant role in the drama because without him Sunjae and Sol wouldn't have a happy endingWas 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 🫰🫰🫰
Was this review helpful to you?
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!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Kim Hye Yoon stuns and Byeon Woo Seok is great, but after that?
Attempting to keep this brief.Kim Hye Yoon and Im Sol are as perfect a pairing of actor and character as can be achieved by human effort.
Byeon Woo Seok is more than capable as a lead and is particularly good when Seon Jae is uncomfortable and awkwardly trying to make something happen with Im Sol. Somehow, when he's supposed to be cool and under control, doesn't seem as natural.
The two together are fantastic particularly through the first time loop sequences up until Im Sol finally (in present day) comes clean about her feelings and the big scene in her apartment doorway delivers the awaited romantic payoff.
These two can duke it out with the lead couple of just about any drama and hold their own.
But the rest?
Not great.
There's a second couple but 1. it's forgotten almost completely from episodes 4 through 15 and 2. they are clearly intended to be the comic relief in a show where the leads provide plenty of laughs so the second couple has to take their acting to a sketch comedy level that is nails-on-chalkboard grating.
Kim Won Hae is great (as he almost always is) but the relationship between Sun Jae and KWH's father is rarely given any in depth play. What could have been a terrific subplot, particularly when dealing with Sun Jae's swimming career, is ignored.
Tae Sung is a promising character but he needed a bit of backstory and consistency. Like a lot of characters that aren't the main two, Tae Sung is too frequently simply a convenient device that transforms in to whatever the story requires him to be. A bad boy that needs to fake a relationship with Im Sol. Later a buddy for Sun Jae. Then an object of jealousy. Intermittently, a character teased as the third spoke of a triangle (thankfully only teased but even the teasing of it was unwelcome). Finally, a cop to pursue the villain. Although the time loop changes can account for some of this, it's jarring when in one loop he's a successful fashion entrepreneur and then suddenly he's a civil servant.
Back to the villain: it's the most bland villain ever and the final confrontation with him is so painfully anticlimactic.
And the storytelling overall is lacking. It starts after major events that drive the storyline have happened but the context is never adequately exposited. The time loops are fairly well handled but there is absolutely one more loop than there needed to be and it's clear that the writers grew tired of incorporating how the most recent loop back changed the present day circumstances.
It's a show that could have 1. been a show exclusively about the lead couple for about an 8 episode run (like a longer "Soundtrack" drama) or 2. a more traditional 16 episode drama that invested more screen time in the secondary stories and characters. Either way, with this lead couple, it could have been an all-time great show. Instead, it's a fun watch and certainly recommended but falls well short of what it should have been.
[EDIT: Wow. Thanks so much to everyone who has liked this review! The positive feedback is very appreciated :)
The review should have mentioned that Im Sol's grandmother, both the character and the portrayal, were wonderful but, frustratingly underutilized.]
Was this review helpful to you?
A DRAMA THAT NEVER FORGETS IT'S A ROMCOM, IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE!
It's so typical to see a drama toward the end getting boring or having an unsatisfying ending, but "Lovely Runner" managed not to go down that road. This drama was perfect from start to finish, never forgetting that it's a rom-com, even in its most dramatic moments. It was really great to follow Sol and Sunjae's love for each other, Taesung being one of the best second male leads, and the addictive OST.I'm gonna miss waiting every Monday and Tuesday for new episodes and coming up with thousands of theories about what would happen next, but even with a simple and uncomplicated ending (and using the truck of doom in the best way possible), it managed to be satisfying and beautifully conclude this story.
Was this review helpful to you?
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 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 😃
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
No matter where we are...The end is always YOU! (Why 'Lovely Runner' Stole My Heart in 2024)
“Is there such a thing as destiny in life? Something we can neither change nor defy. Something like inevitability.” – Im Sol" Lovely Runner" is officially one of my all-time favorite dramas, and I can't stress this enough. This show left me blushing, giggling, swooning and crying like a baby, and the emotions it stirred within me were simply unparalleled. To be honest, it hasn't just made its way into my top ten favorites, but it's actually bumped off a couple of other shows and claimed the top spot. " Lovely Runner" has officially stolen my heart, and I can't recommend it highly enough. If you haven't watched it yet, drop everything you're doing and start now - trust me, you won't regret it!
Alright, strap in folks, because the review you're about to read is as long as a novel (seriously, you might want to grab a snack before getting started). But trust me, it's worth it, because this drama had me going through all the emotions - laughter, tears, frustration, happiness, and everything in between. So buckle up and get ready for a wild ride as I take you on a journey through my thoughts on " Lovely Runner."
From the first episode to the last, this drama was a rollercoaster of emotions that left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. The story, which revolves around a celebrity and his lifelong admirer, was beautifully executed and had me rooting for their love story at every turn. Every single character was fleshed out and well-developed, and the chemistry between the two leads was simply off the charts. So let me break down all the things that made this drama a 10/10 "must watch" for me...
CAST/ACTING:
The cast of " Lovely Runner" was simply phenomenal,top-notch, making for a truly compelling and immersive viewing experience.. Byeon Woo Seok was absolutely amazing in his role, bringing depth and charisma to Ryu Seon-Jae. His chemistry with Kim Hye Yoon, who played Im Sol in the most amazing & cute way, was palpable and their performances together truly made the drama come to life. The supporting cast was equally impressive, each actor bringing their own unique touch to their characters and adding to the richness of the story.
♥Main Leads Chemistry: The heart-warming and dreamy chemistry between the two leads of " Lovely Runner" was truly something special.It was so magnetic and believable that it added an extra layer of emotional depth to the show, making it even more enjoyable to watch. Byeon Woo Seok & Kim Hye Yoon are prolly now one of my top fav "kdrama couple" in all Dramaland!
“Given how many times we’re running into each other, isn’t the universe basically pushing us toward each other?” – Ryu Sun Jae
At this point please allow me this little fangirl moment...here we go... (1/2)
Byeon Woo Seok's performance in " Lovely Runner" was undoubtedly exceptional. After stunning audiences with his villainous role as Ryu Shi Oh in " Strong Girl Namsoon" and capturing the hearts of viewers (cause let's be honest it was the first time we were all rooting for the ruthless but charming as hell villain), his portrayal of Ryu Seon-Jae proved his versatility as an actor. As the charismatic and dreamy Ryu Seon-Jae, Byeon Woo Seok's charisma shone through and he effortlessly embodied the ideal boyfriend material, making viewers swoon and fall in love with the character. His talent for bringing complex characters to life and his ability to seamlessly switch between genres is truly impressive, and he's definitely a force to be reckoned with in the Korean entertainment industry.
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
From the cinematography to the styling, and from the beautifully shot scenes to the close-ups in " Lovely Runner" everything was exquisitely executed. The use of colors like warm reds and pinks created a romantic and dreamy atmosphere throughout the series, perfectly complementing the themes of love and fate. The camerawork was impeccable, with carefully composed shots capturing the subtle details and emotions of the characters. Close-ups, panned shots, and sweeping scenic views were all utilized to great effect, enhancing the overall visual experience of the drama and adding depth and dimension to the story. The use of close-up shots allowed for a strong emotional connection with the characters, and the stunning scenery, particularly the falling flower petals, added a sense of magic and romance to the series. The thoughtfully placed symbolism throughout the drama added layers of depth and meaning, such as the recurring theme of time and fate. These elements combined created a truly visually captivating and emotionally impactful drama.
MUSIC:
The music soundtrack for me is amongst the "Golden OST Dramas" like "Goblin", "Crash Landing on You", "Hotel del Luna", "while you were sleeping", "Moonlovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" & rightfully so! Every song chosen for each scene was perfect & matched the mood of the scene, adding depth and feeling to the story. Songs like a"Star" by N.Flying captured the hopeful and optimistic tone of the drama, while "Like a Dream" by Minnie had a more melancholic and contemplative feel, perfectly complementing the show's themes of destiny and longing. The incorporation of "Spring snow" by 10cm and "a day" by ATEEZ's Jongho were especially noteworthy & they are hands down my faves. "Spring snow" added a touch of melancholy and longing, perfectly capturing the emotional turmoil of the characters. "a day", on the other hand, injected a dose of warmth and happiness to balance the drama's emotional depth, creating a truly memorable listening experience. Like honestly the soundtrack of " Lovely Runner" was truly one of the best ever. The songs seamlessly fit into the scenes and heightened the emotional impact of the drama. From the romantic ballads to the upbeat tracks, each song was carefully chosen to complement the storylines and characters perfectly. Whether evoking laughter, tears, or a mix of both, the soundtrack of " Lovely Runner" was a masterclass in creating the perfect atmosphere and eliciting the desired emotions from the audience.
At this point please allow me another fangirl moment...I can't help it...I'm an ATINY!
"A Day":The song's message of treasuring each and every moment aligned perfectly with the drama's themes of love, regret, and the fragility of time. The song's lyrics spoke of cherishing each day and the precious moments that make up life, themes that were central to " Lovely Runner." The uplifting and hopeful tone of the song countered the often bittersweet and melancholic moments in the drama, encapsulating the beauty and importance of savoring each day to the fullest.
ATEEZ'S very own amazing vocalist Jongho's voice in "a day" was simply angelic and heartwarming. His velvety tone added a touch of warmth to the drama's emotional rollercoaster. Each note he sang felt like a ray of sunshine piercing through the rain clouds, bringing a sense of tranquility and hope. The way he hit those high notes and transitions effortlessly between different registers was truly impressive, showcasing his exceptional vocal abilities. Simply put, Jongho's voice in " Lovely Runner" was nothing short of amazing, and every time his songs comes on, I can't help but fangirl over his talent!
WHAT I LIKED: (pretty much everything xD)
1. Heartwarming and emotional storyline and relatable characters
2. Great character development and portrayal and casting
3. Stunning cinematography and visual elements
4. Memorable & beautiful soundtrack with emotional and touching songs
5. Engaging plot with unexpected twists and turns
6. Satisfying and uplifting ending that leaves viewers feeling fulfilled and happy
7. The beautiful quotes in the dialogues!
8.Perfect chemistry between the leads that make your heart melt and steals the show
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
1.The stalker killer taxi driver plot line was not resolved in a satisfying way and seemed like a rushed afterthought.
2.Im Sol's constant avoidance and pushing away of Seon-Jae was frustrating.
3. SMLKim Tae Sung deserved a "happy ending" too :(
Overall, "Lovely Runner" really stands out as a 10/10 drama for me.I LOVED IT WITH ALL MY HEART! It's a highlight of 2024 in Kdramaland and has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. Everything about it is just perfect - the captivating storyline, lovable characters, beautiful cinematography, and memorable music. I couldn't have asked for anything more from this drama, and it's definitely left a lasting impression on me and i will most definitely watch it 100 times and cry my eyes out till i die from dehydration buried under a mountain of tissues! If you're looking for a heartwarming love story that pulls on your heartstrings and leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling inside and if you are a sucker for "fluffiness overload-comfort" dramas like silly lil me, then "Lovely Runner" is the drama for you! ♥
“At that moment, this crossed my mind. That our fate was just going around in circles just like this Ferris wheel.” – Im Sol
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Charming Timeless Romance that will leave you wanting one of your own
After watching Strong Woman Namsoon, I needed to see more of Wooseok because I loved his portrayal of his villainous character, Ryu Shi Oh. His character was so charming and his acting was the saving grace that saved the whole show for me. Naturally, I went through his filmography to see what other dramas there were but realized he was never THE male lead, but he had Lovely Runner (I think it was titled Run Away with Sunjae then). I say all that to say that this was my most ANTICIPATED drama of 2024. Needless to say, the expectations I had for this were through the roof!Did it meet my standards? ABSOLUTELY!! It completely blew away all my expectations and surpassed them. It is the best time travel drama I have seen, top 3 K-Dramas & top 5 Asian dramas ever!! Let me break it down!
STORY:
Im Sol, an aspiring film director and a stan of her K-pop idol Ryu Sunjae, finds out he died and it was apparently via suicide. Through one of her personal memorabilia (Sunjae's watch she bought in an auction), she can travel back in time to attempt to change his fate and she has only a certain amount of times she can go back in time. As she is trying to save her favorite's life, she eventually learns she has to deal with an unlucky and tragic part of the original timeline that she did not know about before.
ACTING/CAST:
PHENOMENAL CASTING + ACTING!
First, I will talk about the leads. Wooseok as Sunjae is genius casting & I could not see anyone else playing him. I loved watching all the different sides of him: the comedic side, the emotional side & the serious side if he has to be. As for Kim Hye Yoon, we know what she brings to the table with her acting and she did not disappoint. I do feel as though her acting helps to elevate all of her co-stars & brings out the best in them & that is why these two are a match made in heaven. Wooseok is always looking to improve himself & she has the tools to do so. Their romance is one for the books & it took me through a rollercoaster ride emotionally, but it had its funny moments too that perfectly balance it out. I ADORE the way they looked at one another & the chemistry along with those kissing scenes were so top-tier. One of my favorite K-Drama couples!
Now for the supporting cast! A good supporting cast can take a drama to another level & make it feel like it is not dragging without seeing the main characters! For the most part, I appreciated them & they made for HILARIOUS moments!
First up are the MVPs of the drama: Song Geon Hee as Kim Tae Sung & our N.Flying leader Lee Seung Hyub as Baek In Hyuk. At first, I was not sure how to feel about Taesung because I am a ML type of gal & I have no room for 2MLs in my heart, but I am appreciative of how he stood by our FL side and is supportive of her relationship with our Sunjae! He is probably the best 2ML in K-Drama history because he helps the leads TREMENDOUSLY to achieve the lives they want! You have my thanks, Taesung! Now for Inhyuk, he was THE comedic relief outside of Sunjae and I love his friendship with SJ and the advice he has to continuously give him because SJ is so clueless.
Shoutout to Im Sol's grandma... you made everything possible & Sol's mom & Sunjae's dad added their charming humor. Although Im's best friend & brother had their funny moments. there were times I felt as though they were taking up screen time in almost every timeline, but thankfully they toned it down a bit in the last timeline.
MUSIC: Lovely Runner OST has been on repeat ever since all the part one songs came out. I get intense goosebumps when I start listening & remember all the scenes the song plays in. Since there are 15 songs, I will list my top 5: Sudden Shower, A Day, I Think I Did, Run Run & Star (HONORABLE MENTION: Spring Snow). But, ALL the songs are good!!!!!!!!! It puts you in such a good mood!
RE-WATCH VALUE: 10/10 I was re-watching every episode every week to prepare for the next episodes because the wait for the episodes was literal torture. I have not felt this obsessive about a K-Drama in a while. I love that I have another comfort K-drama to add to my list: DoTS, W: Two Worlds, WFKBJ, Shooting Stars & LoTBS
OVERALL: A wholesome drama that will fill you with overwhelming happiness & leave you feeling satisfied. This drama came to me in a time when I was not in the greatest of places so I do feel more emotionally attached to it than others. If you love romantic comedy with a dash of overcoming tragedy, this is for you. If you are not a romance fan, give it 2-4 episodes and if you do not like it by episode 4, then maybe it is not for & that is okay. Move on. You do not have to finish everything you start.
ANYWAYS, WATCH THIS DRAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has a special place in my heart because of the beautiful love story between Sunjae + Sol. It was an emotional yet fun ride. I will never forget Soljae & the supporting cast because everyone played their part so perfectly!!! I loved that Wooseokie got the popularity he deserved with this drama! I am so happy for the success of this drama, especially for the leads who worked so hard over the years. I am looking forward to their next drama & the many re-watches I will be giving this drama!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
An unexpected storyline
When I first started this show I expected a storyline where the FL would go back in time to save the ML and help him deal with this mental health problems. However it quickly moved in another direction with numerous time jumps as main storylines, as someone that usually doesn't like this type of drama, I really liked it in this instance.The only thing I found lacking was that the ML felt a bit one dimensional at times with not a lot of character, besides his shoulder injury there are not really other storylines about him (that don't involve FL or her kidnapping/time jumping)
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Ended my Kdrama slump , loved it !!
So basically it's a time travel story in which Our Fl goes back and forth to save ML and they save each other in the end. I just loved how BSW only had eye for Fl in every revind and every future story.It has all the cliches that I like-
Male lead loves fL first
Rich ML
Possessive ML
Calm And caring ML
Warm FL
But you still feel like rewatching it is that wholesome.
Honestly, in first few minutes in drama I was really annoyed by Fl of how she was behaving like a 12 year old and with squeky voice but you will regret not continuing as it gets so much better from there onwards and when we see fl in emotional scenes then we are able to connect with her acting.
And the title is well suited for the drama as Fl is always running away from ML , only to be even closer to ML.
Must watch show, loved every scene and that one scene when fl pokes ML in nostril was so hilarious 😂.
Also appa and Umma of ML and fL had really funny conversations. Granny did a great job too.
Was this review helpful to you?
very cute and romantic
This drama is very funny and romantic, it makes me like this drama, the OST is also very good.Was this review helpful to you?
