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Lovely Runner

선재 업고 튀어 ‧ Drama ‧ 2024
Ongoing 13/16
Sararaarar
53 people found this review helpful
May 20, 2024
13 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 8
Overall 6.5
Story 4.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers

breaking my silence ( i put whatever in the star rating because i want to finish it first)

The drama started out fun and great but it started going down hill after the "highschool arc" , she avoided him in the most absured ways giving me second hand embaressment instead of talking and making it clear she wants nothing to do with him tf . But i still had hope, a part of me did'nt want this show to go even further down the drain , i had hope that they will salvage it somehow and pick up the pace when they made up . I really waited and suffered through out the whole collage missunderstanding thing , the light at the end of the tunnel started shinning and i was as hopeful as i can get when they he finally figured out the future thing , i ran till the end of this tunnel following the bright hopeful light and when i finally reached it it turned dark and all i could feel was the despair of the fucking disaster of episode 13. it was so bad i just finished watching it right now and started to write this . Episode 13 was so bad it made me write a goddamn essay , and the thing that makes my blood boil is the fact that people LIKED the episode , am i the problem ??? i don't wanns say too much about the episode because i already reviewd it in the episode 13 review , but the ending actually made me almost cry ........out of anger lmaooo beacuse please tell me why did she do that , now all the other 12 episode mean nothing quite literally .

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Ongoing 16/16
sharreb
65 people found this review helpful
Apr 12, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Love transcending time and timeslips

✅️ Nostalgic kdrama feels
✅️ Leads bursting with chemistry
✅️ Lots of gushing, blushing romance
✅️ Unexpected plottwists
✅️ Lovely OSTs
✅️ Beautifully shot scenes
✅️ LOL comedic moments

If you thought you are in for the usual fluff, then you're mistaken.

For all the cute previews and fluff fanservice, you find someone stick a hand in your chest and squeezed your heart. First was Im Sol after she lost mobility. The helplessness and lost of hope. Then theres ML and his depression. Lots of teary heart wrenching moments. You will ache for them.

Then my greatest surprise was the curveball at the last 5mins of ep2. Didnt see that coming. That was d ML point of view I didnt know I needed but was so glad director/writer gave us this. Then theres the onpoint acting. Always a fan of Kim Hye Yoon. We wouldnt be this hook without the good acting and the leads' chemistry.

In an afterthought, I just realised its like reading a novel with an epic love story. Theres the sweet romance build up that makes yoi giddy and reminds you of first love. But then theres the grittier bits, heavy emotion from darned fate and stakes against the CP. You watch your leads struggle but ultimately their hearts lead to each other. You feel healed in the knowledge that there's this kind of love.

Ps: Have bumped up the ratings. Its hard for a drama to hold my interest and make me a fan of their love. Even rarer that it has such a high rewatch value

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Completed
sen
69 people found this review helpful
May 28, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Handsdown one of the best drama in 2024

I am proud to say I am one of the few people that started the drama way before the craze and hype, all because I was excited since last year when Wooseok and Hyeyoon were announced as the cast. Frankly, I don't particularly care about drama theme when my fav actors or actresses star in it and in this case, it was Hyeyoon.

I started it out not expecting any great or perfect drama, I simply expect a usual romcom. Man was I wrong, episode 2 was absolutely magical and I knew right away I had to promote tf out of this drama to every single of my mutuals.

I just finished watching finale and my thoughts are jumbled up lol I'll comeback when I have sorted out my thoughts and feelings and will write a proper review.

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Completed
luckygal
116 people found this review helpful
May 29, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 7
Overall 6.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

A lot of repetitions in the story, depression and disability not explored enough

As someone who has watched quite a few time-travel K-dramas, comparisons were bound to happen. And honestly? This drama started off so strong that I thought it was going to become one of my favorites.

The first episode completely hooked me. What stood out most was its focus on disability and depression right from the starting scene. It's even rarer to see a disabled female lead, so watching Sol navigate life with a disability felt emotionally impactful. Her struggles felt real, and it gave the story a unique perspective.

Which is exactly why I was disappointed when the drama seemed to forget about it.

Don't get me wrong, I was happy that Sol eventually changed her fate. But her disability wasn't just a minor obstacle—it was the foundation of her character arc and the reason she reached such a dark place at the beginning of the story.

The same thing happened with Sun-jae. The drama introduces him as someone struggling with depression, but never really digs deeper. Because he was lonely? Because fame wasn't making him happy? We never get enough insight into his thoughts to understand him beyond "the guy who's in love with Sol." For a character carrying so much emotional weight in the story, he felt oddly underdeveloped.

That's my biggest issue with this drama: it introduces serious topics but rarely explores them beyond the surface. I know it’s a Romcom but why start the drama with such serious topics?? And Instead of using the different timelines to show how the characters grow and change, both Sol and Sun-jae often feel like the same people over and over again.

As for the time travel itself, it was genuinely fun during the high school episodes. Watching Sol try to change the future while dealing with teenage chaos made for some entertaining and emotional moments. But after that, the story started running in circles. By the third trip to the past, I was asking myself, "We're doing this again?" The plot wasn't evolving much, and the event Sol desperately wanted to prevent kept happening anyway, making the repeated time travel feel more like a plot extension than a necessity.

And Sol... girl, please.

For someone who had multiple chances to fix things, she somehow managed to make new problems every single time. Instead of becoming wiser with each timeline, she often felt just as impulsive and clueless as before. Her constant attempts to avoid Sun-jae were especially frustrating because she never really communicated her reasons, making her come across as unnecessarily mean rather than self-sacrificing.

Sun-jae wasn't much better in that regard. As much as I liked him, his entire existence seemed to revolve around Sol. Give this man a hobby. A dream. A personality trait that doesn't begin and end with her name.

By episode 10, the drama started losing steam, and the ending became fairly predictable. Still, I can't say I hated it. The soundtrack was fantastic, the comedy landed more often than not, and the chemistry between the leads was undeniably charming.
I enjoyed watching 1st half of it, but I also couldn't stop thinking about how much better it could have been in the 2nd half.

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Completed
palak
61 people found this review helpful
Jul 31, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Just a recent viewer trying to balance out the hate

I haven't written a review in a while. But then again, I haven't watched such an addictive drama in a while. The kind that you can see yourself going back to every as some kind of annual rewatching festival (such dramas pop up once every five years or so). And if anyone knows me, they know that I can't help writing a review for a drama I fell in love with. And I definitely fell for this one. Hard.

As someone who watched Dark recently, I have to say that no time travel plotline would manage to surprise me anymore. Once you watch Dark, you've watched everything time-travel genre has to offer. But Lovely Runner is not about time travel. It's about love. Time travel is merely a plot device to keep things going. The true heart of this beautiful drama lies in its wonderful characters, its unforgettable male lead and its hilarious female lead. She is one of those rare actresses who can make a cutesy character funny and not cringe. And can we talk about how many actors whose careers she has kicked to hallyu level (Rowoon, Lee Jae Wook and Byun Woo Seok being a few examples). She's extremely talented and deserves all the praise in the world.

Coming to Sun Jae. This character is definitely everyone's internet boyfriend right now and for good reason. He has the most pure love, the most beautiful heart and not to mention the cutest reactions to everything Sol does. He is definitely the cause of all those nights in the future when we are binge-watching this drama like crazy.

They use all the romantic cliches in this drama but definitely give a 2024 touch to it (or should I say 2009 touch? LOL). You will find no red flags here. The SML was awesome and I haven't enjoyed a love triangle this much in a long time.

I know many people are concerned with loopholes in the story but that happens in almost every time travel story if you ask me. A lot can happen and a lot is left to interpretation (her grandmother, the killer's motive etc). But honestly, if you ask me, I feel that they give you enough hint about everything and leave a bit to your imagination (which isn't necessarily a bad thing; I mean it's not like they forgot to tell you who she ends up marrying in the end (you know what drama I'm talking about lol)).

The music is to die for, Definitely ringtone material and more.

You can love this drama or hate it, but you can take it from me that this is going to be the most relevant 2020s drama in the future decades (and for good reason).

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Ongoing 16/16
vik
65 people found this review helpful
May 19, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 2
Overall 1.5
Story 1.5
Acting/Cast 3.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0

so predictable

just like many other time travel dramas. same story and repetition of plots. FL keeps going back in time and failing every time, recycled stalker plot again. not to mention the 32-year-old actor playing a teenager. all success comes down to the handsome ml and couples height difference. ost is perhaps the only positive thing followed by the actress good acting, which ironically is downplayed by fans of the drama who treats her like a rookis, even though she already has an established career.....
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Completed
Strangerkid
74 people found this review helpful
May 21, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 1
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

“Run into your Unknown”

Yes, this is the best kdrama you will ever watch.

I don’t even know where to begin because this show has literally EVERYTHING! You want romance? They got it. Comedy? They got it. Drama? You best believe they got it. Fantasy, Mystery, and Thriller? Of course!


I’m writing this week before the show ends, hoping I can take my time to review everything I love about this show and why I think the show is a must-watch! The first thing that I should mention is that there is a familiarity when it comes to Lovely Runner from your favorite kdramas, such as Twinkling Watermelon, Strong Woman Do Bong Song, 20th Century Girl, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and My Lovely Stranger. Yet, besides all of that, this show is very different. It’s nothing like the shows I mentioned. I don’t want to give much away since this is a spoiler-free review, but it’s safe to say there’s a lot of familiarity with the show, BUT there is also a lot of originality. The Twist and Turns… When I say this show is unpredictable, I genuinely mean it. When I tell you I did not expect a reveal so soon at the end of the 2nd episode, I knew that this show would continue blowing my expectations; I was not wrong. Every week, this show continued to surprise us in the best way possible. For a Romantic Comedy with Fantasy and thriller, the show thrives in everything! I have watched many dramas, and what feels like forever, it truly feels like you’re watching true love. What Imsol and Sunjae have feels and looks natural. When I watch each episode, I feel like I’m watching these two people fall in love repeatedly. It makes me all giddy inside as the two try desperately to hold on to each other. 

Speaking of Imsol and Sunjae, let's speak about the beautiful actors who portray them. Kim Hye-Yoon, THE WOMAN YOU ARE! I've actually been following this show since it was announced because of Hye-Yoon. I'm a big fan of her and happy to see her get the recognition she deserves since I believe she is one of the best actors I have ever seen (watch her in Sky Castle; there's no better example). Hye-Yoon always gives it her all and works endlessly to provide us with the best results. I mean, the fact I could tell which Imsol she was playing, I think, says it all. This girl has RANGE. Hye-Yoon plays Imsol with so much love, as someone once commented, "The person who loved Seonjae more than anyone else and understood Imsol more than anyone else was Kim Hye-yoon." Not to mention, this show would not have existed without her. She is the reason why we have this fantastic show to watch. For apparent reasons, I think a lot of the spotlight is more on Byeon Woo-Seok. Still, I hope Hye-Yoon doesn't get forgotten when this is all done and shines as much as him because she deserves it. 

Now Woo-Seok, I've been a fan of him since 20th Century Girl. I'd seen his work before the movie, and he always stood out to me with his acting; maybe his height helped a little, too. I genuinely appreciate Wook-Seok for bringing to life a character that feels fresh and exciting to watch. When I say, his portrayal of Sunjae being the GREENEST FLAG THERE IS, I'm not kidding. He indeed wears his heart on his sleeves, and with his facile expression, he is easy to read. Something to mention is that these two actors have to play teenagers, young adults, and adults, which is already impressive. The two perfectly play the awkward years and the maturing times. The two both play their character with love and innocence with a little of a rough side. 

As I currently listen to the music on repeat, yes, on repeat, because the soundtrack is that good. It evokes emotions that remind me of everything I love about this show. The young love that lasts through the years, the heartbreak, the joy, and the anticipation. It's hard to put everything I feel through words as I try to write, but I want to mention that I love every song dearly, and they share a core memory. A memory I hope to not forget.

So, in conclusion… yes, I highly recommend this show!!! Now go watch!!!

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Ongoing 16/16
MaidaTehreem
7 people found this review helpful
Jul 18, 2026
16 of 16 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

AMAZING!!!!!!!

I have no words to express how I feel...For the future viewers, please just watch this for once. I remember watching DOOM AT YOUR SERVICES, it was full of emotions. It's seriously same for this one..... I was full of tears and emotions.... Hats off to the whole crew, each and everyone did their best. The story was fresh, ml & fl both did an amazing Job..... My advise to all the people, don't look at the reviews before watching any drama, it's just gonna ruin your experience....

WATCH IT!!!!
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Completed
Tiff
17 people found this review helpful
Apr 19, 2025
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 6.0
This review may contain spoilers
I think younger me would've enjoyed this a tad bit more but honestly, I'm a little disappointed by the show. Yeah, the romance was cute and adorable. Yeah, the main lead is handsome and sweet and the soundtrack isn't too bad (even though towards the end of the show it was starting to get repetitive) but I just wanted more in terms of writing and story.

The first couple of episodes weren't too bad but towards the middle was when things started to drag. The older I get, the more I realize that I definitely prefer a drama with some type of story going on either that or something entertaining. There was times where I felt bored and I had to keep pausing because nothing much was happening. The stalker plot was beyond pointless but I understand why it was incorporated into the show because without it, there's basically no plot.

I find the stalker plot pointless because we never get any backstory/reasoning on why the stalker is obsessed with Im Sol and Sun Jae. After a while the amount of things that the stalker was able to get away with was starting to get ridiculous and the way he ended up dying was so stupid and forgettable. Instead of a final confrontation with Im Sol and Sun Jae, he gets hit by a truck and dies. The resolution for that plot ended so horribly that it just made everything that happened in the drama seem pointless.

The supporting characters are also weak since the writing is mainly focused on the main couple. I like Im Sol's mother and grandmother. I did not care for the best friend/brother plot line and Sun Jae's dad was okay. I can't take the actor too serious since he still gives me nightmares due to his role on Strong Women (man his character was annoying but funny on that show). The romance is cute and the height difference made me swoon a bit but I just wish the story was stronger because once you get past the romance aspect of the show, there's not really much that you can discuss. It's not a bad show but with the hype it was getting, I was definitely expecting something much more stronger.

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Completed
Beatrice
27 people found this review helpful
Jul 9, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 4
Overall 1.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 4.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

Run away from this drama

The story is promising until it becomes unbearable, beginning with some interesting facets, highlighting issues of the wheelchair bound people, parasocial fan culture, mental health struggles, time travel and the rules of this particular version. Once Sol and Seon Jae meet, there is no chemistry though the engaging mystery of the lead figuring out her situation and how it works kept the pace going, but soon there is clearly not enough plot to to sustain 9 episodes, let alone 16 episodes of hour+ runtime because it just relies on tropes to pad out the runtime with all of the interesting set up just abruptly ending, unexplored and unaddressed. What the drama became was like the writer is actually desperate to write a comedy and is also really bad at it. There are so many shouty scenes of endless misunderstood moments, withholding information and intentions, stupid testosterone contests, side characters bickering that go on forever.

The acting of the leads aren't good enough to elevate anything either. The second lead Tae Sung is comparatively better than the rest and the character is the only one that has growth and change throughout the story which helps to make his quirky scenes that don't involve the inane one upmanship with Seon Jae, actually funny. Sol has always acted immature even as a 34 year old adult and her entire focus just revolves around Seon Jae when she goes back in time. She doesn't get to have an substantial moments to develop her bond with other people like her family who were also facing some serious problems like her mom's health, her grandma's eventual mental decline, or even her friend and future sister in law. Everyone is just a comedy bit. Even Tae Sung with his father when he rushes to the hospital after his dad was nearly killed by the escaped serial killer, the show just leaves it at a comedy bit. Seon Jae is actually even more immature as a 34 year old in all iterations of his life and also doesn't have a single serious moment with his father. The leads have no dimension in addition to no chemistry, so their relationship has no weight. Truck sama wiping out the serial killer is the ultimate lazy conclusion. They should have had Sol behind the wheel at least. The show hates depth and characterization. The sky high mdl rating as of this writing confounds me, there are dramas that are way better that don't have anywhere as near high ratings.

I do not recommend this drama. If you want a well done time travel back to high school plot to save a guy, watch Love for Love's Sake.

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Completed
arte
36 people found this review helpful
Jun 16, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

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.
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Completed
Yoruka
65 people found this review helpful
May 28, 2024
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

Perfection

I couldn't have asked for anything more, a beautiful drama from ep 1 to ep 16. Will remember this drama and rewatch this drama for many years to come. Has taken my #1 kdrama spot for sure. I am so thankful to the amazing actors and amazing staff that worked on this show. Every second has been memorable and never made me bored or upset at the direction they choose to go. Every important character acted amazing and brought life to their characters that makes me sad to say goodbye to them. SolSun for life easily my favorite drama couple ever.
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Lovely Runner poster

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  • Score: 8.9 (scored by 113,274 users)
  • Ranked: #77
  • Popularity: #22
  • Watchers: 196,469

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