tokkid

You're misunderstanding what people here are trying to tell you. They're literally breaking down the entire plot to point out at the differences between the series and what you're accusing it of. I'm sure we all agree that stalking and grooming are a crime. Our point is, what happens in the drama is not an example of either. If you want to see an actual example of grooming in Korean series, watch Goblin.

grooming - "an act or instance of engaging in behaviors or practices intended to gradually condition or emotionally manipulate a victim over time, as through friendship, gifts, flattery, etc., in order to entrap the person in a sexually abusive or predatory relationship" - she literally didn't even dare to think of staying in his life as something else than a fan

stalking - "the act or crime of willfully and repeatedly following or harassing another person in circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to fear injury or death especially because of express or implied threats"

Now, how does that fit the context of the drama?

Given that she didn't know how much time she had left, then with a murderer on the loose and being trapped in the body of a high school/college student, what other options did she have to save him?

The only scene I admit was inappropriate and shouldn't have happened was Soonjae kissing her when she was drunk. This was wrong both because she was intoxicated, and because he didn't know/believe she had come from the future at that point.

I kinda understand where you're coming from, it might appear like that if you don't pay enough attention to the timelines and Sol's actions or motivations. At times there is an age gap, and the scenes where she thought she was in a dream are confusing. However, if you take a closer look, just as the people before me explained, the story makes perfect sense and doesn't show any grooming or stalking (other than that done by the actual stalker, the taxi driver, or the white padded girl). Sol had no choice but to be in SJ's life, and she kept explaining to him that she's just a fan, to convince him that she's not in love with him. I recommend watching it til the end or maybe carefully rewatching the series, that is if you really care to understand the plot. I suppose there are moments where it can get kinda confusing.

Now, what I'm really curious about is how on Earth did you manage to watch so many Asian series with a moral compass this strong? :D Most of them are incredibly sexist, especially the older dramas. I can't stomach most Chinese, Japanese or Thai dramas because of that. I judge most of them by different standards than I would any other works. Lovely Runner is not an example of that, though.

beginning of episode 9

Yes, if I recall correctly. It was in the scene where Sol was frantically looking for the watch she bought and found it on her grandma's wrist. She said something that she's been keeping it safe (she already had dementia)

There's a lot that's been bothering me in the OG timeline. Like the balcony scene, I feel like he's been waiting for the killer. Or how he's been anticipating the on air call with Sol, as if he had it all planned out. What if he time traveled even further back in time than Im Sol and said something to her Grandma, and that's why she's acting so suspicious? Like 'keep the watch safe' etc.

nothing wrong with using AI tools when the only thing that matters is the end result, like that description. academic papers, on the other hand... 😅

it could be written in chatgpt 😅

Yess exactly!! These kind of endings are still beautiful but also heartbreaking, because what is love without their memories together. I hope so too! 😭

I was thinking more like, an omniscient character is revealed (someone responsible for the watch, maybe grandma? in the webtoon it was some guy) and without going into much detail at the end of ep16 the story rewinds for both leads and they end up in a timeline where they both don't know each other but somehow they still meet and fall in love again. Although they're not quite the same characters. Idk if it makes any sense haha

I didn't know there was a web novel with a happy ending! It does give me some hope :)

I'm worried there will be a vague, open ending, similar to Moon Lovers where, in a deleted scene, the male lead reappears as a reincarnation/with no memories, or the female lead is reminded of him through something, with a lingering sense of 인연. The moral of the story is that, no matter what, time will always take its course. Star-crossed lovers.

She tried to avoid/catch the killer multiple times, but it always backfired. In the last timeline she kinda just accepts her fate, as long as SJ is not a part of it. Even if the killer finds her again, it's okay because SJ won't suffer the consequences. I'm also frustrated by the killer thing but I guess it's what gives the show some thrill besides just romance. And as far as my understanding of Korea goes, it'd be incredibly difficult to find a decent job without a relevant degree

Exactly, and that's why ultimately she decided to erase herself from his life.

Sol from the future only spent a few months in that timeline. All the career choices were made by the Sol that had no memories of SJ. I imagine it would be rather difficult to completely change careers at that point

What if BWS cried after reading the script because his memories are slowly returning 💀

Yes, it's SJ's watch, but this is the first time it is activated while still on his arm. It could be the reason why his memories return.

I can't believe there are only 4 episodes left 😭😭

is this drama based on a webtoon?