I don't think one can say this is based on a particular idol since sadly in the last 5-6 yrs a lot of well know…
Yes, we cannot call out a particular idol, but given the high rates of suicides in SK, I believe such dramas are created to bring focus on the issue - in an attempt to mitigate it.
I know I cannot even blame people who are posting such cases on SNS either - cause the algorithm of SNS works on things that can shock and go viral. Maybe that is why people are drawing such parallels. While these are opinions, I just hope people are careful with it - words are mighty and social media at this point in time the mightiest.
What might be said an opinion can be taken as a fact very easily and masses be swayed.
This one started pretty strong. Loved the first two episodes. Kim hye yoon is a really good actress. Some scenes…
I hope so too - that it does not become a drag in the middle, as is the case with so many new dramas. Also, cause I have anticipated this one for so long - both the leads are my absolute favs.
Let's see - not in our hands though, but we can just hope for the best and satisfactory drama!
There is a lot of comment on MDL and Social Media - where many are saying that this drama is based on Jonghyun/Moonbin's lives/death. I came across this comment of Diphylleia Grayi (https://kisskh.at/750099-time-walking-on-memory#comment-16897433, again wishing we could @ users on MDL)
As a fellow Shawol, I AM WITH this comment and while I do not feel disrespect, but I am disappointed to see the "fans" reactions. Hence penning some thoughts:
🔴 I think people are to eager to jump to conclusions, and at times for clickbaits on their reels/Tiktoks - make such statements, that the drama is inspired by Jonghyun or Moonbin's life. Cause if they were true fans, they will never make such statements/videos - which is harsh on the new drama, even before giving it a chance and indirectly shows that you are not truly a fan, but just here for some attention and shock value.
🔴 While the creators of the show have cleared that is not the case, and every drama always carries the line "any resemblance to any living/dead person is purely coincidental" - I don't understand why these statements come in. And in any case, we cannot go in the head of the manhwa or drama writers - who knows maybe they did take inspiration from the cases of real life celebs - but then worked their way differently for a story. We can never know for sure and that is okay.
🔴 Even if it is inspired should we not feel good - if we are true fans? Cause, okay here is a drama that talks about the pressures of the entertainment industry and what idols go through. Maybe this will help in propagating the message in the society that celebs are also people and we must be careful in how we react to them.
I for one - am still affected by some of the celebs that I followed since my teens but they passed away too soon - Jonghyun, Moonbin, Haruma Miura being some of them. While am still pained by that fact that I cannot enjoy their new work or know how they are doing, it does not stop me from celebrating their work. Afterall it is the legacy they have left behind and I will forever cherish them.
And in course of time, if there are dramas like True Beauty, Lovely Runner - that address the point of these serious issues of suicide due to pressure of work in the entertainment industry - I as a fan am sad cause it makes me remember their untimely deaths in real life- but am also hopeful/glad that someone is addressing these social evils/behaviors that still exist in our society, through the medium of dramas/manhwas/novels. ❤️
All the celeb cases in real life - were covered highly in media, cause the artists were high profile, and it is is always shocking and saddening. So it is human nature, that when you come across a similar incident/story - you tend to draw parallels. But this should by no means give on the right to use it for personal gains/badmouth someone's work (manhwa/drama in this case)
In conclusion, anyone cannot stop anyone else from expressing how they feel about the drama - its origins/inspirations included. But I really hope they do not use the real celeb's name just for personal gains (more likes/comments on their videos on SNS). We must be more understanding and see the new work as a whole - give it the chance to narrate its story/interpretation of something whose roots thrive from the real world.
Afterall that is what drives us to come back to dramas/art/music and other creative work when the reel and real connect. And inspired or not - if it makes you fondly remember your favorite celeb who passed away too soon - can that really be a bad thing for any true fan? 🙏🏻
Basically a rip off of the FL's previous drama Extraordinary You last 2019. The time travel, same school setting…
The themes maybe old/cliche - but the execution or rather this new interpretation will make it or break it. It can be an exciting new retelling with new characters/cast 🤞🏻
Common Elements are there - Not just Extraordinary You, there are a lot of parallels with other dramas also. Closest that come to mind is Someday or One Day and the K-remake, A Time Called You. In fact, even before the drama started and was only announced - I commented in MDL sharing how it sounds very similar to a Wattpad story, In 27 Days (one of my personal favs)
To your point - of course, since the actress is same, we are bound to compare it to Extraordinary You, directly along with the other common themes. While there Dan Ho wanted to survive and be the main character with Haru, here too - FL wants to avoid her accident and help ML survive as well.
But where I differ from your point - if the writers want it & I hope they do...the focus is a level deeper: unrequited love, pressures in society for idols and also someone living with a disability(I thought that intern job interview was a strong point on inclusion and diversity at workplace or rather lack of it), family dynamics, murder/suicide mystery of ML, accident of FL mystery - these are some of things that come to my mind that makes it already much different from Extraordinary You.
Themes of: Past Lovers, Survival, Murder/Suicide mystery, Time Travel, School etc. are quite common in dramas, and well loved. I guess we have to see how they execute it this time in this new drama, Lovely Runner.
Maybe both the boys were there at time of the accident. Tae Sung and Sun Jae also got injured while saving the FL. Tae Sung either died, or grievously injured to the point that he had to go incognito.
Sun Jae - feels a little guilty about this and now that his shoulder injury rehashed, it ended his swimming career. But to pay homage to Tae Sung and also be the kind of guy that FL likes - he chose to move his career towards singing/idol.
Maybe all this = being unable to express his love to FL, till present date + Knowing that he could have done more to save both of them - FL and Tae Sung + the pressures of the idol industry, drove him to take the drastic step to take his own life in 2022/2023.
Theory 2: Why the FL mother was shifty There is another element to the above. We are yet to see the FL's father. What if he is not a good person - greedy/drunkard etc- and he is the one who caused the accident?
Maybe some tiff with the mother - maybe she did not give him money or something, and he ended up ramming the mini truck towards his daughter when she went after him or something?
Okay - so this unnie has been anticipating this drama since long, and has binged the first 2 episode and now I…
Questions - basis Ep 2 end, ML POV:
Clearly, ML has had a one-sided crush on the FL, in the past - original timeline. I guess she never reciprocated and was chasing after Tae Sung. Eventually, getting into the accident and losing the use of her legs.
Questions: ❓1. Given the context we now know - coming to Eclipse on the radio chat show, where Sun Jae, ML dials a number of a fan and connects with FL. Was that a chance or on purpose?
Theory 1 - On Purpose: Did he want to know how she was doing - since for some reason he could not contact her directly?
Sub-Theory: He saved her and hurt his shoulder ending his swimming career. His father was angry at FL's mother and family, and forbade ML to speak to them, moving house/schools. But he never forgot her and saw this as a chance to reconnect?
Theory 2: Chance /Coincidence - and this is what we call destiny?
In either case - over the phone, he does realize her as old crush and hence asks her to continue living (I solidly believe he saved her, but didn't know her condition)
❓2. In 2022 - when it is snowing and he stops the car and offers the umbrella to FL, whose wheelchair is not working. Sun Jae - definitely knows who she is since in original timeline he had a crush on her?
❓3. When we see the table, after ML has taken his own life, by jumping off the balcony. There are a lot of pills and next to the wallet - a picture appears of the ML & FL together. What is that and why is that happening?
I really hope it is not cause he feels guilty seeing that he saved his crush but she is still in wheelchair and that was the last straw that drove him to take his own life. I really hope not 😥 But why did that picture appear???
Okay - so this unnie has been anticipating this drama since long, and has binged the first 2 episode and now I have some questions & theories - as with all good dramas! (In comment, under spoiler tag)
Have to praise: ⭐Byeon Woo Seok has all my heart - have followed his journey since so long, and so happy to see him in lead roles. And they better make his stay alive in this one with a happy ending.
⭐Kim Hye Yeon - while technically I have only seen her in Extraordinary You and in some cameos, here and there - she is amazing.
⭐Surprise cast was : Song Geon Hee as Kim Tae Sung (Thomas Cha, what are you doing here?) - he is going to suffer from the typical second ML syndrome, possibly another Han Seo Jun in making, but am not complaining, He is a treat for the eyes and brain cause he acts so well
Loving these leads and all the cast members in general, and hoping this drama ends as one of the best ones of 2024 🤞🏻The first episodes have been hook-worthy, and never have I ever wished for Mondays to come early, so that I can watch the story unfold!
Anyone else have a horrible feeling that her first crush/idol, Tae Sung, might have died while saving her? The…
Hmm, basis the flashback we see in the Ep 2 end, I think it was the ML - Ryu Sun Jae who saved her. We can already see he had a one-sided crush since he gave her the parcel. Also, in the flashback, though blurry the voice and outline is clearly Sun Jae.
But not sure - why her mother was so shifty about answering it. Theory on that is simply - he saved her and hurt his shoulder, which is what ended his swimming career. And his father made him shift schools/home to focus on something else.
Also, regarding Tae Sung - in 2022, as FL is in the car on the way to the concert, the friend says that Tae Sung withdrew from school else would have been expelled. I think they did not have anything much in the past (original timeline)- but things can change with the FL going back in time.
Thank you for taking the time and answering - really appreciate it! I have often seen on reels how great their chemistry is and which is what drew me to the drama since a long time. But there are other mixed reviews as well - which made me skeptical cause I love the leads as artists through their other works, so wanted to maintain that image.
But your comments really help, adding this to my watchlist to watch it soon. Thanks a ton again!
I have an opinion: why this drama is not doing well in ratings & as expected.
The plot has a lot characters, situations - but when the 3 main leads are discussing it, there is just verbal conversation, no visuals.
Example: When they are explaining that person X has reached out to Y, in order to get the business A under their control; or person Z is plotting something with person B - all this is being said very fast and just in one shot of whoever is delivering the dialogue (mostly LJW).
What could be better is that whenever anyone is giving such lengthy explanations - there could be a flashback, or visuals of those people they are talking about and giving it more action so that it is easier to follow. Right now - even though I love such tight intense plots - but it is very difficult to keep up with characters names and their plannings when only one person is saying it in a monologue.
Giving a close example - Reborn Rich. When Song Joong-ki's character is plotting something or explaining it - it is always shown with visuals. Either he is explaining to his aides using Presentation or there is parallel visual we see of the characters he is speaking of and what actions they are doing. Example: If character is saying X is taking bribes from Y, and planning another thing with Z - all this is shown while we have the voiceover from our main character.
Hence, Nothing wrong with the plot - but rather the execution or screenplay. #IMHO
P.S: This comment is written when I could manage watching till 4 episodes even after taking a huge break after first 2 episodes when it started airing. But I think the above could be one of the reasons why it is not being liked by most people as you'd expect.
Why not? Im Siwan was able to pull off the character of a high school student in his 30s.
Yes, but ultimately he will play a character of a high school student. I guess since K-actors anyways are blessed with young looks no matter their age, and hence can pull off the look and hence this storyline.
But I have seen this man grow - like from a long time now. And not just him, maybe someone like Cha Eun Woo can be a close example or even Byeon Woo Seok, they have had different roles recently - but if you see their works, most would lean towards high school. Playing a character well below their age.
Which is why my comment - I have been seeing this for so long, and it is an acceptable fact. But yes, I guess this is my personal wish that actors that are my favorite like them all get more diverse projects!
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I know I cannot even blame people who are posting such cases on SNS either - cause the algorithm of SNS works on things that can shock and go viral. Maybe that is why people are drawing such parallels. While these are opinions, I just hope people are careful with it - words are mighty and social media at this point in time the mightiest.
What might be said an opinion can be taken as a fact very easily and masses be swayed.
Let's see - not in our hands though, but we can just hope for the best and satisfactory drama!
Really hope that people are sensible about the topic - it is a profound one, before making such statements/comparisons.
As a fellow Shawol, I AM WITH this comment and while I do not feel disrespect, but I am disappointed to see the "fans" reactions. Hence penning some thoughts:
🔴 I think people are to eager to jump to conclusions, and at times for clickbaits on their reels/Tiktoks - make such statements, that the drama is inspired by Jonghyun or Moonbin's life. Cause if they were true fans, they will never make such statements/videos - which is harsh on the new drama, even before giving it a chance and indirectly shows that you are not truly a fan, but just here for some attention and shock value.
🔴 While the creators of the show have cleared that is not the case, and every drama always carries the line "any resemblance to any living/dead person is purely coincidental" - I don't understand why these statements come in. And in any case, we cannot go in the head of the manhwa or drama writers - who knows maybe they did take inspiration from the cases of real life celebs - but then worked their way differently for a story. We can never know for sure and that is okay.
🔴 Even if it is inspired should we not feel good - if we are true fans? Cause, okay here is a drama that talks about the pressures of the entertainment industry and what idols go through. Maybe this will help in propagating the message in the society that celebs are also people and we must be careful in how we react to them.
I for one - am still affected by some of the celebs that I followed since my teens but they passed away too soon - Jonghyun, Moonbin, Haruma Miura being some of them. While am still pained by that fact that I cannot enjoy their new work or know how they are doing, it does not stop me from celebrating their work. Afterall it is the legacy they have left behind and I will forever cherish them.
And in course of time, if there are dramas like True Beauty, Lovely Runner - that address the point of these serious issues of suicide due to pressure of work in the entertainment industry - I as a fan am sad cause it makes me remember their untimely deaths in real life- but am also hopeful/glad that someone is addressing these social evils/behaviors that still exist in our society, through the medium of dramas/manhwas/novels. ❤️
All the celeb cases in real life - were covered highly in media, cause the artists were high profile, and it is is always shocking and saddening. So it is human nature, that when you come across a similar incident/story - you tend to draw parallels. But this should by no means give on the right to use it for personal gains/badmouth someone's work (manhwa/drama in this case)
In conclusion, anyone cannot stop anyone else from expressing how they feel about the drama - its origins/inspirations included. But I really hope they do not use the real celeb's name just for personal gains (more likes/comments on their videos on SNS). We must be more understanding and see the new work as a whole - give it the chance to narrate its story/interpretation of something whose roots thrive from the real world.
Afterall that is what drives us to come back to dramas/art/music and other creative work when the reel and real connect. And inspired or not - if it makes you fondly remember your favorite celeb who passed away too soon - can that really be a bad thing for any true fan? 🙏🏻
https://open.spotify.com/album/0yaxMWGvOI7jSirSsKQj37?si=LtDiACNbQviEeFbQpcEDVA
The way he got scared thinking someone /water ghost was behind him or next to his shoulder.
Anyways, loving all these *ahem ahem* shirtless, I mean swimming scenes.
And the way FL zooms in to check his concert photos - so us fangirls/boys!
Common Elements are there - Not just Extraordinary You, there are a lot of parallels with other dramas also. Closest that come to mind is Someday or One Day and the K-remake, A Time Called You. In fact, even before the drama started and was only announced - I commented in MDL sharing how it sounds very similar to a Wattpad story, In 27 Days (one of my personal favs)
To your point - of course, since the actress is same, we are bound to compare it to Extraordinary You, directly along with the other common themes. While there Dan Ho wanted to survive and be the main character with Haru, here too - FL wants to avoid her accident and help ML survive as well.
But where I differ from your point - if the writers want it & I hope they do...the focus is a level deeper: unrequited love, pressures in society for idols and also someone living with a disability(I thought that intern job interview was a strong point on inclusion and diversity at workplace or rather lack of it), family dynamics, murder/suicide mystery of ML, accident of FL mystery - these are some of things that come to my mind that makes it already much different from Extraordinary You.
Themes of: Past Lovers, Survival, Murder/Suicide mystery, Time Travel, School etc. are quite common in dramas, and well loved. I guess we have to see how they execute it this time in this new drama, Lovely Runner.
Basis your theory - I have another one.
Maybe both the boys were there at time of the accident. Tae Sung and Sun Jae also got injured while saving the FL. Tae Sung either died, or grievously injured to the point that he had to go incognito.
Sun Jae - feels a little guilty about this and now that his shoulder injury rehashed, it ended his swimming career. But to pay homage to Tae Sung and also be the kind of guy that FL likes - he chose to move his career towards singing/idol.
Maybe all this = being unable to express his love to FL, till present date + Knowing that he could have done more to save both of them - FL and Tae Sung + the pressures of the idol industry, drove him to take the drastic step to take his own life in 2022/2023.
Theory 2: Why the FL mother was shifty
There is another element to the above. We are yet to see the FL's father.
What if he is not a good person - greedy/drunkard etc- and he is the one who caused the accident?
Maybe some tiff with the mother - maybe she did not give him money or something, and he ended up ramming the mini truck towards his daughter when she went after him or something?
Far-fetched, I know - but just a thought.
Really hoping this drama exceed expectations, and look forward to discuss it with you and fellow MDL watchers of the drama!
Clearly, ML has had a one-sided crush on the FL, in the past - original timeline.
I guess she never reciprocated and was chasing after Tae Sung. Eventually, getting into the accident and losing the use of her legs.
Questions:
❓1. Given the context we now know - coming to Eclipse on the radio chat show, where Sun Jae, ML dials a number of a fan and connects with FL. Was that a chance or on purpose?
Theory 1 - On Purpose: Did he want to know how she was doing - since for some reason he could not contact her directly?
Sub-Theory: He saved her and hurt his shoulder ending his swimming career. His father was angry at FL's mother and family, and forbade ML to speak to them, moving house/schools. But he never forgot her and saw this as a chance to reconnect?
Theory 2: Chance /Coincidence - and this is what we call destiny?
In either case - over the phone, he does realize her as old crush and hence asks her to continue living (I solidly believe he saved her, but didn't know her condition)
❓2.
In 2022 - when it is snowing and he stops the car and offers the umbrella to FL, whose wheelchair is not working. Sun Jae - definitely knows who she is since in original timeline he had a crush on her?
❓3.
When we see the table, after ML has taken his own life, by jumping off the balcony. There are a lot of pills and next to the wallet - a picture appears of the ML & FL together. What is that and why is that happening?
I really hope it is not cause he feels guilty seeing that he saved his crush but she is still in wheelchair and that was the last straw that drove him to take his own life. I really hope not 😥 But why did that picture appear???
Have to praise:
⭐Byeon Woo Seok has all my heart - have followed his journey since so long, and so happy to see him in lead roles. And they better make his stay alive in this one with a happy ending.
⭐Kim Hye Yeon - while technically I have only seen her in Extraordinary You and in some cameos, here and there - she is amazing.
⭐Surprise cast was : Song Geon Hee as Kim Tae Sung
(Thomas Cha, what are you doing here?) - he is going to suffer from the typical second ML syndrome, possibly another Han Seo Jun in making, but am not complaining, He is a treat for the eyes and brain cause he acts so well
Loving these leads and all the cast members in general, and hoping this drama ends as one of the best ones of 2024 🤞🏻The first episodes have been hook-worthy, and never have I ever wished for Mondays to come early, so that I can watch the story unfold!
But not sure - why her mother was so shifty about answering it. Theory on that is simply - he saved her and hurt his shoulder, which is what ended his swimming career. And his father made him shift schools/home to focus on something else.
Also, regarding Tae Sung - in 2022, as FL is in the car on the way to the concert, the friend says that Tae Sung withdrew from school else would have been expelled. I think they did not have anything much in the past (original timeline)- but things can change with the FL going back in time.
5 June 2024 Update: They are all out on Dramanice! YASSS!
I have often seen on reels how great their chemistry is and which is what drew me to the drama since a long time. But there are other mixed reviews as well - which made me skeptical cause I love the leads as artists through their other works, so wanted to maintain that image.
But your comments really help, adding this to my watchlist to watch it soon. Thanks a ton again!
I have been waiting for this drama for so long, love the leads to bits. Really hope this show ends as one of the best dramas of 2024 🤞🏻
The plot has a lot characters, situations - but when the 3 main leads are discussing it, there is just verbal conversation, no visuals.
Example: When they are explaining that person X has reached out to Y, in order to get the business A under their control; or person Z is plotting something with person B - all this is being said very fast and just in one shot of whoever is delivering the dialogue (mostly LJW).
What could be better is that whenever anyone is giving such lengthy explanations - there could be a flashback, or visuals of those people they are talking about and giving it more action so that it is easier to follow. Right now - even though I love such tight intense plots - but it is very difficult to keep up with characters names and their plannings when only one person is saying it in a monologue.
Giving a close example - Reborn Rich. When Song Joong-ki's character is plotting something or explaining it - it is always shown with visuals. Either he is explaining to his aides using Presentation or there is parallel visual we see of the characters he is speaking of and what actions they are doing.
Example: If character is saying X is taking bribes from Y, and planning another thing with Z - all this is shown while we have the voiceover from our main character.
Hence, Nothing wrong with the plot - but rather the execution or screenplay. #IMHO
P.S: This comment is written when I could manage watching till 4 episodes even after taking a huge break after first 2 episodes when it started airing. But I think the above could be one of the reasons why it is not being liked by most people as you'd expect.
I guess since K-actors anyways are blessed with young looks no matter their age, and hence can pull off the look and hence this storyline.
But I have seen this man grow - like from a long time now. And not just him, maybe someone like Cha Eun Woo can be a close example or even Byeon Woo Seok, they have had different roles recently - but if you see their works, most would lean towards high school. Playing a character well below their age.
Which is why my comment - I have been seeing this for so long, and it is an acceptable fact. But yes, I guess this is my personal wish that actors that are my favorite like them all get more diverse projects!