Happy Pill
It’s hard to put perfectly into words just how amazing Lovely Runner is, but it is without a doubt, one of the best ones out there. Aside from the fiery chemistry of the leads. The storyline and narrative itself is just top notch. The way it could just make viewers like me feel so giddy in one second and fearful and stressed on the next is just perfect. I also loved how the ending unfolded. How it stressed that memories are etched in the heart. I just wish we had more time to uncover if and how is Grandma connected to the time traveling that’s happened. Speaking of Grandma, big kudos as well to the great family dynamics of this show. Within all the timelines all the family interactions where great. The love showcased within was truly heartwarming. Ahh~ would definitely rewatch this again.Was this review helpful to you?
Started confusing... Ended up just okay.
While the story seemed confusing, especially during the first few episodes, it all started to make a bit of sense halfway through the series.The murder mystery aspect of the drama is actually gripping, it's just that viewers have to brave a couple of episodes for the whole thing to make sense. The hallucinations part, while it helped the storyline, is also very confusing given the timeline when the story was taking place. Felt like a watched magical realism / murder mystery to be honest...
Lastly, I don't really understand the point of the female main lead as she has the weakest plotline in the story. Almost every character present was important and involved in the murder that happened years ago, except her.
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Beautiful - In All Aspects
BEAUTIFUL & HEARTWARMING! The story, the acting, the production, and the visual effects- I find each of these categories as well thought of and done beautifully. The story isn't as burdensome and angst heavy as others, and that's the main reason I loved this show. Viewers will still be able to enjoy each episode even if there are some heavy scenes. Also, there's character growth, and both strong and equal male and female leads. The acting was also perfect as it was able to blend seamlessly into the story. The portrayal was done right and didn't seem too overboard or underwhelming. There are characters you'll root for until the end, characters you'll hate until the end, and characters you'll grow to either love or hate. Overall, I'm very pleased with this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Definitely a 2025 Favorite!
This series made me tear up more than it’s necessary. I love the main characters and their endless quest to sacrifice each other for the other one to survive.The loyalty that comes with friendship and a promise made was executed so well in this series. While the “love” concept seems rushed at first, how it was developed overtime was also very fluid to the storyline. This isn’t just the love that comes romantically; it’s also the love for ones family, friends, and calling in life
Ji Ho, Gyeon Woo, Seong-A, and even Bong Su were quite the team! They were very fun to watch! Their camaraderie with each other was truly admirable. I realized anout the the end of the series that Bong Su isn’t someone one could consider a villain, but was also just a victim of the past. Plus, his antics were both hilarious and freaking heart wrenching.
I wish more was shown and the ending was more developed, but over for a 12 episode series, this was pretty great.
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A Great Way To Raise Awareness
Captivating. A fresh concept with a light and yet impactful storyline. Narrates the hardships and biases that one with disabilities experience on a day to day basis.Also very pleased with the significant character developments shown- while some character growth felt like it was done in haste, it still blended seamlessly to the story and was done beautifully.
Plus, kudos to Young Woo's Dad, for doing everything he can to raise her up and not giving up even on the toughest of moments.
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Probably 2024’s Best
Loved this drama. It was something I always looked forward to at the end of every week.The angst, the action, the drama, the plot, they were all wonderfully made.
And as much as I love romance and the chemistry between the leads, this is probably the first time that it didn’t become my focus or priority. I was so engrossed in the story that I just want to know what will happen to Justitia and the gang in the end.
Speaking of the end… While the open ending gives everyone a somewhat happy ending; because it’ll be up to us to interpret what Justitia’s next action will be, I still preferred if they ended this on a bittersweet note. I think the impact would even be bigger. Because in all honesty, the plot twist to give her mortality in the end, beats the purpose of her being an actual judge from hell with zero f**ks to give. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the character growth of Justitia, but let’s be honest, we cannot erase that at the end of this all, they are still from hell… And I was somehow prepared that this will be like a CLOY love story with heaven and hell as the barrier... I just really wish that the ending was more thorough, or more options were given, rather than it being focused on just giving a happy-happy good ending fan service for everyone.
But overall, I still love this drama. Very much so one of the best for 2024.
-.5 just because I can’t with the ending. This is probably a me issue though.
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Cute. Light Hearted. Bingeworthy.
I DEVOURED this series. Truly, one of the best ones there is when it comes to light-hearted shows.I loved how even if it's light with very little to no drama, the story still packs a punch. It was able to execute perfectly the merging of fiction to nonfiction (aka real life). I appreciate how it also focused on character and emotional growth and enjoying the present moment, rather than on love triangles or the usual business feuds. This is such a feel-good show that I'll be recommending it to those looking for something light, cute, and romantic. Plus, can I just say that the chemistry between the leads is just pure fire. From the first episode alone, I can't stop watching them. Definitely s show worth rewatching!
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Surprisingly really enjoyable!
As a person who loves love and the feeling it gives throughout, I truly enjoyed this show. It portrays the feeling of youth. From initially liking someone, to getting to know them, courting them, caring for them, and then falling in love with them.What made this show so fun to watch is that it presented us the possible beginning of love. And it didn't cheap out on the storyline as well, all possible love matches were given an equal amount of time to present their stories and get introduced. Not only that, it was also able to present the growth of all these possible love interests. Which made it harder for viewers like me to root for just one of them.
The ending is also very well done as it didn't force the FML to choose a love interest. She learned from her past and decided to take her time and not rush head on into finding love.
Honestly, a really great and light show to feel good!
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Good Pastime
With only five minutes per episode, I'm surprised and in awe that it was still both able to be action and angst-packed. There are a lot of serious issues/events that were shown (fake identity, murder, kidnapping, etc.), but it was all instantly resolved. This show is a good pastime for those looking for something fast to watch. But sadly, there'll be no character attachment given how short the episodes are and how fast most of the events take place. Also, for those wondering, the romance was short, cute, and just okay, it wasn't the main theme of the story; and honestly, I feel like it could've been developed more. Overall, this was a short and good series.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Different- In A Good & Bad Way
The execution of this drama, especially during the first few episodes was spot on from the webtoon. The addendums they added, like the second life of Seo Ha's mother, the relationship of Min Ki to Ji Eum, and how the uncle of Seo Ha surrendered were great and honestly top-notch.What led to the downfall, in my personal opinion, was the number of flashbacks they used and reused in the entirety of the show. In Episode 12 alone there were three flashbacks already. It was too time-consuming; time that could've been used to add more story and depth towards the ending they gave.
Then there's also the ending, since Ji Eum will not be remembering Ae Kyung, who would've brought her up? Who would be with her during her formative days? Since there's no Seo Ha, what would make her dedicated enough during her younger years to persevere?
The ending they gave- which was VERY different from the webtoon, became too full of plot holes. While it was a meet cute kind of ending they presented, it left too many plotholes in place.
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Family. A Mother and Child Bond
Honestly, 95% of the time the mother in this series got into my nerves. But, the last 5% of the whole storyline became the saving grace of this show; it is not because the mother changed drastically, but because her changes were very small yet somehow highlighted her somewhat crazy yet caring way of thinking.The micro management of the Mom about everything and to everyone is honestly grating. She’s honestly and without a doubt the true antagonist and protagonist of this show.
But, there is something gut wrenching about how that kind of suffocating love is also and is still love. Love that some people long for. Love that some people dream about. While it is too much, we can never discount that she love her kids and her family.
In essence, I think this show was able to capture the realness of love in the family. All families are not perfect. All families have feuds from within. But at the end of the day, when all is rooted in love, there is security and peace to be with the family.
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Enjoyable
The title itself already gives a clue not to take the whole story too seriously and to just enjoy the show without being too objective. If done so, the story and flow of the show is actually good and enjoyable.The FL is a strong heroine, she knows what she wants and she fights for it. There's a reason for her behavior and the saying that 'there's more than meets the eye' is the perfect definition for her. The supporting female leads and their stories are also worthwhile to watch and be invested in. I feel that they're not just tools used to benefit the leads, but they contribute to the actual flow of the story. One of my favorite characters is the lady and wait and best friend of the FL, Xu Shi Jin. Her goals and her actions in the show are actual scene stealers and just plain boss lady moves.
As for the male main lead and the supporting male leads/characters, I think that while they contribute to the story greatly and help give the viewers the butterflies with their romantic moves; their other purpose in the story is to also help with the growth of their partners.
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Boring and Cringey
I couldn’t enjoy watching this at all. While the story had lessons packed in, the execution felt really off. There was literally no chemistry between the leads and the acting really felt like an acting, it’s not carrying the story. It was truly difficult for me to watch this series as the acting part really took a big hit and felt too forced. The romance aspect between the main leads were also too cringey for my liking. The story of the boss and her wife was somehow more interesting than everything else.Was this review helpful to you?
Lacking
The theme of this series is focused on finding one's self and growing as a person. While the story was somewhat able to carry on the theme of the drama, the casting, acting and the production fell really short.The casts had no chemistry. The acting was too cringey. While the story had it's purpose and meaning, it still felt flat. The production skimp so much on it's budget that the environment of the show was so bad it actually affects the overall enjoyment and story flow of the show.
This was an okay show. But definitely not something worth rewatching.
Please note that I'am not a hater. It's just that the sadly everything about this drama was lacking.
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Enjoyable, Fun & Light
This is honestly one of the rare times that I wish the episodes are longer. I just want to see what happens next on both sides of the story- past and present.Although storywise it's just the usual hate to love plotline embedded in political drama, what carried the show is the chemistry between the leads. Though their romance progress took time to develop it was still entertaining to watch. Honestly, I wish they also gave time to show how their story will progress during the present time.
Overall, this is a great show to watch to past time.
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