Lovely Runner (2024)

enchanted

Well, I confess that I became interested in this drama by reading the synopsis which, in short, talks about a fan who obtains the power to go back in time to try to save her favorite idol right after he supposedly committed suicide in 2023. To try to save him , Sol goes back to 2008 where she was still a student and Sunjae, the idol she admired so much, was also still a student. There are MANY plots (breaking expectations) that make you fall in love with each episode and the protagonists. I would never have imagined that both would have such a deep and interconnected story. The feelings they both feel are transmitted in such a pure and human way that it is impossible not to be moved. I cried in almost every scene (I consider myself very sensitive). So far, for me, Lovely Runner has become the best drama of 2024 in my opinion, Byeon Woo-seok (Sunjae) and Kim Hye-yoon (Im Sol) gave a show of chemistry, comfort and emotion in each scene they starred in together . I recommend it a thousand times and a thousand more if possible, it was wonderful to watch every second of this masterpiece episode ☔?

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Honest Review: Not Perfect, yet one of the best of 2024!

There have been moments in my 18 years of drama-addicted life, where I have been obsessed with a drama - its plot, actors, characters, scenes - to the point that made people question my sanity. But never have I come across a drama, that too airing, that has impacted me so much from Day 1 like Lovely Runner! I hardly have time to sleep/eat managing my work-personal life, but for this show - I decided to throw it all away to engage in MDL theories, comment and even create a Insta page dedicated to this show!

Now that you have got an understanding of obsession, and I know this is going in the HALL OF FAME as one of the best K-dramas I have seen till date BUT it is IMPERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL. Hence, please read my un-biased review of this drama:

❤️ Ep 1-10 - Literal Perfection
Heart Fluttering Romance ✔ | Well-Timed Comedy ✔ | right amount of fantasy, suspense & angst ✔ | Music that heals ✔
Basically these episodes had sugar and spice - think of everything that you like in a drama, irrespective of genre, and Lovely Runner has it. The hype it initially created deserved every bit of recognition - and everyone in the cast and crew gave it their heart, which made the final presentation something to look forward to even on dreaded Mondays!

❤️ Byeon Woo Seok & Kim Hye Soon
I cannot even begin to describe the love & pride I feel for these two. Those who are acquainted with their journey would understand how long it has taken for them to be recognized as main leads in this industry. They literally breathed life into their characters - making the chemistry palpable that I won't be surprised if they share they are dating IRL. I think when we say that you cannot imagine anyone else doing these roles OR their character names is recalled more than their real names - it is a testimony of a job fabulously done. They were both amaJING and unbelieBUBBLE and I cannot wait to see them in new projects. Literally the example of #onwards-and-upwards - I am rooting for their success & happiness, and grateful that they took this project and gifted me with such a beautiful experience & memory.

❤️ Music:
I really love how they used the plot story and band - Eclipse and released the OST. Really love these kind of witty nuggets - am such a sucker for it. Thinking from a business perspective - this opens so many doors for BWS who has sung these tracks - to host concerts or sing in his fan meetings. I guess the sharp minds of the industry and agency must have already thought of it.

But I feel the main track - Sudden Shower (Sonaki/소나기) is so damn beautiful and I loved how catalytic it was in the plot.
Other favorites: Spring Snow by 10cm, Like a Dream by Minnie. Already a part of my playlist, and I know it will stay for long.

Now, onto what could have been better? Ep 11 and onwards
Please note that I write this with the mindset of "WABI-SABI" i.e. Beauty in Imperfection. The drama is still is great, but it is not without flaws:

✘ Character Development:
Harsh but true - the leads were uni-dimensional, having only one goal throughout FL wants to save ML, ML is all about puppy love for FL. Not bad per se, but by stretching this overkilled what was initially cute, heart warming, toe curling into fillers. Even the support characters (brother/best friend, In Hyuk, Tae Seong, FL & ML's parents) & villain were not judiciously used to their potential. They were enjoyable whenever onscreen, but the same kind of comedy due to repeating timelines killed the initial excitement thereby not leaving with the greatest impression.

Had this been a 10-12 episode drama format, it would have more impactful, as the repeats/fillers would have not been there. I quote this from a fellow MDL user, Kate's review: it did seem like that they ran out of what to create, in the second half and therefore repurposed many of the epic scenes in new timeline packaging. (Read her review here: https://mydramalist.com/profile/Shini/review/363193)

❤️Overall
In the end - the anticipation and fun that we had as we watched while it aired might not be felt by those who binge it. Hence I am fearful the high ratings we see now, might dwindle. But honestly, this has been a very refreshing, feel good, guilty pleasure drama (thirst trap - included: BWS shirtless scenes, them veiny forearms & hands, long fingers, ability to catch a woman by her waist - OOOHLALALA!) but mainly a show that has after a long time: made me smile in a way that split my face in half or snort like a goofy person at the antics the drama characters played. And what else do you want from a drama : Other than the fact that it makes you feel happy from the bottom of your heart! Lovely Runner did that and more and hence recommend it to be watched at least once ❤️

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Worth binge-watching

What I loved the most: AMAZING OSTs!

I'm kind of glad I watched this after it ended and not while it was airing. It would have honestly bored me out and would have frustrated me.

This drama was hyped too much that I had to see it for myself. Consider that it had been years since the last time I watched kdramas, and this was my second kdrama during summer — with a late rating. It gotten me out of my kdrama slump to be honest. But I remember while watching, around episode 9, I thought to myself, “okay, they could've ended this here? Why make it 16 episodes long?” and during the time I was watching, it made sense to me. But looking back, the plot was actually unecessarily dragged for too long.

Did I enjoy it still? A lot. It's the type worth binge-watching (I finished this in 2 days) because some parts still keep you at the edge of your seat and make you crave for more (me personally, because I saw some say that they almost dropped this because of those twists.)

But honestly? It looks like the hype was only because of Wooseok and his loserism, which watchers these days love. I doubt this would get the same hype if it wasn't for the twist in Episode 2 too.

It also had plot holes, lots of them. Why did the taxi driver badly want Sol and Sunjae killed? I also don't get how the watch worked.

To conclude, I have a love-hate relationship with this drama. It's a good watch, especially for those who love romcom and the “he fell first trope”! I also loved how they got to meet as highschool students, college students, and as adults who have jobs. The time travelling concept was tiring, but Sol and Sunjae's relationship was cute and heart-fluttering.

The OST for this drama is my favorite! The songs used here are so beautiful, especially Sonagi / Sudden Shower. Ugh, favorite! Also, the N.Flying song, Star!

Also, Hyeyoon deserves more recognition!

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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 ?

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let's kidnap and run!!

omg, it took me a while to write a review about this but nevertheless i did it!!

this kdrama gives all the vibes i want, the characters, the ost, the acting is so good you gonna rewatch it all the time.

sunjae omg SUNJAE! you are one of the best main characters i've watched, you are a green flag through and through - even how many times he goes back and forth through time he'll end up falling in love with im sol ?

im sol the cute woman you are, to classmate to a fan to being his first love and to being his forever ahhhhhh!! so lucky!!

love love the plot and the main goal of the story for sunjae to stay alive.

ost is also at its finest - sudden shower is my favorite ?

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Good Enough

Korean Drama '' Lovely Runner '' is a fantasy romantic melodrama.

The story has a light mood throughout its length, though there is a lot of drama and tragedy in the story. However, the comedy parts were plenty and just enough to keep things entertaining, and the main character was fun and energetic which aided a lot.

Also, the romance was cute and it worked well with the nostalgia that the school and youthful past storyline had to offer.

In addition, the drama did a good job handling the fantasy element and blending it well with the criminal case.

Finally, the performances were all great by every actor and actress in the cast.

So, overall, nine out of ten.

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best kdrama in the history of all time tbh

best casting in a drama ever like.. I became huge fans of them both after this. this drama has all the genres and tropes you've ever loved. youth, childhood, loser boyfriend, he fell first AND fell hardest, grumpy vs sunshine, angst etc the list goes on. the ultimate feel good drama that makes you cry and laugh in equal amounts. anyone who comments on plotholes etc just does not get the point of this drama who cares about the time travel plot and script in so much detail???? what makes this drama so good is all the tropes and the funniest and cutest scenes between the two. we get to see them grow up literally. high school to college to adult life we get to see them in every single stage of their life. even their families and friends were so entertaining. never been so obsessed with a drama like the before even the OSTs have me in a chokehold. anyone who thinks this drama is less than amazing just hates happiness that's all there is to it.

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This is exactly the rom-com we needed

I have been anticipating this drama since they announced it. I honestly, watched the first episode after it's released without thinking about the consequence and pain having to wait for a new episode each week but we're here! Lol Never ever crossed my mind that they would give us THIS much chemistry and let alone be obsessed with SolJae couple. Seriously, this pairing is so GOOD and so cute.

Kim Hye Yoon deserves to be casted as she truly portrayed Im Sol. She shined so much here. Her versatility and her showing so many emotions all at once is remarkable.

Byeon Woo Seok, delivers Ryu Sun Jae's character as well. His dynamics and expressions are on point. I'm literally in awe of how talented he is?! Like, his vocals??? He could do KPOP/Band vocalist full time! So happy for him he's getting the popularity he deserves now. (Don't sleep on him! He might be the next rom-com king!)

This is exactly the rom-com I needed. I honestly love this so much as I have been looking for dramas that are light and not stressful. This is what I'm hoping for! All tropes that I like are visible here. I just hope they won't focus on the thriller/murder part because that's seriously a turn off. Lol

It's still early to say as we gradually go on with the episodes but 9.1 rating is so deserving!!!!

??‍♀️Dimple couple??‍♂️~~~!!! Fighting!!!!

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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

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A total fan service!

Before starting the review, I'll share my experience while watching "Lovely Runner." For the first time, I followed a show from Day 1 to the last episode. I used to wait eagerly for each new episode to be released and would watch it immediately—not just to avoid spoilers, but because the show had me giggling, kicking my feet, blushing, and feeling stressed all at the same time ><

Let's start the review now?!

The story of the show “Lovely Runner” is centered on Im Sol, a hardcore fan who is heartbroken by the sudden death of her favorite idol, Sun Jae, as he tragically dies. As she is in the process of accepting his fate of death, Im Sol travels back in time to 2008 when Sun Jae is still a teenager. Not wanting to see her beloved one in his tragic ending, she attempts to alter his destiny.

Ryu Sun Jae?! WHERE do I start from, gosh?! HE is the need of the hour, for saving humanity and preserving human sanity HAHA. Byeon Woo Seok breathed life into Sun Jae like no other actor could. He was made for this role, setting a standard for male leads in the drama world. Sun Jae is such a refreshing character, brimming with expressions, energy, and excitement. From his giggles and blushes to his veins and vulnerability in love, I was in love with him ?And HE graduated from the University of Loserism with flying marks(⁠◠⁠‿⁠◕⁠)

Im Sol, the most adorable munchkin FL. Hye Yoon has captured my heart with her talent for portraying angst. Honestly, I did enjoyed her character. It made sense for her to hesitate, worry, and push away the ML to *some extent*. However, her decision-making lacked rationality. It's understandable that she often acted impulsively due to her circumstances, but when you are stuck in a never-ending cycle, it's important to take a step back and think logically, that's how I felt about it.

The chemistry between our leads was adorable, full of giggles and blushes, which might make you cringe (no, it is not! I'm just jealous because I haven't experienced this kind of love yet TT). They were a swoon-worthy couple that makes you want to experience a Wattpad romance irl, filled with countless little gestures, that gets you screaming externally/internally(⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

Tae Seong is now added to list of my favorite second male leads. He's non-problematic and full of fun. There was never a dull scene with him. I enjoyed his dynamic with Sol a lot. I wished they had given us more of his bromance with Sun Jae. I appreciate that the writer's made Tae Seong likable yet he never over powered the ML, and thus no SLS in this one.

Im Sol's Brother and her friend's story was veryyy random and off for most of the time, like it was too RANDOM to have a opinion about it. I felt like I'm watching a different show altogether, I skipped their scenes at times ngl. NO BRAINER in simple words.

Supporting characters were very nice as well, like no unreasonably bitch behaviour by either parents of the leads. I love how loving and supportive they were towards their kids and bickering is fine with me♡

OST's that you definitely need to check out!
• Sudden Shower by ECLIPSE
• Like a dream by MINNIE
• Spring Snow by 10 cm
All these OST's were so soothing to hear, I listen to them ON LOOP, no joke!

So where it went wrong for me:
•The time travel elements were frustrating to watch at times, with decisions feeling impromptu and unplanned.
•Use of misunderstanding as plot developments
•The female lead constantly pushing the male lead away, repeatedly, was tiring to watch after a point.
•The murder mystery plot was initially engaging but became frustrating due to its lack of motivation and random developments.
•The repetitive flashbacks, showing the same scenes over and over, were also annoying.
•Tae Seong not getting enough screen timeರ⁠_⁠ರ

This was a plot-driven drama that started off fast-paced with many rapid development happening in the initial episodes. However, by episodes 10-11, it slowed down. Comedic elements took over, and some scenes felt like fillers to many of the viewers. I didn't mind personally because the comedic timing in this drama was extremely on point but there were many flashbacks and repetitive scenes, so I ended up skipping scenes here and there.

Overall, Lovely Runner is a fluffy watch (can't say that, mystery plot can be frustrating and too stressful at times). But it offers plenty of giggles and a refreshing take on the romance genre. With great comedic timing and some interesting plot developments, bits of dumb writing but remains an entertaining watch rather than a flawless one.

If you're looking for a solid, no-loopholes story, intellectual time travel drama, this isn't it. The time travel aspect is far from perfect. But if you watch it as a romantic comedy, you'll be entertained.

Thank you for reading my review ^^
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"Lovely Runner" becomes one of those timeless dramas

Review by : flowerbby

"Lovely Runner" weaves a storyline that is not only aesthetic and beautiful but also deeply enjoyable. The tone of the drama is enriched with a graceful aesthetic and charming, lighthearted comedy that delights. Every actor delivers a remarkable performance, with Kim Hye Yoon in the lead role truly shining. Her portrayal is exceptional, reaffirming that she fully deserves the title of an actress whose work you can always trust. Byeon Woo Seok is equally captivating, bringing Sun Jae to life with such profound and heart-wrenching emotion.

Each episode masterfully keeps the audience on their toes, with a plot that surprises and stirs deep feelings, making it impossible to move on easily. "Lovely Runner" leaves an indelible mark—it’s a drama that is hard to forget and will be cherished for a long time. This work is truly a gem, and I sincerely hope "Lovely Runner" becomes one of those timeless dramas. As a devoted fan, I know I will never forget this series, and I’m deeply grateful that it concluded so beautifully.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the screenwriter, director, and every crew member who collaborated to create this masterpiece. Your dedication and hard work have brought this wonderful story to life, and it is deeply appreciated.

#solsunsubeom ??

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