Lovely Runner Full Review Without Spoilers: Why You Must Watch It!
2024 buzz worthy kdrama. Genre: Romance, time travel, romantic comedy, fantasy
Network: tvN
Episodes: 16
Release Date: April 8 - May 28, 2024
Leads:
Byeon Woo Seok as Ryu Seon-Jae
Kim Hye Yoon as Lim Sol
Song Geon Hee as Kim Tae Sung
Lee Seung Hyub as Baek In Hyuk
We have seen too many time travel kdramas in the last years! Unfortunately, they are not all worth it and some are a total waste of time, difficult to understand, too many loop holes, you do not know if they are in the present or past… It is one the most tricky genres of kdramas.
Okay, so let’s talk about one of them, Lovely Runner, the K-drama that’s got everyone talking and falling in love. Seriously, if you haven’t watched it yet, what are you even doing?!
This drama is everything we’ve been craving—romance, deep emotions, laughs, tears, and even a bit of time travel. It's the full package, and I’m here to give you the lowdown (without spoiling anything, of course!).
The story
Ryu Seon-Jae (Byeon Woo-Seok) is a top star who seems to have it all. On the other hand, we have Lim Sol (Kim Hye-Yoon), who has been an adoring fan of Seon-Jae. After a tragic accident made her give up on her own dreams, his music became her comfort.
But everything changes when she hears the shocking news that Seon-Jae has ended his own life. Deeply saddened, Lim Sol somehow travels back in time to 15 years ago, where she meets a 19-year-old Seon-Jae in high school. Now, she must figure out how to prevent his tragic future.
A story that gives you all the feels
The story of Lovely Runner is honestly so good. It's got everything—a bit of comedy, a lot of romance, some heartbreaking moments, and even some sci-fi elements with the time travel twist.
There are times when it might feel like it’s dragging/repeating, but the acting and the fun moments make up for it. One minute you're laughing, and the next, you're on the verge of tears. And then, boom! The romance scenes hit, and you're just left swooning. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, and you’ll be loving every second of it. You just can’t get enough of Sung Jae and Lim Sol.
Downside of the story
When it comes to why did Sung Jae die in the first place, the story is not very convincing and is not very logical in my opinion.
There may be some small plot holes noticed along the 16 episodes of the drama.
An excellent acting and another level chemistry
First of all, this is Byeon Woo Seok’s first drama as a lead, and he went the extra mile for Lovely Runner by learning professional swimming just for the drama, adding a realistic and dedicated touch to his role as a professional swimmer.
The acting overall is truly exceptional, showcasing a fantastic chemistry between the lead characters, Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, that feels both genuine and electrifying. Especially, Byeon Woo Seok was able to embody the emotional depth of his character and didn’t feel like he is acting at all.
The supporting cast, also deliver standout performances that are so convincing that you can’t imagine anyone else playing those roles.
Together, they create a captivating ensemble that elevates the entire series.
The second lead syndrome is real
Now, let’s talk about the second lead, Kim Tae Sung, played by Song Geon Hee. Oh my gosh, you will definitely catch a case of second lead syndrome with this one. Tae Sung is super likable—so much that you'll start feeling bad for him because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the guy who’s just as sweet and caring but doesn’t get the girl? But even though you might feel sorry for him, it’s not enough to make you want him to replace Seon-Jae. The writers did an awesome job of balancing his character, making sure he adds depth to the story without taking away from the main couple.
Lovely runner OST:
One of the standout elements of Lovely Runner is its incredible OST, which perfectly captures the emotions of the drama. The soundtrack adds depth to every scene, making the love story between the leads even more unforgettable. The tracks are beautifully composed, blending soothing melodies with heartfelt lyrics that stick with you long after the episode ends.
Many of the soundtracks are by the group in the drama itself ECLIPSE and sang by the male lead Byeon Woo Seok himself.
Some of the most loved tracks include:
Eclipse - Sudden shower
Eclipse - No fate
Eclipse - You & I
Eclipse - Run run
N.Flying - Star
Minnie (G)I-DLE - Like a dream
Eclipse - I’ll be there
Jongho (ATEEZ) - A day
Jae Yeon - Monologue
10 CM - Spring snow
Bravo to the supporting characters
To be honest, sometimes the humour seemed over the top and some scenes seemed not necessary at all (will not add spoilers). I especially didn’t like a scene which I found “too much” and wondered why would they make the actors go to that extent just to supposedly be funny when the story is already amazing and that was not needed. I found it inappropriate and not funny at all.
However, that was not enough to change my opinion about the drama. In fact, the supporting characters in Lovely Runner are still something else. Seon-Jae’s dad, played by Kim Won Hae, and Lim Sol’s mom, played by Jung Young Joo, bring so much humor and heart to the story. Whenever they interact, it’s pure gold.
They’ve got this hilarious dynamic that just takes the drama to another level. You’ll find yourself laughing out loud at their antics, which is a nice break from the more intense scenes. And honestly, they make the family feel so real and relatable.
The ending: totally worth it
I know a lot of people are worried about how dramas end, especially when they’ve been so invested in the story. But don’t worry—Lovely Runner gives us the happy ending we deserve. It wraps up all the emotional rollercoasters and leaves you with that warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to go back and rewatch the whole thing just to experience it all over again.
Why you need to watch this drama
If you’re into time travel stories, romance, deep feelings, love stories that make your heart ache in the best way possible, flutter and makes you have goose bumps down your spine at every scene, Lovely Runner is a must-watch. The love story between Seon-Jae and Lim Sol is one for the ages—so real, so intense, and just... ugh, perfect. And with a happy ending to top it all off, you really can’t go wrong. Whether you’re new to K-dramas or a long-time fan, this one’s going to stay with you long after the credits roll.
My rating: 9.5/10—A must-watch! & A MUST re-watch
So, in case it wasn’t obvious, I’m giving Lovely Runner a solid 9.5/10.
It’s nearly perfect, and the reasons it’s not a full 10 is that the story is a bit of dragging in a few episodes. Also, not all humour scenes were funny and appreciated in my opinion.
But, I found this drama so good, it can make you forget about its downsides with the emotions it gives you and the love story. If you haven’t watched it yet, do yourself a favor and start now. You won’t regret it!
Pros of the drama:
The actors and their immersive acting
The feelings and heart fluttering scenes
The chemistry
The story
The OST and cinematography
The supporting characters
Neutral:
Time travel frequency: Not sure to include this in pros or cons, time travel is definitely used frequently in Lovely runner. It is true that maybe sometimes it was not that necessary, but not to that extent to confuse you.
Cons of the drama:
Some unnecessary humour
Some small plot holes
Some repetitiveness or dragging of the story
Bottom line: It’s a drama that will make you think, why didn’t I watch it until now? And it will make you feel empty after finishing all episodes!
Go grab some snacks, get comfy, and dive into the world of Lovely Runner. Trust me, it’s going to be a wild, emotional ride that you won’t want to miss!
Are you watching too many dramas at the same time like me and losing track of all of them and their best moments? 😩✨
If you are collecting k-dramas like me who has watched hundreds kdramas so far from 2005, you might want to grab this Korean Drama Tracker journal I made with love for myself and for every fellow kdrama lover. I do not want to miss or forget any kdrama I watched and I believe you feel the same!
Available on Amazon in many countries in English, German and Spanish.
English:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CJLWFG3S
German:
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0D6KZ4HDZ
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6KZ4HDZ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D6KZ4HDZ
Spanish:
https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0D6KWLMHH