Lovely Runner (2024)

A beautiful start, a beautiful journey and an epic end.

A epic journey with wonderful actors. A compelling story with no boring episodes.

Story
The drama is a epic romantic story that contains sad moments to the funniest moments you will ever watch. The POV of each characters are written very well. The POV of how the characters see each other will make you giggle and cry like teenagers even if you are grown a** adults. The last time i had this much fun watching a drama each week was when woo young woo came out.

Music
Just add the whole OST album to your Spotify playlist cause you will enjoy every single one.

Acting
The whole cast are really good specially Hye Yoon the Female lead. She goes from making you cry to make you smile in seconds. Her facial expressions to the tone of her voice is epic. The comedic acting of the ML is also epic. Cheers to all the other actors, every one of them is a 10/10.

Will definitely rewatch.

Lire davantage

Enjoy the romance

I just finished this kdrama and I think it will be one of those where I will ignore what I didn't like so much just because what I did like had more weight.
I decided to watch it when all the episodes were available and I think it was a good decision, I would have despaired of having to wait every week for a new episode, although I will admit I was a victim of spoilers.

Knowing all that, I think it was quite worth it, and in contrast to other opinions I consider it does deserve the hype. I clarify I'm not saying it was perfect because I agree that several things could have been better executed. However, knowing that I don’t dislike clichés and usually enjoys the usual structure of romance kdramas, this series was quite to my liking. Maybe it's because I have a weakness for these kinds of plots, it already happened to me with Twinkling Watermelon and A Time Called You.

Now, what things didn't I like so much?
Initially I feel it was hard to believe that the adult ImSol was in her teenage body as she was still behaving and making decisions like a teenager would from my perspective and that made me exasperated at times by her actions or attitude. I understand that she thought what she was doing was the best thing to do, but sometimes it was just like "was this necessary?"
Another thing was that the villain somehow ended up being just a flat character and they don't end up explaining in a more reasonable way why he had tangled himself into all their time lines so insistently. Yeah, he was a psychopath or something, but that's just so meh. Still without mentioning a word, he kept getting on my nerves, I just would have wished for a little more of background.
The same thing happens to me with InHyuk and TaeSung, I was delighted every time their characters came out on screen and I would have liked them to be included more, as in the end we are given to understand that specially TaeSung ended up being very relevant.
And about the grandmother, was she some kind of deity?
There were also moments when the transitions between times were so confusing, I didn't know if what I was seeing had happened before or after, then I could understand but I don't understand why it was so confusing.

Something I would have wished, this time very personal, is that when they met again in the final timeline they would have done it like the first time, with the rain and repeating the umbrella scene, it would have added many more points. However, that's not something so relevant lol.

Buuuut, like I said before, there were more things that I really liked so I was purposely ignoring all of the things I said before.
All of the romantic scenes had me giggling and kicking my feet, the chemistry was on point, I should say. The male lead made me smile a lot, he was just too cute, sorry, I’m just too biased by WooSeok, he played that character really well. And speaking about acting, I think everyone did a good job.

I laughed a lot with the funny scenes and I was moved on many occasions, both sad and happy, so I must say that I enjoyed every chapter. Regarding the ost, I declare myself a total fan, the songs are all very good, they accompany the scenes well and I liked the ost so much that I will keep listening to it. “Sudden Shower" is just beautiful.

I liked the ending of the story because I did wish he would get his memory back, it would have hurt me that all those nice moments and the time they spent together went away.

I probably missed things, but the truth is that I would recommend it if you are the type of person who enjoys kdramas and doesn't dislike teen romances and time travel.

I will give it a high score because I certainly enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Lire davantage

Never Have I Ever Imagine A Parasocial Relationship with My Idol

On the contrary by public prediction, I only cried once at the first episode because it reminds me so much about the moment we lost our dearest Jonghyun, RIP, we miss you so much...

But boy do I giggled and slouching down at my seat in the office because I was...FLABBERGASTED? SHOOKED? for the rest of the show? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

You really cannot hate Im Sol (though I feel like she fainted too much and does questionable choices) her selflessness and her natural adorableness will make you fall in love, as quickly as Ryu Sunjae does probably. While Ryu Sunjae is potrayed as a cool and very unbothered king at first, once we figured he is a big fat loser it is hard not wanting to protect him at all cost (yes, he is 6 feet tall, what about it!)

Told about the Idol!Sunjae and Fan!Sol who met after a concert before a tragedy where Sunjae passed away falling down from his apartment. Sol wishes she can protect him from harm before finally traveling in time back to realize that they were both in the same timeline of life as classmates and Sol needs to convince the stranger Sunjae that in his future he has some kind of choices to avoid his death.

NO but when they traveled back in time and turns out to be classmates I was...prolifically GIGGLING, because never have I ever written me as a fan and my idol together in the parallel universe as someone who shares the same timeline with me like THAT! Though the context is very different, to imagine that Sol was very starstrucked to realize that her idol actually only her neighbour next door to see him just as Sunjae, the guy she likes has hit me like a freaking ROCK ON MY TOES. I adore the slow revelations at epilogue how we found out that Sunjae has his own history of feelings towards Sol and the first plot we have is actually not one-sided? At how Sol can possibly has different future because his feelings towards Taesung is also always reciprocated too in each timeline? WHOA, I AM.

What is lacking though is how time-travelling system is exclusive only to Sol that we as an audience is carried at Sol's perpective only and have limited creativity about how we wish or re-write different plot of the scenes. And, what vexed me too is the villain character who wants to harm Sol. It is unknown his motives so it seems really a nuisance to figure out how he still chases Sol and Sunjae through his adulthood too. If we are left with a motives or interlinked with their relationship, it probably makes even more sense that Sol and Sunjae will travel in time to fix that too.

While the story is focusing on how Sol and Sunjae starting different role of relationship in different timeline and roles, my liking to this story is that it also digs the matter of friendship and family. Not that just by time traveling we can see different choices of how they build friendships, it is also shows how Sol wishes to treat her mother and brother results to many kinder outputs and to Sunjae to understand his father a little bit more. The warmth this drama cooks is so comforting. The comedy of the friendships shared between Hyunju and Inhyuk with them is also laugh-worthy.

In my opinion, as a picky romance eater, I take a good small bites of this drama and ended up finishing a jar. It is a drama worth to watch by the end of the day. Without further more looking to analyze the drama though, I can enjoy most of the bits where they only stare at each other while I stare back at the wall in front of me wishing this happened to me instead (no, I don't want the nuisances Sol has ever occurred but...save me..180cm tall man...loser man....down bad for me first encounter man...)

Lire davantage

A romcom that everyone needs to watch!

I just wanna say how much I LOVE this drama!!!

It was the perfect romcom drama to watch if you don’t want heavy plot twist and all that. I honestly watched this with another on going drama (iykyk) but I dropped the other one because I am not liking the direction it was going.

I didn’t have high expectations for this. I just decided to watch this since I was intrigued with the synopsis, being a kpop fan myself. It was a great decision to try it out because I was hooked just from the first episode. (And ofc, I had to mention the ending of 2nd ep!)

It was well written and the production and direction of this drama was sooo good. The comedy parts are really comedy, in addition to the sound effects they added that makes the scenes more funny. 😂

Sunjae (my fav character) is such a green flag. Imagine loving someone for YEARS and being so faithful, even if you are not remembered and known by that someone? (the first timeline). And in all of the timelines, where he’s just down bad no matter what. Now everyone wants their own sunjae 🥹

The OST was such a treat to the ears as well! They chose the songs that would fit the scenes perfectly. At first I thought the songs of the band (eclipse) was recorded by others, but it turned out that it was recorded by the actors themselves! ☺️

The only thing that stops me from giving it a 10 was because it wasn’t totally clear how halmeoni was able to know about the watch and time travel??? Like if she was the reason, how was she able to have such privilege? Other than that, I can just ignore the obsession of the taxi driver because I want to believe that he’s just a psycho.


PS one of my fav scenes is the last scene of sunjae and halmeoni. It was so heartwarming 🥹❤️

Lire davantage

A little stretched but ADORED

Starting of, the casting was perfect. the chemistry and skills of both Wooseok and Hyeyoon was top teir not to mention all the other actors, the production team rly nailed it on the spot. (BTS are adorable 🤭)

Overall I personally adored the storyline, the dive into it was smooth and had my heart running at a million miles for the both leads, but they still as always were able to keep it light and comedical at the same time to keep it from being a total emotional mess. (I did cry a bit still though 🧍‍♀️🙈

Many say that they went back and forth a little too much, But I personally think it's what kept the tension going and had you high on your toes – was quite exciting as you had no clue what to expect 🧐 but I do see how the repetitiveness could bore some people.

The music too.. LOVE LOVE LOVE the osts, really match the vibe, not to mention they just had to turn them on at the most emotional of times 😔💓💓


SO all in all I have no complaints, truly an amazing cast and the execution of all the story and how it flows I think was perfect. It made sense – you get to see amazing and adorable scenes from both the leads and support characters too, which I also think had such incredible chemistry. Truly no misses.

Lire davantage

Made me want Mondays to come fast ❀

The last time I followed an airing kdrama where I’m up-to-date with the weekly releases (never missed and finished everything) was Twenty Five, Twenty One (2022) prior that is The Red Sleeve (2021-2022). After that I delve more into cdramas. Lovely Runner properly brought me back. Every week we get butterflies, fun stuff, and theories! Monday episodes for fluff. Tuesday episodes for angst and effective cliff hanger!

Chemistry and comedic timing are very vital to RomCom leads and fortunately, Hyeyoon and Wooseok have them! The director worked on Flower of Evil which is one of my favorites and another timeslip drama beforehand, and his expertise shows in this work as well. (But I have to mention the recent comments he made left a bad taste in my mouth)

The writer did an excellent job of keeping us on our toes. I was worried it will crash and burn after the strong second episode. I was hopeful but also wary. But she managed to keep it enjoyable until the end.

I also want to commend the details! From pop culture jokes of that time to props and set design, they are on point!

It felt like everyone involved in making this wants to create something real good and it unexpectedly became a hit!

I recommended this to my friends without second thoughts because I know they’ll have a good time. So if that’s what you want, you can hop in the Lovely Runner craze too!

Lire davantage

well done story, could have been better!

Let me preface by saying I did enjoy this. I think the time travel bit was interesting, more than the other one we had earlier this year (forgot the name). But there are many parts I did not understand and don't wish to bother researching.

I think the acting was on-point. All the actors did super good in that department.

What I think could have been better is having the writer not rely on the cliche points that are ever so present in every single kdrama. Those little things that drive me mad. For example, the male lead not waking up the female lead when she is sleeping in the bus because idk why...she getting almost kidnapped as a result (why wouldn't you wake her up or keep a serious eye out for her when you can see it's bloody dark outside and you're both far away from home????), the female lead running bang in the middle of the road while the kidnapper is chasing her. These little things are just plain lazy writing. Doing away with such stupid moments would have elevated my viewing experience.

let's come back to the good parts. And not trying to be contrarian but the writer did a good job overall making the time travel plot interesting. I really liked the little twists in their cute love story. It was enjoyable to see him be so in love with her. It was not so enjoyable to see her torture him (okay, that isn't fair, she wasn't doing that deliberately). I loved the 10CM Spring Snow!! The best part of this drama was the little moments of cute romance between the leads and this OST really worked in their favour and made it so much better.

All in all, it's the best tropey-over-the-top-cliche Korean drama I've watched in a minute.

While you are here, I'd urge you to watch The Atypical Family on Netflix. If you want something different, not so cliche, this one's for you!!

Lire davantage

that chemistry...

Sometimes it happens to find a gem: this show is one. Just finished after a 20hours marathon to watch it in one shot, because after the first episode I just could not stop watching it. Literally. I waited for the last episode to be published on May 28 and I made a good choice. I was fully involved, and felt a lot of emotions, from amusement to sadness, from laughs to sobs. Great story. Great cast. Nice plot. Nice direction.
The two leads were simply adorable. I didn't know a lot Kim Hye Yoon. And she was a nice surprise to me: charismatic, talented, expressive, fascinating and what's about her stunning smile? While I had already chances to appreciate Ryu Seon Jae, who's not just a tall giant, but he's able to show charisma and scenic presence, from the comic till the dramatic scenes. But what I liked a lot was the chemistry between them: simply unbelievable, intense, moving, sparkling. Time has passed since the last time I found something similar. And I can even say when: watching Crash Landing on You and those Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin (who were also mentioned at a certain point). I guess that who wrote that there is not chemistry, well: he/she apparently watched something else.
I liked the plot and how the stories were presented, the personalities of each character, and also the way the other lead and support roles were developed, which often are overlooked. And among them I appreciated a lot the figure of Kim Tae Sung and the loyal relationship he shares with the leads.
Actually the structure of the story do not bring anything very new: this is not the first show seeing the leads wrappend around a story, which happens along an extended timeframe and enriched by fantasy elements. But who developed the plot did a very nice work in making it so intense keeping the spectator literally glued to the screen.
Well done!!

Lire davantage

An addictive, super-romantic drama with a superb OTP

There is a lot of hype for this show. As a romantic comedy/drama this show hits out of the park and deserves that hype. It's addicting, fun, hilarious, melodramatic, romantic, and has writing that if inconsistent still attempts to be somewhat thought-provoking and character-driven. And the main pairing is one for drama history.

If you're expecting anything other than that, this will fall very flat for you.

Watch this immediately if you are looking for:
- Painfully dreamy ML
- Heart-fluttering romance, high chemistry, sweet and touching love story
- Humor, fun, something to binge/be addicted to

Skip this or save it for a slump if prefer stories that have:
- Plots that are super coherent/tight
- Engrossing/realistic character arcs
- Though-provoking explorations of ideas/ themes

Here are the elements broken down:

SUPERB----

MALE LEAD: The absolute highlight of this show. Sun Jae is the ultimate "lovable loser." On the outside he pretends to be cool, logical, and independent, but on the inside he is a clingy, cringy, dork. He will steal your entire heart. Played pitch perfectly by Byeon Woo Seok.

SECOND MALE LEAD: Tae Sung re-invents the definition of second male lead syndrome. In any other drama I would have been rooting for him over the ML. I expect to see Song Geon-lee leading a drama soon, he stood out in every single scene he was in.

ROMANCE/CHEMISTRY: The main couple oozed chemistry out of every pore. The longing looks, the cute interactions, the sexual tension. Your heart will flutter, then it will break. you'll scream, you'll cry, you'll jump for joy and throw things at the screen for them.

BROMANCE: The ML with is various homies (including Tae Sung) had such natural, fun chemistry. Just as engaging as the main couple romance. I loved every scene he had with his bros.

HUMOR: 10/10: I laughed out loud more times than I can count. The writer put them all in such ridiculous situations, played by a cast of actors who all had fantastic comedic timing. So many memorably funny moments.

MUSIC: The sountrack is top notch, including the songs sung from the band in the show.

GOOD---

FEMALE LEAD: For most of the drama she is funny, quirky, cute, fiesty and compassionate. But there are a few eps where she is so frustratingly stubborn and clueless in service of a poorly executed plotline that I came to dislike her for a while. I adore the actress on the whole and think she captures the soul of Im Sol well, she has to cry almost every episodes and cries so convincingly and with such heart. But there were times when she pulled the same facial expression over and over (she had a very overused wide-eyed look of clueless surprise quite often, for example).

MEH---

SIDE CHARACTERS/PLOTS: There were some funny moments involving the MCs families, but for the most part they had nothing to do with the main plot and seemed like filler, I had no real connection to any of the family. I started fast-forwarding through most of them by the end. The acting was serviceable but none of them stood out especially.

CHARACTER ARCS: While they went through a lot, I didn't see that the characters actually grew or changed much in any particular way. 2ML had a small arc, but it was glossed over and he was not used as much as he could have been. The characters have the same exact personalities and tendencies in the beginning as in the end, although there were many touching moments of realization and character moments throughout. Just no strong overall arcs.

MIXED---

PLOT
- EPS 1-8 (9/10) - The first 8 eps are full of intriguing twists and turns and raise a host of questions about the meaning of memory and fate.
- EPS 9-13 (5/10) - The middle episodes are dominated by an unnecessary and repetitive almost wholly unrelated crime storyline that drags and makes the characters act in uncharacteristic and frustrating ways. There are some cute and funny moments, but the romantic plotline became fluffy filler and the story completely loses its thematic center and meanders sloppily along.
- EPS 14-16 (7/10) - The story finds its footing again towards the end, but never really pays off the questions or ideas raised in the theme at the beginning of the show, even if it does somewhat try and close that loop. The romance tension fires back up at this point as well, and the ending is satisfying if nothing spectacular.

100% worth a watch if romantic comedies are your jam.

Lire davantage

Muito potencial, pouco desenvolvimento

Lovely Runner considerado por muitos o melhor de 2024, promete muito com um enredo interessante e entrega um desenvolvimento muito ruim. Minha nota é alta, considerando todos os furos de roteiro e coisas sem sentido nesse drama. Devo começar dizendo que os primeiros 6 episódios são muito interessantes e muito divertidos, de modo que te prenda no drama muito rápido e fique ansioso para saber o que vai acontecer, toda a vibe fofa, engraçada e nostálgica do drama te conquista logo de cara. A fotografia é muita bonita, e as osts também são fofas. Mas a partir do episódio 7, a história começa a ter alguns pontos desnecessários que se estendem até o final do drama.
Primeiro, não deveria ter 16 episódios, ao decorrer da história vemos claramente que os acontecimentos (como a volta no tempo e as fugas do serial killer) passam a se repetir várias e várias vezes, apenas para ter mais episódios.
O plot do serial killer obcecado pela protagonista é tão mal feito, tão mal desenvolvido, tão desnecessário que você acaba se estressando. Não combina nenhum pouco com a vibe do drama, e fica totalmente perdido e ilógico em meio a um drama que se baseia em piadas o tempo todo. Não tem uma cena séria aqui, eles sempre metem uma piada em tudo, até em momentos que deveriam ser sérios.
A protagonista de 34 anos é tão imatura que irrita. A maioria dos problemas se estendem porque ela e o Sun Jae não conversam, uma enrolação nesse romance, eles tem pouquíssimo tempo de tela em que realmente estão juntos, porque o drama todo é eles escondendo que gostam um do outro e fugindo, e consequentemente sofrendo por causa disso.
Eu termino dizendo que é um realmente um bom drama, divertido, fofo, mas que poderia ter sido tão melhor, um roteiro com muito potencial que não soube ser desenvolvido. Ás vezes um drama pode ser só fofo e divertido, não precisa de plots desnecessários como um serial killer, é isso que eu digo. Esse é outro drama que eu dei uma nota alta e não sei se ela é realmente condizente, mas acho que é uma boa nota.
É um bom drama? Sim, tem um bom final também, porém não sustenta todas as expectativas criadas pela nota muito alta aqui no MDL e pelas várias pessoas que consideram esse um drama favorito ou o melhor de 2024.

Lire davantage