Korean drama Lovely Runner starring Kim Hye Yoon and Byun Woo Seok has just aired its last episode on May 28, 2024. However, Lovely Runner has been praised by Time Magazine as the best Korean drama of the year.
Time Magazine’s official website released an article discussing Lovely Runner’s final episode on May 30, 2024. In the article, it is mentioned that Lovely Runner managed to maintain its position as the best drama of the year by prioritizing the heart rather than the story plot mechanism.
Actually, what makes Lovely Runner so special that it is praised as the best drama of the year? Check out the discussion below!
Warning, this article contains spoilers!
Lovely Runner Synopsis
Lovely Runner tells the story of a popular star named Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok) who seems perfect but is actually tired of the entertainment industry. One day, Sun Jae is rumored to have ended his own life.
The tragic news left Sun Jae’s biggest fan Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) devastated. Miraculously, Sol actually traveled back in time to 15 years ago when Sun Jae was 19 years old. Sol is then determined to protect and save his idol’s life.
Unique Themes in a Romantic Drama
Time Magazine highlighted the blend of nostalgia, romance, murder sub-plots, and time travel in Lovely Runner. The merging of the various genres is considered to create a very unexpected and moving story.
In the story, Sol falls into the river while wearing Sun Jae’s old watch. Sol previously bought the watch from a fan auction. Unexpectedly, this event sent Sol to 15 years ago.
Interestingly, Sol was apparently neighbors with Sun Jae when they were teenagers. At the end of episode 2, it was revealed that teenage Sol never noticed teenage Sun Jae.
But teenage Sun Jae had a crush on Sol from first sight. With that, it is clear that Sol and Sun Jae are not just fans and idols, but two people bound by fate.
But Im Sol and Sun Jae’s love destiny also experienced trials due to the presence of Kim Young Soo (Heo Hyung Kyu), a taxi driver who turned out to be a serial killer. This villain figure always chases Sol and Sun Jae in every timeline.
A Satisfying Happy Ending
After suffering tragic fates in a number of timelines, Sol and Sun Jae finally get a happy ending thanks to the power of their love. Sun Jae proposed to Sol under a blooming cherry blossom tree. Viewers also got a sneak peek of Sol and Sun Jae’s wedding scene in the future.
In addition, Sol not only managed to get a happy ending with Sun Jae, she also had the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a movie director. With Sun Jae’s support, Sol wrote and directed her first short film.
With this happy ending, Lovely Runner is considered to be able to provide a very satisfying love story that not only transcends time, but also fate. Therefore, Time Magazine did not hesitate to praise Lovely Runner as the best drama that has been released this year.
“We’ve only entered the middle of 2024, but other upcoming Korean dramas will have to try their hardest if they want to steal the title of best drama of the year from Lovely Runner,” quoted the Time Magazine article.
