Lovely Runner- Episodes 1-2
The Fan and The Idol Who Saved Her Life
The journey begins on July 22, 2009, under the shadow of a much-anticipated eclipse. But while the world gazes skyward, Im Sol lies in a hospital bed, lost in her own dark thoughts. Her mother, Park Bok-soon, tries to lift her spirits, cutting her nails as the radio hums in the background. Yet, a slip of the clippers leads to a quiet, unsettling moment: Im Sol clutching a shard of broken glass, her despair veiled in silence.
Elsewhere, the up-and-coming boy band Eclipse is on its way to a radio appearance. The members are buzzing with youthful energy, especially Sun-jae, who dreams of connecting with fans. That connection comes in an unexpected form when his call reaches none other than Im Sol. The interaction starts rocky—her indifference palpable—but Sun-jae’s heartfelt words touch her deeply, planting a seed of hope in her otherwise bleak world.
Fast forward to December 2022, and Im Sol is transformed—a vibrant fan of Eclipse, with Ryu Sun-jae as her ultimate bias. Her room is a shrine to the band, her excitement for their first concert in five years bubbling over. But things aren’t perfect: the band is fractured, with Sun-jae privately battling exhaustion and a desire to retire.
Despite obstacles—a last-minute client request, an inaccessible job interview, and a lost concert ticket—Im Sol finds joy outside the concert venue, relishing the music that once saved her. As Sun-jae performs their debut song, the moment feels serendipitous—a fleeting intersection of their lives. But the night takes a grim turn when news breaks of Sun-jae’s apparent suicide. Im Sol, heartbroken, rushes to the river, clutching a fan watch tied to her memories of him.
And then—the impossible happens.
Time rewinds to 2008, and Im Sol awakens in her teenage body. Shocked yet determined, she sets out to change Sun-jae’s fate. She finds him training as a swimmer, hiding a painful injury, and boldly declares her love. Confused and wary, Sun-jae brushes her off, but their fates are already entwining.
As Im Sol adjusts to her second chance at life, she resolves to rewrite the future. But will she be able to save Sun-jae from his destined heartbreak? Or will she discover that some fates are unchangeable?
The episode ends with a tender, rain-soaked encounter: Sun-jae offering Im Sol his umbrella, their gazes locked in a moment heavy with unspoken questions. The stage is set for an emotional journey through time, love, and redemption.
Sun-jae’s Secret Teen Crush
Episode 2 of Lovely Runner picks up right where the emotional whirlwind left us: Im Sol crying in the rain. Sun-jae, ever the gentleman, offers her his umbrella, a gesture that triggers a cascade of memories for Im Sol. His question—"Why are you crying?"—mirrors the first words he spoke to her in the future, deepening her grief. As onlookers speculate about a love quarrel, Sun-jae moves them to a quieter spot, where the awkwardness intensifies.
Im Sol, grasping for excuses, compares him to her old dog, Otter, famed for its swimming prowess. Predictably, Sun-jae doesn’t buy it. Flustered, she grabs his umbrella and bolts, leaving Sun-jae baffled.
At school, Im Sol’s nostalgia bubbles over as she enthusiastically greets her classmates, raising eyebrows with her odd behavior. Meanwhile, her mother, Bok-soon, deals with a nosy neighbor and a dispute over a missing movie rental, unaware of her daughter’s time-traveling turmoil. Im Sol, unable to focus in class, decides to skip to investigate the watch’s powers—only to wind up back at Sun-jae’s school.
This detour leads her to Tae-sung, the resident bad boy with irresistible charm and a penchant for trouble. After a tense encounter with bullies, Im Sol gets dragged into Tae-sung’s chaotic orbit, landing herself in hot water with a teacher. Sun-jae sees her kneeling in punishment, mistakenly believing she’s a smoker. He advises her to quit the habit (and flee—the CCTV isn’t real). Their playful banter takes a sharp turn when Sun-jae mentions rejecting her friend request because of her “smoking.” Im Sol, undeterred, challenges him to sniff her fingers, leading to an accidental nose-poke that leaves both blushing.
As the episode unfolds, Im Sol discovers a banner for a swimming competition—the pivotal event that ended Sun-jae’s athletic career in her timeline. Determined to stop him, she adopts a hilariously over-the-top disguise as a shaman to deliver a dire warning about a “virgin water ghost.” Sun-jae, reluctantly amused, promises to avoid water (but not without skepticism). Despite her efforts, Sun-jae’s stubbornness persists, and his recovery from surgery remains precarious.
Meanwhile, Tae-sung’s rebellious streak lands him in yet another fight, straining his rocky relationship with his father, a no-nonsense lieutenant. Tae-sung’s careless antics and Sun-jae’s intense focus create a sharp contrast, but Im Sol’s connections to both boys weave the story’s threads tighter.
The climax builds as Im Sol’s relentless pursuit of Sun-jae to protect him backfires spectacularly. While trying to intercept a teammate’s prank, she ends up in Sun-jae’s locker room, only to be caught hiding among the towel racks. Mistaking her intentions, Sun-jae grows increasingly frustrated with her cryptic warnings, which freeze time whenever she mentions the future. His anger boils over, leaving Im Sol crushed but resolute.
Fate takes a dramatic turn in the episode’s final moments. As Sun-jae reflects on her strange behavior, a call alerts him to potential danger at school. Simultaneously, Im Sol’s evening stroll nearly ends in tragedy when she freezes in fear in the middle of the road. Just as a car speeds toward her, Sun-jae appears, pulling her to safety in a breathtaking, heart-stopping rescue. She faints in his arms, the weight of their shared history—past, present, and future—hanging in the air.
The epilogue delivers a bittersweet revelation: Sun-jae had always harbored a quiet crush on Im Sol, long before she confessed her love. A snapshot from their teenage years, treasured in his hotel room, hints at a connection deeper than either of them fully realizes. As the scene cuts back to the present, we’re left wondering: Can Im Sol rewrite the tragic fate that binds them? Or will their past—and future—remain heartbreakingly inevitable?
The emotional highs, comedic lows, and tantalizing mysteries keep us hooked, eagerly awaiting what’s next in this gripping tale of love, second chances, and destiny.
DramaZen's Opinion
Lovely Runner – A Heartfelt Rollercoaster That Has Us Hooked
Let me just lay it all out—I am completely, utterly, and irrevocably in love with Lovely Runner! This drama checks every box: the leads are adorable, their chemistry is electric, and they play off each other so perfectly it feels like magic. The story is intricate and beautifully woven, seamlessly balancing heartwarming moments with gut-punching twists. And can we talk about those rain scenes? Swoon. They’re heart-melting, cinematic gold. I need more, and I need it now.
Initially, I thought this drama was just going to be a fluffy ride, giving us fangirls a way to live vicariously through Im Sol while she navigates her dream of meeting someone like Byun Woo-seok’s Sun-jae. But boy, was I wrong! This show digs deeper, effortlessly flipping from lighthearted fangirling to weighty, emotional moments that tug at all the heartstrings. One minute you’re laughing, and the next you’re tearing up. It’s masterful storytelling, plain and simple.
The cast? Phenomenal. Kim Hye-yoon is Im Sol—her performance makes the character’s journey feel real and raw. Byun Woo-seok’s portrayal of Sun-jae is equally stellar; he captures both the charm of an idol and the complexity of a man burdened by his struggles. Together, they’re carrying the show, and we’re all better for it.
And let’s not forget the supporting cast! The ever-reliable Kim Won-hae as Sun-jae’s dad brings warmth and authenticity to his scenes. There’s an old saying that a show is only as good as its supporting cast, and Lovely Runner proves this to be true.
Now, let’s talk about that twist. The reveal that Sun-jae has always had feelings for Im Sol? Chef’s kiss. The fact that he saved her from her accident adds so much depth to their story—it changes everything. He knew who she was during that unforgettable post-concert moment, yet he kept his distance after becoming an idol. Why? Could it be fear of ruining his career, or maybe insecurity about her feelings for him? And how would his fans react if they knew? This show doesn’t shy away from addressing the complexities of para-social relationships between idols and their fans, which adds an intriguing layer of realism to the drama.
The mystery surrounding Sun-jae’s relationship with Im Sol keeps us theorizing and craving more. Was it fear, love, or circumstances that kept them apart? Whatever the answer, I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds. Lovely Runner has us in its grip, and we’re more than happy to stay along for the ride. Keep the surprises coming!
