Lovely Runner- Episodes 11-12

The Pursuit of Our Feelings

Episode 11 of Lovely Runner serves us a delicious mix of romance, comedy, and suspense, keeping the momentum high as the stakes climb higher than ever. With confessions, misunderstandings, and a heart-stopping final twist, this episode has it all.

We pick up right where we left off, with Sun-jae and Im Sol sharing a tender kiss outside their house. Bok-soon spots Sun-jae but doesn’t realize he’s kissing Im Sol. The new couple decides to celebrate their newfound relationship with a meal at a restaurant. While Im Sol worries about Sun-jae’s potential death in 2023, he’s more concerned about Bok-soon’s judgment, proving once again that he’s both adorable and clueless.

After their dinner, Im Sol secretly calls the detectives and asks them to investigate a suspicious lorry near her house, fearing it might be connected to Young-soo. Meanwhile, Sun-jae, now the happiest he’s ever been, smiles ear to ear as he saves Im Sol’s number in his phone—with love hearts, of course.

The next morning, Bok-soon tells Grandma and Im Sol about spotting Sun-jae kissing a girl on the street. Im Sol feigns ignorance while scrambling to defend Sun-jae. Bok-soon later spills the tea to Sun-jae’s dad, Gyeon-deok, who denies his son is dating anyone. Gyeon-deok confronts Sun-jae, who insists he didn’t quit swimming for a girl—before rushing off to pick up Im Sol.

The couple arrives at school hand-in-hand, grinning like love-struck fools. Hyun-joo is initially upset about their secret relationship but calms down when Sun-jae promises to set her up with his friend Cho-rong. The blind date goes well, but Im Geum, ever the jealous sibling, spots Hyun-joo with Cho-rong and isn’t thrilled.

Sun-jae and Im Sol’s relationship blossoms, filled with heartwarming dates, sweet promises, and moments of genuine connection. Sun-jae cuts ties with the girl who was hitting on him, making it clear that Im Sol is his priority. Despite Im Sol’s worries about altering Sun-jae’s future, he assures her that being with her makes him happy, regardless of the path he takes.

Things take a comical turn when Cho-rong accidentally leaves a bag of condoms at Sun-jae’s place. Later, Im Sol and Sun-jae fall asleep watching a movie. The next morning, Im Sol’s attempts to clean her drool from Sun-jae’s shirt lead to a misunderstanding with Im Geum, who assumes the worst.

The chaos escalates as Bok-soon, Gyeon-deok, and Grandma join the commotion. When Gyeon-deok grabs Sun-jae’s bag, the condoms spill everywhere, leaving everyone—including Sun-jae and Im Sol—stunned. A hilarious scene follows, with Sun-jae later calling a “family meeting” to clear the air, even bringing in Cho-rong to explain the condom mix-up.

The detectives investigating the lorry confirm it’s connected to Young-soo, sparking a new lead in the case. Meanwhile, Tae-sung learns about Young-soo’s whereabouts and warns Im Sol, urging her to run. Im Sol refuses, determined to face the danger head-on. She asks Tae-sung to keep the secret from Sun-jae, but Sun-jae overhears part of their conversation.

Jealous, Sun-jae invites Tae-sung to dinner to assert his position as Im Sol’s boyfriend. What starts as a competitive meal ends with the two drunk and venting about their shared love for Im Sol. Poor In-hyuk is left to manage the chaos as the two men bond reluctantly.

The next morning, Tae-sung offers to help In-hyuk and the band make their final performance memorable after they’re dropped from their club. Meanwhile, Hyun-joo and Im Geum share a heartfelt moment as she tries to cheer him up after a rough day.

Im Sol receives a call from Tae-sung’s dad, who informs her that Young-soo has been caught. Overjoyed, she finally feels at ease and heads to In-hyuk’s performance, where she sees Sun-jae singing his song. Overcome with emotion, she cries tears of happiness, believing the danger has passed. CEO Kim Seok-hyun is spotted in the audience, hinting that Sun-jae’s music career may not be over after all.

Just as the night seems perfect, the episode delivers a shocking blow. On their way back to the station, the detectives transporting Young-soo are involved in a car accident, allowing him to escape. The final scene shows him lurking in the shadows, ready to strike again.

In the epilogue, Im Sol and Sun-jae share a tender moment catching cherry blossom leaves, each wishing for the other’s happiness. It’s a poignant reminder of their love amidst the storm brewing around them.

I Will Be My Hero!

Episode 12 of Lovely Runner is a whirlwind of emotions, blending romance, comedy, and suspense into a story that keeps us on the edge of our seats. Sun-jae and Im Sol’s relationship reaches new heights, but the shadow of danger looms larger than ever, threatening to shatter their hard-won happiness.

The episode begins with Sun-jae and Im Sol glowing after the concert. With Young-soo seemingly behind bars and Sun-jae’s audition in front of CEO Kim Seok-hyun a success, the couple finally feels hopeful. But their bliss is short-lived—news of Young-soo’s escape shatters their peace. Sun-jae becomes increasingly anxious about Im Sol’s safety, vowing to protect her at any cost.

Im Sol meets with Tae-sung’s dad at the location where Young-soo was last seen. The detective suggests witness protection, but Im Sol hesitates, eager to resolve the situation quickly. Unbeknownst to her, Sun-jae overhears their conversation. Fueled by determination, he insists on fortifying her home and ensures she keeps her self-defense tools close.

Meanwhile, Hyun-joo and Im Geum can no longer hide their budding romance, leading to a hilariously unexpected revelation for Im Sol and Sun-jae. Im Sol is both annoyed and amused, confessing that the two always end up together in every timeline. Sun-jae suggests that perhaps their love is fate, urging Im Sol to support them.

Sun-jae grows concerned about his missing friend, In-hyuk, so he and Im Sol visit his house, where they find Tae-sung. The trio learns that In-hyuk has retreated to his village, embarrassed by his voice cracking during a televised performance. Determined to bring him back, the group embarks on a road trip in Tae-sung’s prized car.

While Sun-jae is away, Gyeon-deok accidentally locks himself in the bathroom and breaks his arm trying to escape. Bok-soon comes to his rescue in a humorous moment that perfectly balances the tension.

The trio arrives in In-hyuk’s village just in time to see him walking into the sea. Fearing the worst, they rush to save him—only to learn he’s not suicidal, just lost in thought. However, in the chaos, Tae-sung forgets to secure his car, and it’s swept away by the waves. RIP, Tae-sung’s beloved vehicle.

In-hyuk takes his friends to his family’s home, where they are warmly welcomed. The group spends the day chasing mischievous lambs, playing in the ocean, and bonding over their shared fears and dreams. Sun-jae reassures In-hyuk of his commitment to help rebuild the band, and Tae-sung offers his heartfelt blessing to Sun-jae and Im Sol, confessing his feelings for her before bowing out gracefully.

While at the beach, Im Sol realizes her phone is missing. Sun-jae accompanies her to find it, and as they retrace their steps, Im Sol begins recalling strange, altered memories. They recover her phone in the forest, but Im Sol trips and has a sudden realization: her future is changing. This discovery terrifies her, but Sun-jae encourages her to confide in him, promising to shoulder her fears together.

Back at the house, Sun-jae refuses to sleep alone, hilariously pretending to be scared of ghosts to join Im Sol in her room. After drawing a pillow barrier, the two share a heartfelt conversation. Im Sol asks Sun-jae not to cry when she leaves, but as they confess their love for each other, the barriers fall—literally—and they share a passionate night.

The next morning, the group says farewell to In-hyuk’s family, with Tae-sung mourning his waterlogged car. As the friends part ways, Im Sol and Sun-jae’s playful banter takes a heartbreaking turn. On the train, Im Sol feigns confusion about why she’s with Sun-jae, then abruptly gets off, leaving him behind. Tears streaming down her face, she believes this is the only way to save them both.

Sun-jae, crushed by her departure, breaks his promise not to cry. Through a flashback, we learn that Im Sol’s memories changed because her actions have altered the future. In her revised timeline, Sun-jae still risks his life to save her, but the danger remains.

The episode ends on a chilling note as Young-soo arrives in the village, tracking Im Sol’s every move. The once hopeful promise of safety is shattered as danger closes in.

DramaZen's Opinion

Okay, let’s talk about these latest episodes because I’m feeling everything right now. First off, I’m a little worried about Im Sol’s growth—or the lack thereof. We still have four episodes left, so maybe I’m overthinking, but I can see this story teetering on the edge of two possible paths: absolute K-drama classic or melodramatic mess. Let me explain.

Sun-jae, the Emotional Core

Sun-jae continues to be an incredibly authentic character. His emotions feel real, his growth has been steady, and his vulnerabilities keep tugging at my heartstrings. But Sol? She’s starting to feel a little too scripted, like her every move is designed to ramp up the melodrama. My favorite part of their story has always been their very human miscommunications—their flaws, their imperfections, their struggles. But now Sol is showing signs of falling into the stereotypical “savior” trope: too perfect in her intentions and seemingly detached from her own humanity. Are we supposed to root for her to save the day on her own? Or should we root for her actual character growth, which would mean following Sun-jae’s plea: stop running away.

Thematic Perfection

What’s keeping me hopeful is how well Lovely Runner explores its deeper themes. These episodes were all about endings. About cherishing the limited time you have with someone and making the most of it, knowing it might be your last chance. It’s a bittersweet reminder for all of us to live in the moment, especially since we don’t have the luxury of time travel to fix our mistakes.

But can we talk about how much pain Im Sol is putting Sun-jae through? I get her motives, I really do, but how many times can our sweet boy endure the heartbreak of separation? This man has blossomed in ways that make my heart ache with pride, and watching him get crushed again is too much. Sol, I love you, but please—get it together! Facing a serial killer on your own is a terrible idea.

On a lighter note, I loved seeing Tae-sung finally get closure on his feelings for Sol. He deserves happiness, and honestly? We volunteer as tributes since Sol is officially spoken for! Meanwhile, Im Geum and Hyun-joo continue to bring the comedy gold. They’re so adorable together, and Hyun-joo’s effortless humor and loyalty to her man had me crying with laughter. Did you see her defending him against Sol? Chef’s kiss.

With only four episodes left, I’m desperate for the Young-soo storyline to wrap up soon. It’s giving me anxiety, and honestly? I need the rom-com vibes back stat! I want more heart-fluttering moments and swoon-worthy Sun-jae smiles.

That said, I trust this drama to deliver. The themes, the acting, the relationships—it’s all too good to let us down. Here’s hoping Sol steps up and grows into the heroine we know she can be. Because this story deserves a sendoff as beautiful and heartfelt as the journey has been.