Lovely Runner- Episodes 13-14

In Another Life 

Lovely Runner delivers yet another emotionally charged episode in its 13th chapter, pushing our beloved characters to the brink of heartbreak—and pulling them back just in time for a twist that left us screaming, “HOW is he alive?!”

The episode begins with a flashback to the devastating moment Im Sol saw Sun-jae dying again while trying to save her. Determined to break the endless cycle of his self-sacrifice, she pretends to return to the future but secretly stays behind to rewrite their fate. How many times must Sun-jae die in this show before we get some peace?!

We’re treated to a bittersweet celebration of Im Sol’s birthday in the days leading up to her decision. It’s a joyful affair with arcade games, playful banter, and Sun-jae gifting her a necklace alongside a cake. But beneath the laughter, Im Sol’s fear lingers—she’s already planning how to defy fate, starting by revealing lottery numbers to her brother.

Back in the present, Im Sol pieces together the clues from her memories and predicts Young-soo will strike on May 6th at 5 a.m. While she and the detectives set their trap, Sun-jae learns she never actually returned to the future. Fueled by worry, he rushes to her, unknowingly complicating their plans. Young-soo, spotting the police, tries to retreat but crosses paths with Sun-jae.

In classic Sun-jae fashion, he pursues the dangerous criminal alone—because why wouldn’t he? This leads to a confrontation at a cliff where Young-soo stabs Sun-jae. Im Sol arrives just in time to witness the police apprehend Young-soo, but not before Sun-jae, gravely wounded, tumbles into the ocean.

As he falls, Sun-jae flashes that devastatingly sweet smile, whispering that he has no regrets about dying for Im Sol. His final act of love shatters her—and us—into pieces. Seriously, we need tissues by the box at this point.

In the aftermath of Sun-jae’s death, Im Sol returns to the future and throws herself into work, trying to bury her pain. Her new life involves babysitting high-maintenance celebrities, including Do-hyun, an actor who refuses to shoot kissing scenes but somehow expects to star in a romantic film. After an altercation that lands her in hot water with her boss, Im Sol is forced to write an apology letter.

At the police station, she runs into none other than Tae-sung, who is now a police officer. Our second lead turned out so well! He takes her out for drinks, and while she swears she won’t get drunk, she inevitably does. As it begins to snow, she breaks down in tears, confessing how much she misses Sun-jae. Her raw emotion is a gut punch, reminding us of how deeply their love transcends time.

The next day, Im Sol’s boss surprisingly fires Do-hyun and offers Im Sol the opportunity to present her passion project. Overwhelmed with joy, Im Sol celebrates with Hyun-joo—only to remember that the "red envelope" she handed her boss during the drunken apology incident was filled with scathing criticism and a resignation. Whoops.

Im Sol hilariously scrambles to retrieve the letter at an awards show. In her frantic escape, she collides with a man on the stairs, who saves her from falling. And who is it but Sun-jae, looking impossibly dashing in a tuxedo. Time freezes (figuratively for us, and literally in the narrative) as the shock of his return hits like a tidal wave.

Through a flashback, we learn the heartbreaking truth. After Sun-jae’s tragic fall, Im Sol noticed his time-traveling watch had stopped. Desperate to save him, she pressed it and rewrote their timeline—this time ensuring they never met. She quietly watched Sun-jae live a safe, ordinary life from afar, sacrificing her happiness to keep him alive.

But fate (and Lovely Runner’s writers) had other plans. Sun-jae stands before her now, alive and well, and we’re left breathless at what this could mean for their love story.

Protection Is Love

Lovely Runner delivers another heart-tugging episode as fate keeps pulling Sun-jae and Im Sol back together, despite her desperate attempts to stay apart. Episode 14 brings equal parts comedy, heartache, and intrigue as the pair’s intertwined destinies come into sharper focus.

The episode opens with a flashback to 2009, where Im Sol’s sacrifice ensured she and Sun-jae never met again. But as we’ve learned, fate doesn’t take kindly to interference. Fast forward to 2023, and a series of hilarious mishaps bring them face-to-face once more. This time, Sun-jae hilariously mistakes Im Sol for a petty thief after seeing her “steal” her boss’s clutch bag. Their escalating argument results in a mix-up of red envelopes, leading to Sun-jae accidentally presenting Im Sol’s scathing resignation letter at an award show. The resulting public embarrassment sets him on a mission to make her pay.

At work, Im Sol’s team decides to approach Sun-jae for the lead role in their upcoming movie. Im Sol is flustered and tries to dissuade her boss, but the decision is made. When Sun-jae receives the script, a mix-up sends him Im Sol’s project about a time-traveling woman trying to save the man she loves. The story moves him to tears—only for his manager to later deliver the “correct” project proposal. Sun-jae, captivated by Im Sol’s script, insists on taking the role, but Im Sol rejects him outright, leaving him more determined than ever to uncover why she’s so intent on avoiding him.

While Sun-jae wrestles with his rejection, his father Gyeon-deok has an unexpected run-in with Im Sol’s grandma, who sneaks off to his restaurant. Grandma, mistaking Sun-jae for her late husband, hilariously scolds him while revealing a photo of Im Sol. Realizing the connection, Sun-jae offers to take her home, leading to an awkward but touching reunion at Im Sol’s house. Despite her initial suspicion, Im Sol ends up on an impromptu coffee date with Sun-jae, during which he insists on his suitability for the movie role. While Im Sol remains adamant about her decision, their undeniable chemistry leaves Sun-jae feeling both puzzled and captivated.

Later, we learn that Grandma orchestrated the encounter on purpose, cheekily asking Im Sol if she “did well.” Grandma is officially the MVP of this episode, securing her spot as the ultimate wingman.

Unable to escape her feelings, Im Sol quits her job to avoid working with Sun-jae. Distraught, she heads to the arcade where they celebrated her birthday in the past. Coincidentally, Sun-jae is also there for a commercial shoot, and a chance meeting on the Ferris Wheel brings them together once again.

Trapped in the enclosed space, Sun-jae confronts Im Sol about her avoidance, questioning why she quit and why her story ends so tragically. His insight strikes a chord, as he points out the sadness of love lost and memories erased. Im Sol tries to hold back tears as Sun-jae admits that her story has triggered strange dreams and visions, making him feel like they’ve met before.

The Ferris Wheel suddenly jolts to a stop, throwing them together. As Sun-jae shields her from harm, Im Sol looks up at him with tearful eyes, silently asking why fate insists on repeating the same painful cycle.

DramaZen's Opinion

An Epic Love Story That Defies Time

Lovely Runner continues to be an emotional masterpiece, delivering episodes that are equal parts heartbreaking and breathtaking. The romance, the stakes, the themes—everything about this show feels beautifully crafted. While the time travel mechanics leave some threads untied, and the killer’s motives remain murky, none of that diminishes the grandeur of the love story at its heart. From the start, Lovely Runner promised an epic romance, and it has exceeded every expectation.

Timing Is Everything

This drama’s ability to transition seamlessly between sweet and sorrowful moments is a testament to its brilliant storytelling. It asks heavy, universal questions about love, sacrifice, and fate, weaving them into a narrative that tugs at every heartstring. For a show about time, its timing is impeccable.

One of the standout elements in these episodes is the exploration of what truly defines a sad ending. Im Sol’s dilemma feels raw and painfully real. Her love for Sun-jae is undeniable, but so is her fear of losing him. She’s faced with an impossible choice:

• Option A: They live out their love, knowing Sun-jae will die, leaving her heartbroken and alone.
• Option B: They stay apart, ensuring his safety but leaving her heartbroken and alone anyway.

Which is the greater tragedy?

Im Sol’s logic makes sense on paper, and you can’t help but feel for her as she chooses what she believes to be the lesser pain. But then there’s Sun-jae. His perspective challenges us to think differently: even if their love story ends in heartbreak, is it not better to have loved deeply and lived fully than to suffer endlessly apart?

This is what makes Lovely Runner such a compelling watch. It doesn’t shy away from the hard questions, and it doesn’t hand us easy answers. Instead, it offers us a window into two perspectives, both valid and equally gut-wrenching. Sun-jae’s unwavering desire to share whatever time they have together is as inspiring as it is heart-wrenching. And honestly? I’m on his side. If heartbreak is inevitable, why not fill the time before with as much love and happiness as possible?

There’s no denying that Lovely Runner is setting us up for an unforgettable finale. The romance is so grand, so beautifully written, that it feels almost too perfect to end in tragedy. So while I fully understand the depth of Im Sol’s sacrifice, I’ll continue rooting for the classic happy ending—against all odds.

But even if we don’t get it, I’ll still celebrate the journey these two have taken. The love, the laughter, the tears—it’s been an unforgettable ride. With just a few episodes left, I’m bracing myself for whatever heartbreak, joy, or bittersweet resolution Lovely Runner has in store. Whatever happens, it’s a drama that will stay with me forever.