Lovely Runner- Episodes 3-4
Timing
Episode 3 of Lovely Runner dives right back into the stormy chaos where we left off—Sun-jae and Im Sol stranded in the rain. They eventually find a dry spot to talk, where Sun-jae opens up, apologizing for his earlier misunderstanding and promising to win a gold medal. His heartfelt declaration is tied to a secret he shared with his best friend, In-hyuk: once he wins, he plans to confess his feelings to Im Sol.
With his victory under his belt, Sun-jae sets out to make his confession perfect. However, Im Sol, unaware of his intentions, redirects their plans with her usual bubbly spontaneity. From changing their dinner venue to stealing moments for photos, their day is filled with sweet yet awkward encounters, leaving Sun-jae scrambling for the right moment. Despite his efforts, the timing is never quite right. By the end of the day, when Sun-jae finally musters the courage, Im Sol misinterprets his words and suggests they stay friends. Ouch. Though technically not rejected, Sun-jae is left in romantic limbo, with his hopeful heart still beating strong.
Meanwhile, Geun-seok returns the infamous movie rental, paying the fine in secret—earning a silent nod of recognition from Bok-soon, who knows him better than he thinks.
The episode takes a sharp turn when Im Sol hears troubling news about Sun-jae: he’s been rushed to the hospital. His worsening arm injury means another surgery, potentially ending his swimming career. To make matters worse, Sun-jae’s father throws an unwelcome celebratory party for his son’s recent win, unaware of the devastating news. The heated confrontation that follows leaves Sun-jae heartbroken and disillusioned, storming off into the night. Im Sol, who overhears the argument, feels powerless as her attempts to change his fate seem futile.
But just when things seem darkest, Sun-jae’s father learns the truth about his son’s condition. Their heartfelt reconciliation is a rare, touching moment of vulnerability. Geun-deok urges Sun-jae to undergo the surgery and take his time deciding his future, planting a small seed of hope.
While Sun-jae struggles with his recovery, Im Sol becomes his silent guardian angel. From delivering meals to quietly cheering him on, she finds ways to be there for him, even if from a distance. Her unshakable loyalty provides comfort during Sun-jae’s most challenging days. And when fate brings them together again—this time with a little help from some Omija syrup—an accidental drunken confession leads to a tender kiss under the moonlight. But as sweet as the moment is, Im Sol wakes up the next morning with no memory of it, leaving Sun-jae both smitten and slightly exasperated.
Things take a wild turn when Tae-sung, ever the chaotic presence, proposes a fake relationship to rile up his ex, Choi Ga-hyun. The kicker? Im Sol’s iPod accidentally recorded her drunken confession with Sun-jae the night before. The tension between the trio—Sun-jae, Im Sol, and Tae-sung—escalates, especially when Sun-jae, already feeling competitive, overhears Tae-sung’s bold proposal. Just as the drama hits its peak, the mysterious watch intervenes, whisking Im Sol back to the future for a fleeting glimpse of Sun-jae’s tragic end.
And then, just like that, she’s back in the past. In a jaw-dropping twist, Im Sol says “yes” to Tae-sung’s proposal, leaving everyone—Sun-jae, Tae-sung, and us—reeling. The stakes have never been higher, and the stage is set for a love triangle full of heartache, rivalry, and revelations.
This episode masterfully balances tender romance, gut-wrenching heartbreak, and tantalizing intrigue, leaving us desperate for answers. Will Im Sol’s time-traveling antics save Sun-jae? And what does her sudden agreement with Tae-sung mean for the tangled web of relationships? We’re hooked and can’t wait to see what’s next in this unpredictable journey.
The Forgotten Lifesaver
Episode 4 of Lovely Runner pulls us deeper into the emotional labyrinth of Im Sol and Sun-jae’s intertwined fates, opening with a devastating flashback. We learn that the man who saved Im Sol after her life-changing accident was none other than Sun-jae. But instead of gratitude, a despondent Im Sol lashed out at him, rejecting his help and asking him to leave.
The narrative then shifts to the night of the concert, this time from Sun-jae’s perspective. He recognizes Im Sol instantly and can’t help but find her endearing. Despite her not recalling he was her savior, their shared history is embedded in his heart. She gives him his favorite candy, unknowingly rekindling memories of when she first gave it to him in 2008. In true gentlemanly fashion, Sun-jae follows her home from a distance to ensure her safety, unable to shake his protective instincts.
The bittersweet scene cuts abruptly to 2023, where the tragedy of Sun-jae’s death looms large. As the world mourns, Im Sol is questioned by police as one of the last people to see him alive. When they show her a photo of her and Sun-jae as teenagers, she is stunned, believing the future may have shifted. However, the truth seems far more complex—she simply forgot their shared past.
Heartbroken and desperate, Im Sol revisits the river, begging for another chance to save Sun-jae. She prays for a miracle as she lies in the freezing water, but nothing happens. Back home, she learns from the news that Sun-jae’s depression stemmed from relentless online attacks. When she receives a cryptic call from In-hyuk, hinting at Sun-jae’s lingering feelings of indebtedness to her, she becomes even more determined to change his fate.
At the stroke of midnight, the watch twitches, signaling her chance to time travel again. Im Sol presses the button and is flung back to 2008, landing in the middle of an exorcism performed by her past self, who believes she’s been possessed by a vengeful virgin spirit. Hilarious chaos ensues, but the reunion with Sun-jae is far from joyful. Ten days have passed, and past Im Sol has been fawning over Tae-sung, leaving Sun-jae cold and distant.
Now navigating the delicate balance between past and present, Im Sol struggles to repair her fractured relationship with Sun-jae while detangling herself from Tae-sung. Tae-sung, noticing her erratic behavior, humorously dubs future Im Sol “Grandma,” suspecting she has multiple personalities. Meanwhile, the ever-bickering Bok-soon and Geun-deok continue their spat over a long-lost DVD, and Im Geum’s antics with Hyun-joo add lighthearted moments amid the emotional weight.
In her quest to save Sun-jae, Im Sol confronts In-hyuk and pleads with him to steer Sun-jae away from the world of music. But her warnings fall on deaf ears. When Im Sol learns that Mr. Kim, Sun-jae’s future manager, has given Sun-jae his business card, she devises a daring plan to confiscate it before it can set the tragic chain of events in motion.
Her plan leads her to Sun-jae’s house, where she sneaks into his room under the guise of freezing time—a trick that hilariously backfires when she falls asleep under his bed. Sun-jae’s shock turns into a soft fondness as he watches her sleep, even battling mosquitoes to protect her. When she wakes, they share a heartfelt conversation that teeters between tension and tenderness. Sun-jae, unaware of her memory lapse, is relieved yet embarrassed that his drunken confession and kiss are forgotten.
Despite their fleeting moments of connection, Sun-jae is overwhelmed by his emotions. He asks Im Sol to keep her distance, saying her mixed signals humiliate him. His harsh words shatter Im Sol, who spends the night crying in frustration and sorrow.
The following day, Im Sol attempts to end things with Tae-sung, but past Im Sol’s earnest birthday song for him complicates matters. Tae-sung, increasingly intrigued by future Im Sol, brushes off her explanation about multiple personalities and instead grows jealous of her concern for Sun-jae.
The episode crescendos when Sun-jae rushes to save Im Sol after learning she’s fallen into the water during a scuffle with a predatory man. The dramatic rescue awakens Im Sol’s memory of her accident, finally recognizing Sun-jae as the man who saved her. She embraces him in tears, overwhelmed with gratitude and regret, as Sun-jae holds her close, thankful she is safe.
The epilogue reveals a touching detail: Sun-jae purposely called Im Sol during the infamous radio interview, suggesting his feelings for her have been deeply rooted all along.
Episode 4 masterfully intertwines heart-stopping drama, poignant revelations, and lighthearted humor, leaving us eagerly anticipating how Im Sol will navigate her time-traveling journey to save Sun-jae. Can love transcend time and fate, or will their intertwined destinies remain unchangeable? Only time will tell.
DramaZen's Opinion
Lovely Runner – A Fan’s Heartfelt Take on All the Layers Beneath the Surface
Oh my gosh, where do I even start with this episode? There’s so much happening, and it all makes perfect sense when you think about water as the central metaphor of the drama. Like water, this story is deep, fluid, and brimming with emotion just below the surface. The themes of idols and fans, and how those relationships play out, are quietly devastating. Im Sol’s “confession” to Sun-jae that he’ll never be alone is the perfect example: it’s meant to comfort, but it highlights exactly why being an idol can be so isolating. Fans may adore him, but who really sees him?
We’re watching this loneliness creep in for Sun-jae, especially in the moments where he reflects on the sweet, heartfelt things Sol drunkenly said by the pool. Instead of feeling comforted, he seems sad, like he’s already aware of the gap between what she thinks she’s doing for him and what he truly needs. Sol wants to save him, to lift his spirits, but what Sun-jae needs most is for someone to truly see him for who he is—not the idol, not the swimmer, but just him. The layers here are so beautifully woven, it hurts in the best way.
Can we talk about the hands in this drama? Because the way the director frames their touch is honestly on another level. Every time Sol and Sun-jae are together, their hands speak volumes. The small of her back, her forearms, his shoulder, her face—every single touch feels deliberate and charged. The scene where he pulls her up from the water and she clings to his back? Amazing!!! A The camera lingers on these moments just long enough to make the tension skyrocket. I swear, I keep forgetting to breathe during these scenes. It’s so delicate, so beautifully done, it feels like a whole love language is unfolding in front of us.
And can we talk pacing? I was NOT ready for this drama to unfold so quickly, but I’m loving it. We’ve already had a kiss (!!!), Sol’s memory of the accident came rushing back (which I thought they’d drag out forever), and somehow, there are even more questions now than before. Every episode adds new layers and anxieties, but they all feel believable and grounded.
I’m also obsessed with how the drama balances its quiet, introspective moments with its more dramatic ones. The water scenes are stunning and symbolic, but even the subtle camera work during quieter moments, like Sun-jae reflecting alone or Sol trying to piece things together, pulls you in. The themes of loneliness, healing, and connection are so intricately tied to the plot that I just know the payoff is going to be incredible.
Honestly, this is shaping up to be one of the best dramas I’ve seen in a long time. The writing, the direction, the emotional weight—it’s all perfection. I cannot WAIT to see what twists, turns, and heartaches this story has in store for us next week. Bring it on, Lovely Runner. My heart’s ready (I think).
