Lovely Runner K-Drama Review: A Watchable Time Slip Narrative

I am not a fan of K-drama romances. I like thriller shows like All of Us Are Dead and coming-of-age shows like Hello, My Twenties and Reply 1988. Despite its tacky title, I don’t know what got me into Lovely Runner. Surprisingly, I am loving it. So, here is my review of the ongoing K-drama, Lovely Runner directed by Yoon Jong Ho and Kim Tae Yub.

I started watching out of boredom, but now I’m hooked because the main actress is from Sky Castle, one of my favourites. This series is surprisingly funny, and here are some of my thoughts:

Subversion of Tropes in Lovely Runner

Watching a woman taking on all odes to save a man’s life (even though she is returning the favour) is refreshing. It’s usually the other way around. There are moments of subversion in many scenes; the hero despite being the usual handsome star is almost an underdog here. He is being taken care of by the heroine in many ways.

Though there are typical romantic scenes in Lovely Runner, there is also a spoof of the same shown through two supporting characters.

Issues – It’s Mainly the Writing

When I say Lovely Runner is watchable, it’s nothing more than that.

There are no shocking plot twists that a narrative like this demands. The so-called twist that changes the lives of the protagonists Sun-jae and Im Sol is something we have probably seen many times before.

The drama itself suffers from this lack of innovation in writing (the plot twist is so sudden that you even feel it’s unnecessary to take the story forward).

Another flaw is how Sun-jae believes that Im Sol is from the future. The narrative elements that build up to that moment are so shallow that it is not convincing enough. Often, there is no suspension of disbelief which is crucial for a time-slip narrative.

The major flaw is that the series is so obsessed with the main characters that it loses focus on the other plot elements and almost entirely forgets to create a full-fledged supporting character.

All the supporting characters are supremely underwritten. None of them are necessary to move the story forward – at least it doesn’t feel like it. We have a great pool of talent wasted because of how peripherally they are written.

The Performances

Since the narrative almost entirely focuses on the main characters, the series depends on the lead actors.

Byeon Woo Seok plays the extremely charming Ryu Sun-Jae with ease. The character is so likeable because we get to see him through the eyes of Im Sol. The actor has the charisma of an idol and he carries it well.

However, he shines more in emotional scenes. He plays a character opposite of what one would think of his physical buildup. He eases into Sun-jae’s vulnerability, his slow-wittedness, and hopeless romance.

The heavy lifting is done by Kim Hye Yoon who plays Im Sol. She appears in almost every scene in the drama.

She is arguably the backbone of this series. In the wrong hands, Im Sol could have been annoying. But the actor plays her with so much liveliness and warmth that she becomes the most lovable and unforgettable part of the series.

Final Verdict

If you are looking for something solid and entertaining, you can go for Lovely Runner. I wouldn’t say it’s a must-watch but it would be worth your time because it’s engaging.