screen ime
screen ime
t
t
one screen at a time
Lovely Runner
june 2024
It’s been over a month since I have watched the last episode of Lovely Runner but I still feel a different ache in my chest when I see a clip of the drama on my newsfeed. From time to time, I rewatch an episode just to relive the pleasure of watching two characters fight for the other.
The drama depicts the story of Im Sol, a fan girl who has found hope to continue living after a moving phone call from Ryu Sun Jae, an idol who was debuting at that time. She was devastated after finding out about Sun Jae’s untimely death. Thanks to the magical watch that she got through an auction (Sun Jae’s watch), she was able to travel back to fifteen years ago. This is where she thought her mission to change Sun Jae’s fate is starting and from this time-traveling escapade begins the comical, heartwarming, and nostalgic tale of #SolJae.
At first glance, it looks like a typical fangirl-idol trope, but there’s a deeper underlying connection between the two leads that is gradually revealed in each episode. I wouldn't say it has the most unique plot as I have seen many time-slip romances that fought against fate before (even local ones, hello Sana Maulit Mula starring Kimerald) HOWEVER!!! It has the most fascinating way of unfolding a narrative in such a way that you see through the joy of the characters when they’re together and the longing when they are apart. One just can't help to hope that both would have a happy ending. As a rom-com series, I expected the usual lighthearted and silly scenes yet this one provided a refreshing delivery of a romance-comedy genre.
One of the most endearing sides of Lovely Runner is that it doesn't portray a typical cool/smart/rich male lead which the female lead would have all the reasons to fall for INSTEAD, as the writer explained, Ryu Sun Jae is made of all the characteristics and experiences that normally a second lead has and go through. (The epilogue of episode two was such a pleasant yet insane surprise!)
Watching this drama had me traveling to 2009 which coincidentally was also during my high school years. You can imagine how much I can relate to the show’s production set - from foldable phones and keychains to Boys Over Flowers magazines!
If there’s one thing that struck me intensely from this series is that throughout, I watched both characters fight to protect the other without expecting to be acknowledged or reciprocated. Both looked after the other more than themselves. Sun Jae was willing to keep dying in every timeline to keep Sol safe while Sol was willing to change the past (even if it meant losing connection to SJ) just to protect him. They went through a lot but Im Sol’s pain struck a chord. I was left wondering if I could ever love someone to that extent - to be mindful of the other’s convenience and be willingly self-sacrificing.
On the other hand, I do not have to wonder what it’s like to have someone give his life on my behalf. The narrative was significant because it made me think of the greatest love that I know of - Christ’s. I have the gospel as my real-life display of a perfectly selfless and unconditional act of love.
Overall, I was satisfied with the progression of the series ESPECIALLY how the writer chose to end it. There were questions on my end that were left unanswered but were overshadowed by how rewarding the last scenes felt. They didn't matter anymore. Hehe
This easily became my top comfort drama. One day, I hope to write a memorable story that connects to people deeply like Lovely Runner does to me. 🙂
_______
PAAPAS:
[Re the OST]
The songs that were chosen for the official soundtrack couldn't be any more suitable! Amazingly, the male lead sang a few of them. The other tracks seemed like they were destined to be for this drama and contributed to the force that made me, as a viewer, more immersed in the emotions that the characters were experiencing.
Until now, listening to the soundtracks kept me in a state of nostalgia. If I ever wanted to feel a bit of sunshine or be gloomy, I’d probably choose to play one of the tracks in full blast. Haha
Particular Fave: Spring Snow by 10 CM
The melody itself already brings so much *feels* and when I read the lyrics in English, I am even more in awe of how the track is truly screaming #Soljae. Yun lang. Hehe
It’s been over a month since I have watched the last episode of Lovely Runner but I still feel a different ache in my chest when I see a clip of the drama on my newsfeed. From time to time, I rewatch an episode just to relive the pleasure of watching two characters fight for the other. The drama depicts the story of Im Sol, a fan girl who has found hope to continue living after a moving phone call from Ryu Sun Jae, an idol who was debuting at that time. She was devastated after finding out about Sun Jae’s untimely death. Thanks to the magical watch that she got through an auction (Sun Jae’s watch), she was able to travel back to fifteen years ago. This is where she thought her mission to change Sun Jae’s fate is starting and from this time-traveling escapade begins the comical, heartwarming, and nostalgic tale of #SolJae. At first glance, it looks like a typical fangirl-idol trope, but there’s a deeper underlying connection between the two leads that is gradually revealed in each episode. I wouldn't say it has the most unique plot as I have seen many time-slip romances that fought against fate before (even local ones, hello Sana Maulit Mula starring Kimerald) HOWEVER!!! It has the most fascinating way of unfolding a narrative in such a way that you see through the joy of the characters when they’re together and the longing when they are apart. One just can't help to hope that both would have a happy ending. As a rom-com series, I expected the usual lighthearted and silly scenes yet this one provided a refreshing delivery of a romance-comedy genre. One of the most endearing sides of Lovely Runner is that it doesn't portray a typical cool/smart/rich male lead which the female lead would have all the reasons to fall for INSTEAD, as the writer explained, Ryu Sun Jae is made of all the characteristics and experiences that normally a second lead has and go through. (The epilogue of episode two was such a pleasant yet insane surprise!) Watching this drama had me traveling to 2009 which coincidentally was also during my high school years. You can imagine how much I can relate to the show’s production set - from foldable phones and keychains to Boys Over Flowers magazines! If there’s one thing that struck me intensely from this series is that throughout, I watched both characters fight to protect the other without expecting to be acknowledged or reciprocated. Both looked after the other more than themselves. Sun Jae was willing to keep dying in every timeline to keep Sol safe while Sol was willing to change the past (even if it meant losing connection to SJ) just to protect him. They went through a lot but Im Sol’s pain struck a chord. I was left wondering if I could ever love someone to that extent - to be mindful of the other’s convenience and be willingly self-sacrificing. On the other hand, I do not have to wonder what it’s like to have someone give his life on my behalf. The narrative was significant because it made me think of the greatest love that I know of - Christ’s. I have the gospel as my real-life display of a perfectly selfless and unconditional act of love. Overall, I was satisfied with the progression of the series ESPECIALLY how the writer chose to end it. There were questions on my end that were left unanswered but were overshadowed by how rewarding the last scenes felt. They didn't matter anymore. Hehe This easily became my top comfort drama. One day, I hope to write a memorable story that connects to people deeply like Lovely Runner does to me. 🙂 _______ PAAPAS: [Re the OST] The songs that were chosen for the official soundtrack couldn't be any more suitable! Amazingly, the male lead sang a few of them. The other tracks seemed like they were destined to be for this drama and contributed to the force that made me, as a viewer, more immersed in the emotions that the characters were experiencing. Until now, listening to the soundtracks kept me in a state of nostalgia. If I ever wanted to feel a bit of sunshine or be gloomy, I’d probably choose to play one of the tracks in full blast. Haha Particular Fave: Spring Snow by 10 CM The melody itself already brings so much *feels* and when I read the lyrics in English, I am even more in awe of how the track is truly screaming #Soljae. Yun lang. Hehe