Lovely Runner

Lore & Background

The series was originally published as a web novel on KakaoPage between July and September 2020, written by Kim Bbang, and later adapted into a webtoon by illustrator Doong Doong in September 2021. It was previously titled Time Walking on Memory. Writer Lee Si-eun stated that the character Im Sol was specifically created with actress Kim Hye-yoon in mind. The series took three years to produce and was offered to several other actors before the role ultimately went to Byeon Woo-seok.

Reader's Guide

Lovely Runner garnered positive reviews from audiences despite modest viewership ratings, contributing significantly to Byeon Woo-seok's rise to stardom and solidifying Kim Hye-yoon's reputation in the industry. Film critic Jung Duk-hyun praised Kim for her exceptional acting prowess. Singapore's The Straits Times gave the series four out of five stars, calling the love story captivating and the plot 'multi-layered.' Time Magazine praised the drama as one of the best K-dramas of 2024, commending its use of familiar genres to craft a thrillingly unexpected story. The series was also available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions starting August 1, 2024.

Did You Know?

• The series was previously titled Time Walking on Memory.
• Writer Lee Si-eun created the character Im Sol specifically with actress Kim Hye-yoon in mind.
• The series took three years to produce and was offered to several other actors before Byeon Woo-seok was cast.
• It was originally scheduled for the second half of 2023 but moved to the first half of 2024 due to changes in tvN's lineup.