Countdown to 'Lovely Runner' finale: Is happy ending in store
Since its April premiere, the K-drama series Lovely Runner—featuring Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok—has dominated ratings. Adapted from a webtoon inspired by the web novel Tomorrow's Best, the show has gained widespread attention for its unique time-travel narrative. Lovely Runner has reached its 14th episode and is set to conclude on May 28. As we approach the finale, we speculate whether it will end on a happy or sad note.
'Lovely Runner' breaks away from time-travel drama stereotypes
Approaching its conclusion, Lovely Runner has successfully managed to steer clear of the clichés typically associated with time-travel dramas. The series narrates the story of a passionate K-pop fan, Im Sol (played by Kim), who travels back in time to prevent the death of her favorite idol, Ryu Sun-jae (portrayed by Byeon). The narrative is both humorous and heartwarming, offering viewers a fresh take on the genre.
Will it have a happy ending?
Spoilers ahead. With three episodes remaining, the fate of LR is still up in the air, but we can speculate based on the web novel's ending, which concludes with an open-ended finale. Im faces numerous obstacles in her quest to save her idol, and initially, she fails to prevent his death. However, her relentless determination ultimately pays off. By the end, Ryu is alive in the "present day." Whether the show will adhere to this conclusion remains to be seen.
A satisfying yet thought-provoking ending in sight
To note, LR is directed by Yoon Jong-ho, who is known for crafting happy yet somewhat open-ended conclusions. His previous work includes Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016), which featured a happy ending that still left room for interpretation. The drama is written by Lee Shi-eun, renowned for her work on True Beauty (2020). Given their track record, there's a good chance that LR might follow a similar path, leaving fans with a satisfying yet thought-provoking finale.
Global availability of 'Lovely Runner' via Rakuten Viki
Lovely Runner airs every Monday and Tuesday in South Korea on tvN and is also available globally on the same day via the streaming platform Rakuten Viki. A subscription is required to watch the full series on Viki, although the first two episodes are available for free viewing. As of now, 14 episodes have been aired with the next set to air on next Monday. The last two episodes will be released on May 27 and May 28.
