- By Srishti Pandey
- Tue, 07 May 2024 10:51 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
The tvN drama series, Lovely Runner, has captured hearts worldwide with its enchanting tale of love that transcends time and space, thanks to the impeccable chemistry between its leads, Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon. However, the journey to bring this heartwarming story to life was not without its challenges.
The production of Lovely Runner reportedly faced delays for three years before finally finding its perfect Ryu Sun Jae in Byeon Woo Seok. Despite the setbacks, the series has become a highly anticipated event in 2024, captivating audiences with its profound storyline and exceptional performances.
One of the major hurdles the production faced was casting the role of Ryu Sun Jae. Many actors reportedly turned down the role before Byeon Woo Seok was cast. Additionally, the series received criticism from Kdrama and Kpop fans, who believed it was insensitively fashioned after the late South Korean idol, Jonghyun of SHINee.
it’s too hard to watch sunjae like this#LovelyRunner #LovelyRunnerEp9 pic.twitter.com/n3n3K34Iyp
— kdrama diary (@kdramasdiary) May 6, 2024
imagine being considered as a weak leads, not getting proper promotion bcs it was considered as an unanticipated drama, but managed to gain skyrocketing popularity due to great acting, directing & a well-written script. truly an organic hit, no one does it like lovely runner💅
— 🦋 (@byeolsparkle) May 6, 2024
WATCH LOVELY RUNNER TRAILER HERE:
However, once the series premiered, these concerns were laid to rest as Lovely Runner unfolded a storyline far beyond its initial previews and teasers. Byeon Woo Seok's portrayal of Ryu Sun Jae, alongside Kim Hye Yoon who has previously worked in Kdramas like Jisoo's Snowdrop, has been praised for its authenticity and depth, earning the show a dedicated fan base.
Despite the initial challenges, Lovely Runner has emerged as an instant hit, with audiences praising the chemistry between its leads and an equally promising storyline. Byeon Woo Seok's performance has also been lauded, marking his ascent to fame as a leading actor in the Kdrama industry, having previously appeared in Korean movies like 20th Century Girl alongside My Demon fame Kim Yoo Jung and others.
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Despite its rocky start, the series has captured the hearts of viewers worldwide, solidifying its place as a beloved Kdrama. The Kdrama is available for streaming on Viki and its new episodes air on Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 pm KST (5:20 pm IST) on South Korea's tvN.