TV show · 2024 · Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comedy, Mystery · Korean
Curator score: 5.5/10 (16.5K ratings)
I will protect both you and me.
Overview
Right after Ryu Sun-jae, a top star, ends his life, Im Sol, his top fan, somehow ends up at a time when they were in high school and tries to protect him. A fantasy romance unfolds where people who missed each other in time finally meet.
Ratings
Curator score: 5.5/10
IMDb: 8.5/10
TMDB: 8.6/10
Created by
Kim Tae-yeoup, Yoon Jong-ho
Production
Bon Factory, CJ ENM Studios
Cast
Byeon Woo-seok, Kim Hye-yoon, Song Geon-hee, Lee Seung-hyub, Jeong Young-ju, Seong Byeong-suk, Song Ji-ho, Seo Hye-won, Kim Won-hae, Ahn Sang-woo, Lee Il-jun, Yang Hyuk, Moon Yong-seok, Park Yoon-hee, Jeon Yeong, Go Tae-jin, Heo Hyung-kyu, Kim Hwi-gyu
Where to watch
Rakuten Viki
Curator Review
Verdict
A buoyant, emotionally direct time-slip romance with strong chemistry, a high-concept hook, and a surprisingly effective mix of comedy, mystery, and melodrama. It’s especially rewarding if you like swoony, fate-driven stories that still move quickly and keep the stakes personal.
Best for
fans of romantic fantasy and time-travel twists
viewers who enjoy high-chemistry leads and emotional payoffs
people who like melodrama with humor and mystery
K-drama fans looking for a bingeable, one-season series
Skip if
you want grounded realism with no fantasy premise
you dislike earnest romance or heightened emotional storytelling
you prefer tightly plotted thrillers over emotional wish-fulfillment
you’re tired of time-slip narratives and destiny-driven love stories
Overview
Lovely Runner is one of those rare romance series that knows exactly how to weaponize longing. Its time-slip premise gives the story urgency, but the real engine is the central relationship: playful, tender, and built on the kind of chemistry that makes even familiar beats land with force. It’s glossy and unabashedly sentimental, but also nimble enough to keep the mystery and emotional stakes moving.
Worth noting
The show works best when it leans into its mix of comedy, fandom, and fate, turning a familiar K-drama setup into something highly watchable and emotionally sticky. The tone is bright, but it doesn’t stay lightweight for long; the series repeatedly pivots into heartbreak and suspense, which gives the romance real momentum.
Bottom line
As a single-season drama, it’s easy to recommend as a binge. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it delivers the pleasures that matter most: chemistry, catharsis, and a strong sense of romantic destiny. If you enjoy polished, emotionally generous K-dramas, this is an easy yes.