"Lovely Runner"-Kdrama

There must have been a time when everyone wanted to go back to the past.

Perhaps that’s why there are so many movies and dramas around the world with plots about going back to the past to change reality. This drama depicts the growth and change of its characters through a time travel to the past, finding the true meaning of love and life amidst tangled events. Let’s dive into this drama ‘Lovely Runner‘.

The Nostalgia Of 2008 with “Lovely Runner“

In this drama, the protagonist ‘Im Sol(임솔)’ desperately wants to go back to the past even more after experiencing paralysis of her lower body and the death of her loved one. it possible because it was a drama? Or was it because of her desperation? Suddenly, the protagonist ‘Sol’ goes back to the year 2008 when she was in her third year of high school, her paralyzed legs return to normal, and she runs on both legs to prevent Seonjae(선재)’s death.

Special appearances by Girls’ Generation’s Yuri(유리), Kara’s Han Seung-yeon(한승연), and swimmer Park Tae-hwan(박태환) immerse viewers in the nostalgia of 2008. The sentiment of 2008 is further enriched with popular songs of the time such as Younha(윤하)’s “Umbrella,” Brown Eyes(브라운 아이즈)’ “Gradually,” Loveholics(러브홀릭)’ “Loveholic,” and Kim Hyung-jung(김현정)’s “I Guess So,” which flow in situations fitting the drama.

For Koreans who have already experienced 2008, it will trigger nostalgia, and those who do not know the era can also enjoy the novel fun of the past.

lovely runner — “Lovely Runner”, Source:tvN, Netflix

Time-Slips Into the Past

Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon), unable to move her legs due to an accident, is lying in a hospital bed having extreme thoughts. Then, she receives a random phone call connection from idol group Eclipse’s Ryu Seonjae (Byeon Woo-seok) who appeared on a radio program. While talking on the phone, Im Sol expresses her anger about her situation of being unable to walk.

Ryu Seonjae offers sincere consolation to Im Sol’s anger, saying, “Thank you for being alive. The person next to you will say that they are fortunate just for you being alive, and will thank you. So, let’s live for today. Because the day is too good. Who knows, there might come a day when living feels alright.” Im Sol’s heart, filled with anger, melts, and she becomes a fan of Seonjae. “Running with Seonjae” is the nickname of Im Sol, an ardent fan of the idol band Eclipse in the drama, and it is also the title of the drama in Korean. (선재업고 튀어)

And one day in 2022, she went to a job interview and planned to go to a Ryu Seonjae’s concert. But that day, strange but minor incidents start to happen. Im Sol, who has to move in a wheelchair, has to give up on going to the company because there is no elevator, and she loses her concert ticket and cannot enter the concert hall.

On the way home, it starts to snow and even the wheelchair stops. Then, Ryu Seonjae’s car stops in front of Sol. Seonjae gets out of the car, covers Sol with an umbrella, and gives her a hand warmer. Sol cries and confesses being a fan of Seonjae. Seonjae tries to take Sol home, but they part ways when a friend comes to pick Sol up.

Then, returning to the hotel, Ryu Seonjae wears a gloomy expression before throwing himself into the swimming pool, taking his own life. Shocked by the news of Ryu Seonjae’s death, Im Sol presses hard on Seonjae’s watch she had kept and mourns. At that very moment, time stops and she time-slips into the past. Going back to her high school days, Sol finds Ryu Seonjae, who was a swimmer at the time, and hugs him, crying.

I used to think that foreshadowing of major events, like those seen in dramas, was an essential and inevitable element only in dramas and movies. I thought it was a kind of superstition.

However, my thoughts have changed nowadays. Dramas and movies reflect our lives as they are and, especially, they show my own heart as it is. The fact that the same movie or drama is interpreted differently by each individual depending on their state of mind is proof of this. Therefore, these days, I try to carefully observe any hints given about the direction of my life in my daily activities.

Anyway, in this drama, various hints are given to the protagonist as well. It warns to be careful because a significant event is going to happen.

Speculation Of Link To SHINee’s Jonghyun

According to Korea Times “The show is based on the 2020 web novel “Tomorrow’s #1,” which was adapted into a webtoon in 2021. The screenplay for the drama was crafted by Lee Si-eun, known for her work on tvN’s series “True Beauty” (2020).

However, some online users voiced suspicions regarding potential implications to SHINee’s late member Jonghyun, who passed away in 2017. The allegations suggested that elements such as Im’s time travel back to 2008, coinciding with the year of SHINee’s debut, and the drama premiering on Jonghyun’s birthday may be intentional references.”

But it adds “CJ ENM denied the allegations, clarifying that there were no references intended toward the late singer.”

Filming Locations Of “Lovely Runner”

The Graduate School of Peace and Welfare at Kyung Hee University

The location featured as the Baekryong Film Festival award ceremony venue where Sol and Sunjae meet is the Graduate School of Peace and Welfare at Kyung Hee University, situated in Neung-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

This site is a popular filming location for dramas and other productions, thanks to its classic and stylish space.

The Graduate School of Peace and Welfare at Kyung Hee University, located in Jinjeop-eup, Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do, is the first international graduate school in South Korea, established in 1984.

The school was founded with the aim of training peace-oriented international leaders and has won the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education.

Following the Panmunjom Declaration in 2018, a new era for inter-Korean relations has begun, necessitating significant changes to our national defense policy. The Peace and Security Policy major responds to these contemporary demands by training future-oriented military personnel who understand the new defense policy paradigm.

This program, in particular, offers a valuable educational opportunity for military officers serving in the northeastern military units of Gyeonggi due to the geographical accessibility of its campus located in northeastern Gyeonggi.

The course is led by some of South Korea’s top experts in the field of national defense and security, who possess both practical experience and theoretical knowledge. (Source: Naver Places, Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Peace and Welfare website)

It has also been the filming location for dramas such as “The Heirs” and “The King: Eternal Monarch.”

Google Maps Link of Kyung Hee University

Sea in Goseong, Gangwon-do

Sol, Sunjae, and Taesung visited Inhyuk’s hometown, which is located by the sea in Goseong, Gangwon-do. The places they visited include Ayajin Beach, Cheonggan Beach, and the seaside of Ayajin Port.

Goseong, located in Gangwon-do, South Korea, is home to picturesque coastal scenery, including Ayajin Beach, Cheonggan Beach, and the Ayajin Port.

Ayajin Beach

Location: Ayajin Beach is situated on the northeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula, within the county of Goseong in Gangwon-do. This beach is known for its clear waters and fine sand, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
Features: Ayajin Beach is famous for its scenic sunrise views and tranquil atmosphere. The beach is surrounded by lush pine trees, adding to its natural beauty. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying leisurely walks along the shore.
How to get there: The easiest way to reach Ayajin Beach is by car or bus from the central areas of Goseong. Public transportation options are available, but schedules may vary, so it’s advisable to check the latest information in advance.
Ayajin Beach: Google Maps Link

Cheonggan Beach

Location: Cheonggan Beach is located slightly south of Ayajin Beach, closer to the center of Goseong County. It is less crowded, offering a more serene environment.
Features: The beach is known for its clear, shallow waters and clean sand. It’s particularly popular among families and those seeking a peaceful retreat. The area around Cheonggan Beach is also renowned for its excellent seafood restaurants.
How to get there: Similar to Ayajin Beach, Cheonggan Beach can be accessed by car or local bus services from various parts of Goseong. Given its proximity to Ayajin Beach, visiting both beaches on the same trip is a convenient option.
Cheonggan Beach: Google Maps Link

Ayajin Port

Location: Ayajin Port is located very close to Ayajin Beach, serving as a small fishing port in the area.
Features: The port is an excellent place to experience the local fishing culture and enjoy fresh seafood. Visitors can observe fishing boats coming in and out and even participate in fishing activities during certain times of the year.
How to get there: The port is easily accessible by foot from Ayajin Beach or by local transportation from other parts of Goseong.
Ayajin Port: Google Maps Link

Where to Stay in Goseung

Hanwha Resort Seorak Sorano

Features:

A large resort complex featuring comfortable rooms with kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs.
The resort offers multiple dining options, including a buffet and a Korean restaurant.
Facilities include an indoor water park, a golf course, and a sauna.
Family-friendly with a children’s play area and various entertainment programs.
Scenic views of Seoraksan Mountain and the East Sea.

Location:

Located near Seoraksan National Park, about a 25-minute drive from Goseong Beach.
Address: 9, Seoraksan-ro 836beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea.
Making a Reservation

Lotte Resort Sokcho

Located 1.6 km from Daepo Port in Sokcho, Lotte Resort Sokcho features a restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property.Each room has a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers and a hairdryer. A flat-screen TV is featured.There is a 24-hour front desk at the property.Seorak Waterpia is 8 km from Lotte Resort Sokcho, while Sokcho Beach is 1.3 km from the property.

Making a Reservation

Seoul Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Dongdaemun D.D.P)

The Dongdaemun D.D.P is a representative tourist attraction and a complex cultural space in Korea, appearing in dramas as a concert venue for the group Eclipse and Sunjae.

Opened in 2014, this place is the center of K-fashion and beauty and a representative tourist attraction in Seoul. Originally, it was the site of an elite military unit tasked with guarding the royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty and served as a military training ground. It is also a living history of Korea, being the first place in Korea where professional soccer and baseball leagues kicked off.

Built with the architectural techniques of architect Zaha Hadid, the DDP itself is a satisfying tourist attraction just to admire. The D-Forest has wide spaces, chairs and tables, and various design-related books scattered around, and it serves as a resting place where you can see living plants and a media tree.

Various exhibitions are held at the D.D.P Museum and Design Lab. At the children’s indoor playground “Dikidiki,” children can run around freely, and upon entry, a “play reporting service” is conducted through a beacon bracelet with a smart device attached. That is, a system is in place where sensors are attached to every part of the playground to track the child’s play activities. At the end of play, analysis provides insights into the child’s interests, offering a truly cutting-edge new family tourism experience. The fee is 15,000 won for children and 5,000 won for guardians.

The LED Rose Garden filled with 25,000 electronic roses is a must-visit while you’re here. K-dramas such as My Love From The Stars, Love Alarm, The Producers, and Fated To Love You have filmed romantic scenes here.

True to its status as a tourist attraction, the D.D.T tour, which used to be conducted for a fee, has now become free. It operates in Korean and English from Wednesday to Sunday at 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM for 60 minutes each.

How To Get Here : The subway stop for the DDP is Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, Exit 1. It’s located at the transfer point of subway lines 2, 4, and 5, so it’s very easy to access from anywhere in the city.

Google Maps Link:DDP

Where to Stay Near DDP

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

Features:

A luxurious 5-star hotel offering elegant and spacious rooms.
Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and marble bathrooms.
The hotel features several dining options, including a steakhouse, a buffet restaurant, and a rooftop bar.
Facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center.
Business-friendly with meeting rooms and a business center.

How to Get There:

Approximately a 5-minute walk from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Line 2, 4, and 5).
Address: 279, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Making a Reservation

Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun

Features:

A 4-star hotel offering stylish and comfortable rooms.
Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars.
The hotel features an on-site restaurant, a café, and a rooftop garden.
Facilities include a fitness center, meeting rooms, and a business center.
Ideal for both tourists and business travelers.

How to Get There:

Approximately a 5-minute walk from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Line 2, 4, and 5).
Address: 20, Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Making a Reservation

Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences

Features:

A 4.5-star hotel offering luxurious and spacious rooms.
Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars.
The hotel features multiple dining options, including a buffet restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a lounge.
Facilities include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a spa.
Business-friendly with extensive meeting and event spaces.

How to Get There:

Approximately a 5-minute walk from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Line 2, 4, and 5).
Address: 238, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Making a Reservation

“Monte de” Dessert Cafe

The place that appears as Im Sol’s house in the drama is a dessert café called Montede, located in Haenggung-dong, Suwon. Although it appears as a video room in the drama, it is actually a dessert café filled with sentiment.

Montede is said to be a café created with the hope that the memories of dreams or the visit today will remain as good memories. It is an attractive café that is a renovated house filled with the sentiment of Haenggung-dong.

They sell a variety of items from salt bread to strawberry milk cake.

Address : Suwon-si, Paldal-gu, Hwaseomun-ro 48beon-gil, 14

Tel: 0507-1338-9576

Places to visit nearby:

Hwaseong Haenggung

Suwon Chicken Street

Paldalmun Market

Haenggung-dong, Suwon, is currently the hottest place in Suwon. There are many sentimental accessory shops, edited shops, and cafes, and the neighborhood is beautiful.

Where to Stay Near Haenggung-dong, Suwon

Novotel Ambassador Suwon

Features:
- A 5-star hotel offering modern facilities and luxurious rooms.
- Equipped with various amenities such as a fitness center, business center, and restaurant.
- Conveniently located near Suwon Station.
How to Get There:
- About a 5-minute walk from Suwon Station.
- From Incheon International Airport, take the airport railway to Suwon Station, then walk.
Making a Reservation

Ibis Ambassador Suwon

Features:
- A 3-star hotel offering clean facilities at reasonable prices.
- Meeting rooms and business center available for business travelers.
- Conveniently located near various restaurants and shopping malls.
How to Get There:
- About a 10-minute taxi ride from Suwon Station.
- From Incheon International Airport, take the airport bus to Suwon Station, then take a taxi.
Making a Reservation

Courtyard by Marriott Suwon

Features:
- A 5-star hotel offering contemporary rooms with luxurious amenities.
- Features include a fitness center, business center, and multiple dining options.
- Located in the heart of Suwon, providing easy access to major attractions and business districts.
How to Get There:
- About a 10-minute drive from Suwon Station.
- From Incheon International Airport, take the airport bus to Suwon Station, then take a taxi.
Making a Reservation

Staz Hotel Premier Dongtan

Features:
- A 5-star hotel offering modern and spacious rooms with top-notch amenities.
- Amenities include a fitness center, business center, and a variety of dining options.
- Located in the Dongtan area, providing easy access to Suwon and nearby attractions.
How to Get There:
- About a 20-minute drive from Suwon Station.
- From Incheon International Airport, take the airport bus to Dongtan, then take a taxi.
Making a Reservation

Jeonju Nambu Market

Jeonju Nambu Market is a historical place that has existed since the early Joseon Dynasty. It has about 800 stores selling furniture, dried fish, vegetables, fruits, and medicinal herbs, and on the second floor of Market 6, there is a ‘Youth Mall’ similar to the atmosphere of Samcheong-dong and Hongdae alley in Seoul.

Near the Youth Mall, there is a ‘Sky Garden’ where flea markets and various programs add fun to market tours.

And you can buy Jeonju souvenirs here, as well as Jeonju’s traditional alcohol ‘Moju’ and ‘Jeonju Choco Pie’ are popular as gifts.

In the ‘Hanok Village‘ inside the Nambu Market, there is a night market where you can enjoy various food and art. It is close enough to walk to the Hanok Village.

Inside the market, there are various food trucks, so you can eat Korea’s representative street foods such as ‘skewered grills’, ‘tteokbokki’, ‘gimbap’, and ‘yukjeon’. In this market, the blood sausage from ‘Jojeomrye Sundae Soup Restaurant’ and ‘Bean Sprout Soup’ are also famous, so you must try them.

<Note>

It is good to schedule the Hanok Village and the night market on the same itinerary when traveling since they are close to each other.

Since the alleys are narrow, it is recommended to walk.

Some places do not accept cards, so cash is needed.

Goggle Maps Link

Where to Stay in Jeonju

Lahan Hotel Jeonju

Features:

A 4-star hotel offering elegant and spacious rooms with modern decor.
Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and city views.
The hotel features an on-site restaurant serving Korean and international cuisine.
Facilities include a fitness center, a sauna, and meeting rooms.
Conveniently located near Jeonju Hanok Village, making it ideal for tourists.

How to Get There:

About a 15-minute drive from Jeonju Station.
Address: 85, Girin-daero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.
Making a Reservation

Jeonju Wangyijimil Hanok Hotel

Features:

Traditional Hanok Design: The hotel is built in the style of traditional Korean houses, with wooden structures, tiled roofs, and paper windows. Guests can experience the beauty and tranquility of Korean heritage.
Comfortable Rooms: Despite its traditional design, the rooms are equipped with modern facilities such as air conditioning, heating, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms.
Cultural Experience: The hotel offers various cultural experiences, including traditional Korean tea ceremonies, hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) rental, and calligraphy classes.
Beautiful Courtyard: The hotel features a serene courtyard where guests can relax and enjoy the peaceful ambiance.
Proximity to Attractions: Located within Jeonju Hanok Village, the hotel is close to many cultural and historical sites, including Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeonju Hanok Village, and Jeonju Traditional Wine Museum.

How to Get There:

Address:
5218-20 Chunhyang-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
Making a Reservation

Jeonju Lime Hotel

Features:
- A modern hotel offering comfortable and stylish accommodations.
- Features include free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk service, and complimentary breakfast.
- The hotel has a variety of room types, including family rooms and suites, catering to different needs.
Location:
- Located in the heart of Jeonju, it provides easy access to Jeonju Hanok Village and other major attractions.
- Nearby points of interest include the Jeonju Zoo and Deokjin Park, making it a great choice for families and tourists.
How to Get There:
- From Jeonju Station, it is about a 10-minute drive to the hotel.
- From Incheon International Airport, take the KTX to Jeonju Station, then take a taxi or local bus to the hotel.
Making a Reservation

Gimcheon Indoor Swimming Pool

In the drama, ‘Seonjae’ appears as a high school swimmer, so there are many swimming pool scenes. This swimming pool is located in the Gimcheon Indoor Swimming Pool in Gimcheon. This place is a swimming pool within the Gimcheon Comprehensive Sports Town and offers spaces for swimming, tennis, badminton, squash, and artificial rock climbing.

Google Maps link

Cafe “The Road”

“Cafe Road” located in Doksan-dong is near Doksan Station Exit 1. The cafe has beautiful cherry blossoms in front of its windows and has a nice atmosphere.

Google Maps link