Lovely Runner portrays a fantastical love story between idols and fans. Im Sol, portrayed by Kim Hye Yoon, unexpectedly finds herself back in high school in 2008 after learning of the death of her idol, Ryu Sun Jae (played by Byeon Woo Seok).
Back in the past, Im Sol is determined to change Ryu Sun Jae’s fate and discovers things about him she never knew as a teenager. Here are three facts about Ryu Sun Jae that teenage Im Sol overlooked in Lovely Runner.
1. In high school, Im Sol and Ryu Sun Jae attended different schools, despite living close by.
footage of Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon in the drama Lovely Runner (instagram.com/garagelab.official)During their high school years, Im Sol was oblivious to Ryu Sun Jae’s existence, despite their proximity. Im Sol only realized later that Ryu Sun Jae attended Jagam High School, which was directly opposite her own school. Im Sol’s attention was focused on another boy from Jagam High, Kim Tae Sung, so she never noticed Ryu Sun Jae. However, when given the chance to return to high school, Im Sol seizes the opportunity to get closer to Ryu Sun Jae.
2. Ryu Sun Jae was once Im Sol’s neighbor.
footage of Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok in the drama Lovely Runner (doc. tvN/Lovely Runner)Not only did Im Sol and Ryu Sun Jae attend different schools, but they also lived near each other. Ryu Sun Jae moved into a house across from Im Sol’s during high school. Im Sol only discovers this after returning to 2008 from 2023. Despite initially causing Ryu Sun Jae to misunderstand her intentions by pretending to be a fortune teller, this moment leads Im Sol to realize that Ryu Sun Jae was her neighbor. Had she known earlier, she might have become his fan much sooner.
3. Ryu Sun Jae harbored feelings for Im Sol.
footage of Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon in the drama Lovely Runner (doc. tvN/Lovely Runner)On New Year’s Eve 2023, Im Sol crosses paths with Ryu Sun Jae. Despite facing numerous misfortunes, including losing concert tickets for Ryu Sun Jae’s group, Eclipse, Im Sol considers their meeting a miracle. Unbeknownst to her, Ryu Sun Jae had feelings for her since their high school days and often sought opportunities to get closer to her. Their encounter on New Year’s Eve was more than just a fan meeting an idol; it was a moment filled with deeper emotions.
Im Sol realizes that her future idol was already a significant presence in her teenage years. Returning to high school enables Im Sol to uncover new insights about Ryu Sun Jae that complement her fan knowledge. Will they both find a happy ending? Only time will tell.