Themed around time travel, Lovely Runner follows Im Sol’s (Kim Hye Yoon) journey across two different stages of life. In 2008, she’s a 19-year-old high schooler, while in 2023, she’s a 34-year-old adult.
Being 15 years apart, there are noticeable differences in attitudes between teenage and adult Im Sol, despite being the same person. So, what sets them apart? Here are five key distinctions:
1. Favorite Idols
excerpt from the drama Lovely Runner (doc. tvN/Lovely Runner)In her teens, Im Sol adored Kim Tae Sung (Song Geon Hee), a popular bass player from Jagam High School, whom she considered her first love. However, as an adult, she idolizes Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), a renowned vocalist from the band Eclipse, who inspired her during a time of depression.
2. Fan Behavior
excerpt from the drama Lovely Runner (doc. tvN/Lovely Runner)Both as a teenager and an adult, Im Sol is a fan. Yet, there’s a notable shift in her approach. As a teenager, she sees Kim Tae Sung not just as an idol but also as a potential romantic interest. However, as an adult, she views Ryu Sun Jae purely as an idol and even travels through time to save him from a tragic fate.
3. Level of Maturity
excerpt from the drama Lovely Runner (doc. tvN/Lovely Runner)In terms of maturity, of course teenage Im Sol is much less wise than Im Sol at the age of 34. When he was still a teenager, this Korean drama character immediately became angry when he found out that his mother had asked for permission to travel. He thought his mother was selfish and suspected that her mother had dated another man after his father died.
But when time travel Even adult Im Sol doesn’t act childish like it used to be. He can understand much more if he is in his mother’s position. Im Sol also allowed her mother to travel. In fact, without hesitation, Im Sol told her mother to find another partner so that she wouldn’t be lonely in her old age.
Apart from that, the teenage Im Sol’s attitude towards Kim Tae Sung also tends to be naive and innocent, you know. At that time, Im Sol couldn’t see the bad side that Tae Sung had, such as liking smoking and skipping school. He only looks at Tae Sung in terms of his good looks.
When Im Sol as an adult traveled to 2008, he often advised Kim Tae Sung. As an adult, Im Sol also doesn’t hesitate to pay attention to Tae Sung. For example, giving a plaster cast when Kim Tae Sung was injured and giving him advice not to fight again if he wanted to have a bright future.
4. Hairstyle
excerpt from the drama Lovely Runner (doc. tvN/Lovely Runner)Teenage Im Sol sports cute, straight, and long hair with flat bangs, while adult Im Sol opts for long, wavy hair with a more mature appearance.
5. Speech Pattern
excerpt from the drama Lovely Runner (doc. tvN/Lovely Runner)The teenage Im Sol has a shrill, child-like voice and tends to speak impulsively, whereas the adult Im Sol has a deeper, calmer voice and speaks more thoughtfully.
Through Kim Hye Yoon’s portrayal, audiences can easily distinguish between the teenage and adult Im Sol, both of whom bring unique stories to Lovely Runner. Which version of Im Sol do you prefer?