Lovely Runner is a captivating Korean drama that seamlessly blends romance, comedy, coming-of-age elements, and a touch of time travel with a thriller twist. The story revolves around Lim Sol (Kim Hye Yoon), a devoted fan who travels back in time to save Ryu Seon Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), the lead vocalist of Eclipse, who allegedly committed suicide. Despite its seemingly familiar premise, Lovely Runner excels in its execution, offering unexpected scenes and a warm, joyful narrative. If you enjoyed Lovely Runner, here are five other Korean dramas that share a similar feel.
Twinkling Watermelon (2023)
trailer for the drama Twinkling Watermelon (instagram.com/tvn_drama)Twinkling Watermelon follows Ha Eun Gyeol (Ryeo Un), who unexpectedly travels back to 1995, the year his parents were 18-year-old teenagers. Eun Gyeol, whose parents are deaf, discovers that his father’s deafness resulted from an accident during his teenage years. While his primary goal is to save his father and reunite his parents, Eun Gyeol also gets to enjoy his youth.
Similar to Lovely Runner, Twinkling Watermelon combines comedy and romance with a time-travel twist. However, Twinkling Watermelon places a stronger emphasis on the fun and nostalgic aspects of time travel. Additionally, the drama features Yoon Chung A (Shin Eun Soo), who secretly admires Ha Yi Chan (Choi Hyun Wook), adding a sweet, romantic subplot reminiscent of Ryu Seon Jae’s secret love for Lim Sol in Lovely Runner.
A Time Called You (2023)
trailer for the drama A Time Called You (instagram.com/netflixid)This Netflix original drama tells the poignant story of Han Jun Hee (Jeon Yeo Bin), who struggles to move on after her boyfriend Koo Yeon Jun (Ahn Hyo Seop) dies in a plane crash. On her birthday, she receives an old music player containing an album by Seo Ji Won. After falling asleep while listening to the music, Jun Hee wakes up in 1995 in the body of a teenage girl named Kwon Min Ju and meets Nam Si Heon (Ahn Hyo Seop), who resembles her late boyfriend.
While Lovely Runner features a lighter take on time travel, the central theme of traveling back to save someone dear is a shared element. Both Han Jun Hee and Lim Sol embark on time-travel journeys to save the precious people in their lives, making A Time Called You a compelling watch for fans of Lovely Runner.
Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)
drama trailer Twenty Five Twenty One (tvn.cjenm.com)Set in 1998, Twenty Five Twenty One portrays the journey from teenage years to adulthood of Na Hee Do (Kim Tae Ri) and Baek Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk). Na Hee Do dreams of becoming a fencer, while Baek Yi Jin struggles with the fallout from his father’s business failure. Despite facing numerous challenges, the two characters navigate their aspirations and relationships with humor and resilience.
Though the genre similarities between Twenty Five Twenty One and Lovely Runner are primarily rooted in their romantic comedy aspects, both dramas became widely popular and were hot topics on social media during their airing periods. The unexpected twists and light-hearted conflicts in both dramas keep viewers engaged and entertained.
Our Beloved Summer (2021)
drama poster Our Beloved Summer (sbs.co.kr/Our Beloved Summer)Starring Kim Da Mi and Choi Woo Sik, Our Beloved Summer chronicles the reunion of ex-lovers Choi Ung and Kook Yeon Su five years after their breakup. During high school, they participated in a documentary project, initially despising each other before falling in love. However, their relationship ended for unexplained reasons, leaving lingering feelings unresolved.
Although Our Beloved Summer lacks a time travel element, it shares a similar feel to Lovely Runner by exploring the characters’ teenage and adult lives. The color palettes of both dramas—dominated by shades of yellow and blue—also create a visually cohesive atmosphere, enhancing the nostalgic and warm tone of the narratives.
Extraordinary You (2019)
Extraordinary You drama trailer (imbc.com)Extraordinary You marks Kim Hye Yoon’s debut as a leading actress. The drama centers on Eun Dan O, who realizes she is an extra character in a comic book and has a limited lifespan due to a heart condition. Determined to take control of her fate, she seeks out her true love, defying the comic writer’s predetermined storyline.
Both Lovely Runner and Extraordinary You feature school settings, though Lovely Runner progresses beyond the school phase early on. While Extraordinary You leans more towards fantasy, both dramas share the theme of characters experiencing dual consciousness—Eun Dan O’s awareness of her comic book existence and Lim Sol’s time-traveling soul inhabiting her younger self’s body.
For fans of Lovely Runner, these five Korean dramas offer a blend of similar genres, heartfelt stories, and memorable characters, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience. Whether you’re drawn to time travel, nostalgic romances, or tales of self-discovery, these dramas provide a rich tapestry of emotions and adventures.