Im Sol, portrayed by Kim Hye Yoon, travels through time in the Korean drama Lovely Runner. Her mission is to rescue her idol, Ryu Sun Jae, played by Byeon Woo Seok, who is believed to have taken his own life due to depression.
However, her time travels lead to unexpected events. She not only encounters Ryu Sun Jae’s life but also revisits significant events from her own past upon her return to the present year.
In episode 4 of Lovely Runner, Im Sol begins to unravel the mysteries she’s been seeking answers to. What are you curious about? Dive into this article to find out!
1. The Cause of Im Sol’s Accident and the Person Who Saved Her
Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) and Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok) in the drama Lovely Runner (instagram.com/tvn_drama)Im Sol’s accident is a puzzling incident for the audience. Following the accident, she can’t recall how it happened or who saved her life.
In episode 2, a scene shows Im Sol narrowly avoiding being hit by a car. This event triggers memories from 2008 when she was similarly saved from harm by an unknown person. However, this incident didn’t cause her paralysis.
In episode 4, Im Sol finds herself at a quiet bus stop after missing her intended stop. A drunken fisherman approaches her, and in the ensuing chaos, Ryu Sun Jae, who has been trailing her in a taxi, comes to her rescue.
During this incident, Im Sol remembers being saved by Ryu Sun Jae, connecting it to the 2008 event. However, before time traveling, she couldn’t accept that she had been saved, as the accident left her legs paralyzed. She felt it would have been preferable to die than to live as a disabled person.
2. The Right Time for Time Travel
Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) in the drama Lovely Runner (instagram.com/tvn_drama)While on her mission, Im Sol unexpectedly returns to her present time. Despite her attempts, she couldn’t time travel at will, even by throwing herself into the river, echoing her initial experience.
It turns out that Im Sol must wait until precisely midnight to travel back in time and pursue her mission. The method remains consistent: time travel relies on digital watches. Discussing future events halts time, and the time paradox connects past and future.
3. Insights into Ryu Sun Jae’s Life Before His Untimely End
Ryu Sun Jae (Byun Woo Seok) in the drama Nothing Uncovered (instagram.com/tvn_drama)Following his death, Ryu Sun Jae is revealed to have battled depression. Fans speculate it was triggered by online harassment from supporters of his friend Baek In Hyuk. However, his depression stemmed from various sources, not just the hate speech.
During Im Sol’s time travels, it’s revealed that Ryu Sun Jae struggled with depression since 2008 due to unfulfilled aspirations of becoming a professional swimmer. Despite his shoulder injury, he continued training to meet his father’s expectations, enduring ridicule even after transitioning to an idol career.
4. The Reason Behind Kim Tae Sung’s School Expulsion
Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) and Kim Tae Sung (Song Geon Hee) in the drama Lovely Runner (instagram.com/tvn_drama)Kim Tae Sung, portrayed by Song Geon Hee, was a topic of discussion among Im Sol and her friends. Despite her idolization of him, Kim Tae Sung’s whereabouts remained unknown after graduation, with rumors of his expulsion due to a serious altercation. Known as a troublemaker, he frequently engaged in fights at school.
During Im Sol’s time travels, she reconnects with Kim Tae Sung, revealing they were once lovers. Kim Tae Sung’s troubled relationship with his indifferent father led him to engage in harmful behavior. Im Sol intervenes to prevent his expulsion by discouraging smoking and intervening in fights.
As Im Sol continues her time travels, many unanswered questions remain, particularly regarding Ryu Sun Jae’s future. Will she find a way to prevent his tragic fate in future episodes of Lovely Runner?
