Drama Lovely Runner finally wrapped up with a total of 16 episodes. Throughout the series, viewers followed Im Sol’s struggle to protect her idol, Ryu Sun Jae, through various timelines. Despite the happy ending, the drama has sparked many fan theories on social media. If you’re still confused about the ending of Lovely Runner, here is a detailed explanation.
Warning: The article below contains heavy spoilers!
1. Kim Young Soo Finally Dies
Being the cause of the problem from the start, Kim Young Soo ended up dead. Even though he had no contact with Im Sol in the past, it was revealed that Kim Young Soo had previously carried out murders at Juyang Reservoir and was arrested in 2008. Having just been free, Young Soo then targeted the Gangnam area and carried out a series of kidnappings. However, this action failed after Kim Tae Sung chased him. Like replacing Ryu Sun Jae’s destiny, the villain, who worked as a taxi driver, was eventually killed by a garbage truck, and his body fell into the river.
2. Ryu Sun Jae Remembers Every Timeline He Has Experienced
Ryu Sun Jae’s journey through the timelines is a central theme in Lovely Runner. Although he initially forgot, Sun Jae eventually remembered all the memories from the four timelines Im Sol experienced. From first falling for Im Sol in the initial timeline to being stabbed by Kim Young Soo in the third, his memories returned gradually. This was illustrated by a scene where he cried upon seeing a necklace with an ‘S’ pendant, a birthday gift from Im Sol in the third timeline.
3. Only Im Sol Travels Through Time
A prevalent theory on social media was that Ryu Sun Jae might also travel through time. However, the final episode debunked this. Im Sol is the only character who travels through time, while Sun Jae’s memories return without him time-traveling. Im Sol’s grandmother plays a crucial role in this time-travel narrative, though the reason behind her apparent knowledge of Sol’s journeys remains a mystery.
4. Im Sol Can No Longer Time Travel Because of Her Grandmother
Im Sol’s time-traveling abilities come to an end due to her grandmother, Mal Ja. Mal Ja often held a watch, the medium for Im Sol’s time travel, and her dialogues hinted at a deeper understanding of time travel. In the final episodes, Mal Ja mentions that all memories are stored in the soul, regardless of the brain’s capacity to remember. This suggests that Mal Ja might be experiencing all of Im Sol’s memories due to her dementia. Additionally, Sun Jae’s watch, essential for time travel, is thrown into a ditch by Mal Ja, indicating that it can no longer be used.
5. Ryu Sun Jae and Im Sol Finally Got Married
Ryu Sun Jae and Im Sol’s romantic relationship becomes public, and both families accept their union. After postponing their marriage for Im Sol’s dream of becoming a director, Sun Jae finally proposes. The wedding scene appears in the middle of their kiss, leaving viewers to interpret whether it was real or a shared vision of their future. This scene symbolizes their happy ending and the potential of seeing a future together.
The drama concludes on a positive note, with viewers sharing their happiness on social media. Whether you were satisfied with the Lovely Runner ending or not, it’s clear that the show has left a lasting impression.
In my opinion, the ending of Lovely Runner beautifully tied up the complex narrative threads. The show’s ability to blend romance, time travel, and mystery kept me hooked till the very end. The final scenes, especially the wedding, were a perfect blend of imagination and reality, leaving a lasting impression. What are your thoughts on the ending? Did it meet your expectations?