Before airing, the Korean drama Lovely Runner faced controversy due to suspicions of referencing the late SHINee’s Jonghyun. However, the production team clarified that the drama’s story wasn’t based on any specific individual.
Lovely Runner managed to capture the interest of Korean drama enthusiasts globally, including in Indonesia. However, its production encountered challenges, leading to a three-year delay. Wondering why? Here’s more on why Lovely Runner faced postponement.
1. Numerous Actors Declined Sun Jae’s Role
first look at Lovely Runner (doc. tvN)Initially, Lovely Runner was a Korean drama project that faced a significant delay before becoming a viral sensation in 133 countries. Reports suggest that it took three years to kickstart production due to difficulties in casting. Many actors rejected the role, believing it was merely about a fan falling in love with an idol.
2. Reasons for Choosing Byeon Woo Seok as the Lead Male Character
first look at Lovely Runner (doc. tvN)Eventually, Byeon Woo Seok stepped in. According to a post on Theqoo, the director of Lovely Runner chose the actor after witnessing his performance in the film 20th Century Girls. Recruiting Byeon Woo Seok for the role of Ryu Sun Jae proved to be a wise decision. His exceptional portrayal of a KPop idol earned the series immense love from audiences worldwide.
3. Production Team Encountered Scheduling Issues Leading to Director’s Departure
first look at Lovely Runner (doc. tvN)Aside from casting challenges and the three-year delay, Lovely Runner faced additional conflicts, including scheduling problems that caused the director to exit the project. Despite these hurdles, the Korean drama finally premiered on April 8, 2024. According to Rakuten Viki’s global OTT platform, the series claimed the top spot in 133 countries on April 18, 2024.
Lovely Runner has stirred a phenomenon with the “Ryu Sun Jae syndrome,” hasn’t it?