Since its release on Monday (8/4/2024), the drama Lovely Runner has been a hot topic among viewers. This Korean drama is based on the webnovel The Best of Tomorrow by kimbbang, which was later illustrated as a webtoon in two seasons. The drama concluded on Tuesday (28/5/2024) with 16 episodes. Although the drama version had a happy ending, many are curious about the original story in the webtoon version, which spans 50 chapters. Let’s dive into the story recap and the webtoon ending of The Best of Tomorrow, also known as Lovely Runner.
The Journey Begins: Im Sol and Ryu Seon Jae
Ryu Seon Jae, a member of Kamjajeon, joined the idol group after their debut and faced significant criticism from fans. Despite this, he had a dedicated supporter, Im Sol, a college student crazy about Seon Jae. Tragically, Seon Jae died due to a drug overdose at 23, leaving Im Sol devastated. A mysterious pocket watch transported her six years into the past, where she was determined to save her idol.
A Second Chance: Time Travel and New Beginnings
Trailer for the webtoon The Best of Tomorrow (doc. KAKAO WEBTOON/The Best of Tomorrow)
Believing it to be a dream, Im Sol went to Jagam School, where she encountered Seon Jae and his friend Bae In Hyuk. Her presence, marked by a different uniform, drew attention. To blend in, Im Sol bought a Jagam School uniform from a used goods app, only to discover that Seon Jae was the seller. Their initial interactions were awkward, with Seon Jae thinking Im Sol was stalking him. Despite the confusion, Im Sol persisted in her efforts to save Seon Jae, but he still died. Im Sol, back in the present, realized the events weren’t a dream and decided to tinker with the pocket watch, returning to the past again.
The Struggle to Save Seon Jae
Trailer for the webtoon The Best of Tomorrow (doc. KAKAO WEBTOON/The Best of Tomorrow)
Im Sol’s attempts to alter the future were met with challenges. She tried to warn Seon Jae about the dangers of flu medicine and sleeping pills, but her messages mysteriously disappeared. Determined, she provided books on depression and sleeping pills to Seon Jae through his friend, Seo Yoon Jae. Despite her efforts, an anonymous call warned her that her time in the past was limited. Eventually, her attempts bore fruit, and Seon Jae survived in the present.
Changing the Future
Trailer for the webtoon The Best of Tomorrow (doc. KAKAO WEBTOON/ The Best of Tomorrow)
Im Sol discovered that her actions had changed the future significantly. She no longer idolized Seon Jae, who grew up as a gloomy person. The story’s first season ended with Im Sol crying over the changes she had caused in Seon Jae’s life.
Reunion and New Beginnings
Trailer for the webtoon The Best of Tomorrow (doc. KAKAO WEBTOON/The Best of Tomorrow)
In the second season, Im Sol, now working at a broadcasting station, accidentally met Seon Jae. Although he didn’t recognize her, their friends, Bae In Hyuk and Seo Yoon Jae, did. Seon Jae still harbored feelings of disappointment, but with Bae In Hyuk’s help, he reconnected with Im Sol. Their relationship gradually warmed up, leading to a closer bond, though their future remained uncertain.
Final Thoughts
Lovely Runner masterfully blends time travel, romance, and the struggle to change one’s fate. The drama version offers a happy ending, but the webtoon delves deeper into the complexities of altering the past. The story highlights the lengths to which Im Sol goes to save her idol, showing the impact of her actions on both their lives. Personally, I found the webtoon’s ending more nuanced and emotionally resonant, providing a richer experience for fans. Which ending did you prefer?
