Lovely Runner is gearing up for a major resurgence after officially joining Netflix Korea nearly two years after its original broadcast ended. The move is already fueling expectations that the beloved drama could spark a whole new wave of popularity both domestically and internationally.
According to Netflix Korea, Lovely Runner will be added to the platform on June 1. The drama originally premiered on tvN on April 8, 2024, and concluded on May 28 after airing 16 episodes. Its finale recorded an average nationwide rating of 5.8% with peak ratings reaching 6.9%.
However, despite not seeing explosive ratings during its initial run, the series ultimately became one of the biggest cultural phenomena of its year thanks to overwhelming fan engagement and viral online buzz.
The “Sunjae syndrome” was bigger than the ratings
Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon led this emotionally charged love story, which followed passionate fan Im Sol as he traveled back in time to save star Ryu Sunjae.
Although the drama initially appeared to be a classic teenage romance story mixed with fantasy elements, viewers quickly realized that the series focused much more deeply on emotional storytelling.
As the episodes progressed, the audience became heavily invested in the layered relationship between Im Sol and Ryu Sunjae. Themes involving first love, regret, healing, sacrifice, and fate resonated strongly with viewers, creating what fans later called the “Sunjae syndrome”.
The show started with ratings in the low 2% range, but word-of-mouth popularity quickly exploded online. Viral clips, emotional scenes, and fan edits continued to circulate on social media long after the finale aired.
Because of this passionate fandom culture, many believe that Netflix could introduce the drama to a whole new global audience and potentially spark a second wave of popularity. Existing fans are already gearing up for rewatch marathons, while new viewers who missed the original broadcast are expected to discover the series for the first time.
Elements of a family story enhanced by strong writing
At first glance, Lovely Runner didn’t seem like a guaranteed success.
The combination of school romance, celebrity narratives, and temporal fantasy had appeared repeatedly before in Korean dramas. Additionally, although Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon were respected for their talent, neither actor was initially considered a “guaranteed rating card” at the time.
What ultimately distinguished the drama from similar productions was its emotionally rich “mutual salvation” plot.
Instead of presenting Im Sol simply as a fan who sacrifices herself for her idol, the series gradually revealed how both characters became an emotional lifeline for each other. This two-way emotional rescue structure significantly deepened audience immersion.
The nostalgic atmosphere also played an important role in the success of the drama. Incorporating the aesthetics, music, style, and sentimental elements of late 2000s youth romance, the show triggered strong feelings of nostalgia among viewers.
Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon have become the highlight of the drama
Much of the drama’s explosive popularity is attributed to the chemistry between Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon.
Through the character of Ryu Sunjae, Byeon Woo Seok established what many fans now consider his defining role in his career. He successfully portrayed the character’s multiple emotional phases across different timelines, balancing youthful innocence, romantic longing, and emotional emptiness with impressive detail.
As a result, many viewers began to strongly associate the actor directly with the character himself.
Meanwhile, Kim Hye Yoon has transformed Im Sol into much more than a typical devoted fan character. Its depiction of desperation, emotional pain, and unwavering affection has become one of the emotional cores behind the series’ success.
The chemistry between the two ultimately became one of the main reasons why fans repeatedly rewatched the drama after its conclusion.
Netflix’s release comes at the perfect time
Renewed attention towards Lovely Runner is also coming as both lead actors continue to gain momentum in their careers.
Byeon Woo Seok currently stars in the MBC drama The Crown Princess of the 21st Century, which has maintained strong ratings since its premiere.
Meanwhile, Kim Hye Yoon recently found box office success with the horror film Salmokji, which surpassed 2.6 million viewers and entered the Korean horror film charts.
Due to the actors’ growing popularity, many industry observers believe that the Netflix release could help Lovely Runner reach an even larger international fan base than its original television broadcast.
Ultimately, Lovely Runner has already proven itself to be a drama whose influence has extended far beyond ratings alone. Now, with Netflix providing a massive new global platform, fans are wondering if the legendary “Sunjae Syndrome” could soon return once again.
Sources: Daum | Television reportage
