#Im Sol

[weirdhunterangel]

Everyday is a struggle with Ryu Sun Jae because he is a simp. He was born to teach us what an absolute pleasure it is to watch a man simp so hard that he needs a moment to look away and compose himself so that his downbad smile is not on display.

Downbadism is an art and Byun Woo Seok acts like he did a four year degree on it. You go king.

Another thing that absolutely is adorable is that Im Sol is still not in love with Sun Jae. Everything she does is out of the love she has for a person who got her through a hard time, someone she has grown to care about but as an idol. Right now while she has begun to see Sun Jae as the kid who lives next door, it is still her idol that she wants to save. And that to me is pretty nice because she isn't trying to impose herself on him or his life for any other reason but to keep him safe. There is no ulterior motive. And I think thats what makes her so likeable.

Special mention to tae sung, he is adorable in a way that not all second leads are and all his scenes with his banter with Sol are extremely fun to watch. In another drama, they would make an absolutely cute pair. They make a cute pair here too ngl. Love how she treats him like a naughty child and he calls her grandma

[teashh]

I am so glad the new kdramas are bringing back the specific brand of loser men. You know which brand I'm talking about. The Ahn "min min" Minhyuk brand of loser men and I'm loving it. The "I worship this goddess and I'm so in love with her and I can't believe I get to love her. Oh my gods I love her so much" brand of loser men. And we're being fed so well with lovely runner, love next door, no gain no love, my demon, Cinderella at 2am, Hierarchy, Midnight Romance in Hagwon, doctor slump, Queen of tears, welcome to samdal-ri and even good partner (yes it's one sided but the dedication and yuri's couple too).

We need more fictional loser men who worship women to satiate our eldest independent daughter desires.

[zerobaseone]

Lovely Runner Ep. 4 ↳ He fell first, he fell harder

[storiesabound]

I love how this show portrayed how no act of kindness goes to waste. Im Sol had no real reason to show friendship to the random high-school dropout guy she had a crush on when she was 19. But she did. She convinced him to abandon his rackety lifestyle, dressed his wounds, urged him to consider a parent’s point of view which in turn acted as catalyst for the mending of his relationship with his father, encouraged him to graduate, and praised him wholeheartedly when he did so. All of which (the scolds and the compliments) added up to him finding his purpose and making a good life for himself.

Her sincere and unceasing kindness towards Kim Tae Song in all the timelines gained her not only a friend for life, but the said friend turned out to be the one who ultimately reversed her ill fortune. Saving not only her but the man she loves as well. Thereby securing them a happy future together.

[lastofthe20thcenturygirls]

makes so much sense that these dramatic bitches have been life-long friends

[sunlighthroughthe-ashes]

this was such a small moment; but so sweet and full of love that it transcended the screen.

in every timeline so far; sunjae's 'abeoji' has lost his son: has seen him depressed, guilt-ridden, and finally; irretrievably, dead. he must have felt so helpless — must have cried over sunjae's cold body: begged for a second chance for his son.

fate finally gave it to him: now sunjae's 'abeoji' gets to see him lit from within with happiness; together with the love of his life — embraced and welcomed by her family. touched by the tender hand of joy.

he doesn't know it, but seeing sunjae with sol has healed him of a hurt he didn't even know he had in the first place. all sunjae's 'abeoji' knows is that his son is smiling wider than he's ever seen him; lifted into the hands of bliss by pure, pure love. so he looks on fondly; his heart swelling with pride.

he accepts with easy grace: sunjae belongs to sol. and always will.

[geminithetwins]

Timeline 1: Sol doesn't know Sunjae knows her, still he remembers and loves her unconditionally

Timeline 2: Sol chases after Sunjae, he falls in love with her even harder

Timeline 3: Teenage Sol rejects SunJae, he waits for her 15 years, didn't waste a second when Adult Sol says she liked him too, confessing his feeling then and there.

Timeline 4: Sol keeps hiding from Sunjae, he finds out the reason and says he would die happily if means he could have memories with her.

Timeline 5: Sunjae forgets Sol's existence, but he fell in love the moment he sees her.

If they love you, they'll love you no matter what- flaws, traits, features, looks, races, classes, genders, or religions. SunJae is the living proof of that.

[luv-lines]

in every friend trio, there is this.

and this.

and i wouldn't have it any other way.

[mrinafria]

When you realize these two things.

Two things:

That scene in the finale which is bellissimo. PICTURE PERFECT. Because she is about to touch his hair/head and he bends down juuust enough because he craves her touch her affection her love really that much and also so that it's easier for her to reach him. Because even fitting into each other like puzzle pieces is not enough in that moment.

But then you also realize that she is reaching out to part his hair/bangs ever so slightly, almost absent-mindedly, because she is confirming he doesn't have a scar there, like he used to in the ALT 2023 timeline. He doesn't have it anymore. As if that's the last bit of evidence she needed for her own peace of mind, a silent verification, to make sure her Seon Jae is finally, really, safe. A proof that her prayer has been answered in the end.

Of course she knows. She's been there all along, after all. But after everything she--and they both--have been through, I don't think either of them can quite believe it in this moment. That this is it, it's over: she doesn't have to look for any impending doom coming his way, and he doesn't have to fear losing her to the most heartless adversary that is time.

I cannot gush enough on the writing of this show.

[guiltymepleasures]

Im Sol, as a character, is precious to me because she gives being a "fangirl" a refreshing take.

Her room is filled with merch (some even duplicate) and she knows the lyrics of their songs as well as the setlist of the concert. She watches interviews and already had her idol's profile etched in her brain. Like a typical fangirl.

She set up an online community/group chat for her idol and was even ready to fight haters when she heard them badmouthing him. Again, like a typical fangirl.

But when she got transported back in time, living daily life in close proximity to her favorite idol, she never once thought of trying to take advantage. She proudly declared herself as a fan, and when he seemed not to like it, asked if they could, at least, be friends so she can stay by his side. His confession flew over her head because she's drunk she probably thought it was a dream/fanservice (as we were shown she was remembering his life-size standee). When she heard the story of his first love, she was curious but not envious. All she wanted was to help him overcome whatever she thought pushed him to suicide.

She cared for him and his wellbeing because she was grateful to him for helping her find reason to live. And she wanted him to find meaning in his life too.

But she never thought of crossing the idol/fan line. She was even genuinely surprised how someone like Sun Jae (THE Ryu Sun Jae) would like someone like her.

Even in Ep 7, fully aware of Sun Jae's feelings for her and that the song about his first love was for her, she was content to let things as they were - her present self not a fan of his, them not meeting each other again - as long as he was alive and well.

And that makes me love her even more.

[jsvausvqbd]

I can’t shake off just how beautiful the confession scene was. Sun Jae, in the literal face of impending doom, learns not only when he’s going to die but why and although we see that he struggles to grasp the concept of dying, he finds a modicum of solace on Sol, and instead chooses to focus on her. Sun Jae understands that he died saving her/protecting her, and that this whole time she’s been there for him. She’s already seen him die and chose to literally travel in time to save him, what more proof of her love for him could he possibly ask for?

With this, he just says ‘don’t run away from me. Please just like me’ because truly that’s all he wants, Sol is all he’s ever wanted for himself and since now he knows that his feelings are reciprocated and that he’ll eventually die… why not just give in to their feelings while they can?

Sun Jae writing Sudden Shower for Sol and fulfilling his unspoken promises to her over and over again in every timeline is extremely beautiful and gutwrenching to see. Their dating college era may be ephemeral but I’m sure it’ll only make Sun Jae want to wait for Sol even more. All I’m hoping for is a good ending for these two who have gone through a lot for each other

[k-kay4]

'Lovely Runner' continues to live rent-free in my head <3

She showed him kindness.

Shielded him from the rain, thanked him for delivering her parcel, apologized for the trouble. Gave him her umbrella. Pressed candy into his palm. Her presence a bright, warm ray of sunshine amidst the rain he so loathed.

One small act of kindness. That forever changed him.

He saved her life.

Risked everything for her. Loved her with every fiber of his being. A love so pure. Selfless. Enduring.

……………………………………………….....................

He showed her kindness.

Reached out to her through the radio, through her blinding pain. Gently encouraged her to take one day at a time, one moment at a time. Reminded her about all those who loved her, cared for her. Helped her cope with the cruel hand life had dealt her. His words a soothing balm for her soul.

One small act of kindness. That forever changed her.

She saved his life.

Risked everything for him. Loved him with every fiber of her being. A love so pure. Selfless. Enduring.

What else could destiny do, but change itself in the face of such an extraordinary love?

[dosa-sambhar]

Shout out to losercore, pathetic boys in love has to be one of my favorite genders lol

[alchemyofsouls]

"I wanted to tell you if I ever got a chance to see you again. I liked you too." ~ Lovely Runner (선재 업고 튀어) 2024

[lastofthe20thcenturygirls]

a loser for a loser they're perfect for each other

[sunlighthroughthe-ashes]

this scene with sunjae and sol's halmeoni was so beautiful, it made me tear up.

i firmly believe she's the literal personification of fate in this story — the silent force that guided both sol and sunjae throughout their journey.

destiny herself put her warm hand on sunjae's heart and wished him well — blessed him with a long and happy life.

'live brightly,' her smile seems to say. 'let your love breathe freely now. you are safe.'

it's exactly the confirmation sunjae needs to let the last of his fear go: you can see his face crumple with sheer relief, the staggering realization that his life is his own now; forever linked to sol.

his tears of gratitude at the promise of a shimmering future; rich with possibility.

just gorgeous writing, all around. i'm in awe.