Lovely Runner has achieved tremendous success and continues to generate buzz even after its broadcast ends. It has set new records, including the highest pre-order sales for an original soundtrack, entered the Billboard Global 200 chart for the first time, and became a bestseller in script books. Despite achieving a peak viewership rating of only 5.8%, the drama consistently maintained its relevance in popularity surveys throughout its airing. For fans still enchanted by the show, here are some recommended youthful melodramas that echo the heartfelt essence of Lovely Runner.
Twinkling Watermelon
The tvN drama Twinkling Watermelon, a 16-episode series, aired from September 25 to November 14, 2023. It starred Ryeoun, Choi Hyun Wook, Seol In Ah, and Shin Eun Soo. The story revolves around a boy with a natural talent for music who unexpectedly finds himself transported to a mysterious space through a peculiar musical instrument shop. He forms a band with newfound friends there, unfolding a fantasy youth melodrama. Despite achieving viewer ratings in the 3% range, the drama remained consistently popular throughout its run due to its engaging storyline.
A Time Called You
A Time Called You, released as a Netflix original series on September 8, 2023, is a Korean remake of the highly successful Taiwanese drama Someday or One Day. The story revolves around the protagonist who longs for her boyfriend, who passed away a year ago, traveling back to 1998, where she encounters someone who looks exactly like him. This time-slip romance drama set a record for the highest viewing hours among Netflix original romance genre dramas in South Korea at its release.
Extraordinary You
Extraordinary You is a Wednesday-Thursday mini-series aired on MBC from October 2 to November 21, 2019. It is based on the webtoon July Found by Chance. Starring Kim Hye Yoon, Rowoon, Lee Jae Wook, and Lee Na Eun, the drama garnered consistent attention despite relatively low viewer ratings, attributed to its main audience being in the 10-20 age group. Rowoon won the MBC Rookie Actor Award, while Kim Hye Yoon received awards for Excellence in Acting and Best New Actress in the Wednesday-Thursday drama category.
Still 17
Still17 is a romantic comedy-drama aired on SBS from July 23 to September 18, 2018, as part of its Monday-Tuesday lineup. The series revolves around a woman who falls into a coma at seventeen and wakes up at thirty and a man who has lived disconnected from the world. Despite being relatively unknown then, the drama starred Shin Hye Sun, Yang Se Jong, and Ahn Hyo Seop. It gradually gained attention and acclaim as it aired, appealing to a diverse audience.
Cheer Up
Cheer Up was an SBS Monday-Tuesday drama from October 3 to December 13, 2022. Inspired by Yonsei University’s cheerleading squad and cheer culture, the drama starred Han Ji Hyun, Bae In Hyuk, Kim Hyun Jin, and Jang Gyu Ri. Although it did not garner much attention initially due to tough competition in the same time slot, the drama gained popularity through word of mouth. It became remembered for its popularity on OTT platforms. Mainly, clips from the drama achieved relatively high YouTube view counts.
At Eighteen
From July 22 to September 10, 2019, JTBC aired the youth melodrama At Eighteen. This sentimental series portrays the lives of vulnerable and immature eighteen-year-olds navigating the world’s complexities, often swept up in emotional turmoil even over trivial matters. The drama showcased outstanding performances by actors Ong Seong Wu, Kim Hyang Gi, Shin Seung Ho, and Kang Ki Young, with particular acclaim directed towards lead actor Ong Seong Wu.
20th Century Girl
20th Century Girl is an original Netflix film released on Netflix OTT. Starring Kim Yoo Jung, Byun Woo Seok, Park Jung Woo, and Rho Yoon Seo, the film marks the feature debut of director Bang Woo Ri, both directing and writing. Upon its release, the film ranked among the top 5 in overall Netflix viewing hours and reached 2nd place in rankings for non-English language films. Set in 1999, the romantic drama portrays the landscape of that time through the eyes of a 17-year-old girl.
Rookie Cops
The inaugural original Korean drama on Disney’s OTT platform, Disney+, was the youth melodrama Rookie Cops. Set against the backdrop of a police university, it portrays the challenges and romances of young individuals coming of age. The drama features Kang Daniel, Chae Soo Bin, Lee Shin Young, Park Yoo Na, Kim Woo Seok, and Min Do Hee in prominent roles. Released across multiple regions, including Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, via Disney+, the series garnered significant popularity. They achieved impressive box office results in five Southeast Asian countries, securing top rankings.
Record of Youth
Record of Youth is a tvN drama that aired from September 7 to October 27, 2020. It marked actor Park Bo Gum’s final project before his military enlistment and premiered during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starring Park Bo Gum, Park So Dam, and Byun Woo Seok, the series follows the journey of young individuals in Hannam-dong who courageously pursue their dreams of becoming an actor and a makeup artist. During its broadcast, Record of Youth garnered significant attention, achieving double-digit ratings in the metropolitan area and making headlines.
Our Beloved Summer
Our Beloved Summer is an SBS drama starring Choi Woo Shik, Kim Da Mi, Kim Sung Cheol, and Roh Jung Eui. It aired from December 6, 2021, to January 25, 2022. The series tells a romantic story about reuniting with a relationship that should have ended a decade ago. While the highest viewer rating during its run hovered in the 5% range, it is remembered online for resonating with many viewers. The drama was crafted to naturally evoke nostalgic feelings of youthful love stories experienced by the generation of the 2030s.
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