The drama 'Lovely Runner,' starring Kim Hye Yoon, has had a bit of a slow start. Despite high expectations, the initial viewership hasn't quite hit the mark.

'Lovely Runner' is a tvN's Monday-Tuesday drama that tells the story of Im Sol (played by Kim Hye Yoon), a die-hard fan who is devastated by the death of her idol, Ryu Sunjae (played by Byun Woo Seok). In a twist of fate, she travels back to 2008 to save him.

Before the show aired, there was a lot of buzz around 'Lovely Runner.' This was largely due to the fact that Kim Hye Yoon and Byun Woo Seok were cast as the leads. Plus, it marked Kim Hye Yoon's return to the tvN Monday-Tuesday slot for the first time in over three years since 'Extraordinary You' and 'Secret Royal Inspector & Joy.'

However, the show didn't quite take off as expected. The first episode pulled in a viewership of 3.1%, and the second episode dipped slightly to 2.7%. These numbers are lower than the first week viewership of the previous drama 'Wedding Impossible,' which had ratings of 4.0% and 4.1% for its first and second episodes respectively.

But it's not all doom and gloom for 'Lovely Runner.' There's still hope for a comeback, especially with Kim Hye Yoon's standout performance as Im Sol. Her vibrant and lively portrayal could just be the ticket to drawing in more viewers.

Kim Hye Yoon has managed to break away from the somber mood of her previous drama 'Snowdrop'. In 'Lovely Runner,' she's back to her energetic self, reminiscent of her roles in 'Extraordinary You' and 'Secret Royal Inspector & Joy.' She's proving that she's more than just the girl from 'SKY Castle.'

In 'Lovely Runner,' Kim Hye Yoon's character, Im Sol, travels back to 2008 and relives her high school days. Her expressive and emotive performance adds a fresh vibe to the show. Her on-screen chemistry with Byun Woo Seok is also a highlight, as is her comedic timing, which is sure to bring a smile to viewers' faces.

Despite a slow start, Kim Hye Yoon is expected to turn things around. With her infectious energy and enthusiasm, she's set to bring a wave of excitement to the small screen.

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Hyun Bin is finally addressing the long-standing "ddongcha" (poop car) theory surrounding his character from My Name is Kim Sam-soon—and he's not holding back!

In an interview on the 19th with Star News, the beloved actor confessed, "I was wrong," responding to the reevaluation of his iconic role as Hyun Jin-heon from the 2005 hit drama. The "ddongcha" theory has been a subject of online debate for years, with many viewers critiquing Hyun Jin-heon’s character as overly arrogant and entitled.

Hyun Bin, who first rose to fame in My Name is Kim Sam-soon, took the time to reflect on the character that made him a household name. He shared, “I was just following the script; there were no personal opinions added to the character of Hyun Jin-heon. At that time, I knew Hyun Jin-heon was portrayed as a ‘bad boy,’ and the way it was expressed was different from today’s standards.”

With My Name is Kim Sam-soon now being re-released as part of Wavve's "New Classic" project, fans are revisiting the 2005 drama, and the character of Hyun Jin-heon is under fresh scrutiny. Director Kim Yun-cheol even admitted that the "prince on a white horse" and "bad boy" tropes that once worked in 2005 don’t quite match today's sensibilities, leading to edits in the 2024 version.

Hyun Bin humbly acknowledged his gratitude for his successful career and hit works, saying, "It’s wonderful and I am grateful to have so many hit works. I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing writers, directors, and actors. Thanks to them, I’ve received a lot of attention and love." He also shared a sense of humility, noting, “But I never know when that luck will come again."

Despite the dramatic shift in perspective on his character, Hyun Bin’s charm and dedication remain strong. Fans are eager to see him in his upcoming film Harbin (directed by Woo Min-ho), set to be released on the 24th.

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