LIST: K-dramas, films to watch if you're a fan of 'Lovely Runner' stars Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon
South Korean actors Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok are currently making buzz on social media because of their remarkable chemistry in tvN's hit rom-com series Lovely Runner.
The series follows the story of Ryu Seon-Jae (Byeon Woo-Seok), a top star who has garnered significant attention since his debut. Although he appears to have the ideal life, working in the entertainment business has worn him down.
Lim Sol (Kim Hye-Yoon), meanwhile, is a huge fan of Ryu Sun Jae. She suffered an accident when she was a child and eventually gave up on her dream of becoming a film director when she was paralyzed due to the accident. However, Ryu Seon-Jae's song on the radio consoled her, and she has since grown to love him.
Lim Sol discovers shocking news one day that Ryu Seon-Jae died in a tragic accident. By some miracle, she managed to go back fifteen years in the past, before both her and Sun-jae's accidents. In that lifetime, the two meet and form a friendship together.
While the show started at a 3 percent viewership rating for its first episode, Nielsen Korea's data revealed the drama gained significant traction, reaching 4.8 percent by episode 14.
Its lead stars have also "maintained their positions at the top of the actor buzz rankings for three consecutive weeks," said Korea Times.
Even before starring together in the hit show Lovely Runner, Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon have already impressed audiences with their captivating performances in various Korean dramas and films. So, if you're a fan of either actor and enjoy their chemistry in Lovely Runner's time-travel romance, be sure to check out their previous works!
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency (2019)
Before rising to stardom on Lovely Runner, Byeon Woo-seok stole the hearts of K-drama fans in his role as a member of Flower Crew in the 2019 historical rom-com Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, alongside Kim Min-jae and Park Ji-hoon.
He portrays the role of Do Joon, an information broker in the agency who learns every rumor in their city by using his handsome looks to collect information from girls in Hanyang.
Record of Youth (2020)
Woo-seok also stars in the youth-oriented Netflix series Record of Youth with Park Bo-gum and Park So-dam. Here, he plays the role of Won Hae-hyo, a model-turned-actor born from a rich family and a good friend of Hye-Jun (Park Bo-gum).
Moonshine (2022)
In Moonshine, Woo-seok takes on the role of the mischievous crown prince Lee Pyo. The series, set during a time of alcohol prohibition in Joseon, tells the story of four young people navigating love, friendship, and ambition. Woo-seok shares the screen with Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Hye-ri, and Kang Mi-na.
20th Century Girl (2022)
Love another time travel romance series with Woo-Seok? This one is for you!
20th Century Girl is a South Korean coming-of-age romance film about the friendship and ill-fated love story between two high schoolers in 1999.
Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023)
Curious what Woo-seok is like as the main antagonist? Watch Strong Girl Nam-soon, a spin-off, to the 2017 Strong Girl Bong-soon series.
He plays Ryu Shi-oh, the CEO of the distribution and sales company Doogo, which was entangled in a drug-related case.
Sky Castle (2018)
Hye-yoon rose to fame as Kang Ye-seo in JTBC's satire drama Sky Castle. Her character is the eldest daughter of Yum Jung-ah. She is studious and determined and often aces her exams as she dreams of entering Seoul National University's medical faculty and becoming a third-generation doctor. However, she is also known in the series as an ambitious, unfriendly, and ladylike high school girl.
She won the Best New Actress award in the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards for her role in this series.
Extraordinary You (2019)
Hye-yoon stars as the protagonist in MBC's school fantasy drama Extraordinary You with South Korean actor and singer Rowoon and Lee Jae-wook. The series follows the story of Eun Dan-oh (Hye-yoon), who discovers that her world is based on the fantasy comic, Secret. Eventually, she decides to change her fate and find her own true love.
Snowdrop (2021)
In the historical drama Snowdrop, Hye-yoon plays the role of Gye Boon-Ok, a student who gave up entering university due to her poor family background. However, with her desire to at least enter school, she works as a telephone operator at a women's dormitory and attends a blind date with her friend Eun Young-Ro (BLACKPINK's Jisoo).
Secret Royal Inspector & Joy (2021)
While Kim Hye-yoon is known for her charming high school student roles, she showcased her versatility with a more mature character in the drama Secret Royal Inspector & Joy.
She plays Kim Joy, a "realist woman who is full of desire and passion, and believes that divorce can happen to anyone." 2PM's OK Taecyeon, is also in the series as secret royal inspector Ra Ian.