Run On (2020–2021) User Reviews

SECOND COUPLE SYNDROMEEEE

[Giselle1710 · 7/10 · 4 February 2021]

Have u ever finished a drama cz u LOVED THE SECOND COUPLE? Hell yes! This drama absolutely. The casting could have been better cz he didn't look like a college student. Ms Seo didn't look as old as they wanted to portray. She's literally my new lady crush. For some reason the lead couple's chemistry didn't appeal me. The lead actor's role was nicely developed and it was hilarious to see his reactions initially in the drama but he matured so much throughout the drama.

Episode 13 seemed best to me! That fight about Ms Seo's fake birthday was very nicely put. Each character boned with each other so nicely. Specially loved how a kdrama created a gay character.

Last episode had a dialogue like Happy ending are just fantasy and illusion created by Civilization. That's so true cz I was kind of hating how the almost didn't give the second couple happy ending. They kept the ending open. That's the best part.

Gentle laid back series

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 30 January 2021]

A runner takes down some bullies in the track team and gets disqualified so becomes a trainer instead. He falls for a subtitle writer / interpreter. Not a lot happens. There is a rather out of place opposition from his father which is strange since he isn't that big of a deal anyway. Her work on the film set is fairly interesting. This series is gentle and laid back. The characters are nice and level headed and hardly ever raise their voices and come across as being insipid at times. The story is the opposite of melodramatic to the point of being dull in parts. Sometimes they even show mundane things like doing laundry and grocery shopping. Shin Se Kyung is sweet and demure and speaks English well when she interprets. The funniest part is when she fought with a foreign director. Im Si Wan looks angelic and kind. The secondary couple an agent and an artist is a little unnecessary. And I don't get their problem. If you want a simpler laid back series then this is okay.

Second lead syndrome and..

[Giselle1710 · 7/10 · 4 February 2021]

So it started off nicely and then honestly actress portraying Dan Oh caught my eye. Loved her chemistry with the second lead actor but I thought she was very young and there u go..Typical korean flawless beauty! How can someone look so effortlessly beautiful at 30? Then I found out she was actually a member of girls generation, one of the most popular girl band in Korea whose name u hv probably heard of if u r into k pop! Is there really something that korean ppl can't do? Way to go versatility.

Stayed for the writing

[Jodie_ds · 9/10 · 21 April 2021]

The initial setup was fine, not particularly exciting, but the second leads had amazing chemistry, and I found myself fascinated by the gormlessness of Im Siwan in his character. I really just wanted everybody to have a good ending and live well. They had to bring in some of the stereotypical K Drama development situations, and I keep wondering why the lead always wore such baggy clothes, but all in all a sweet and compelling view.

Not your usual kdrama

[ninchenbienchen · 9/10 · 21 February 2021]

I really loved this show and it really should be watched by more people.

The plot isn't the main focus of this show but rather the growth of each and every one of the show's characters from beginning to end.

While it has few drama-usual elements such as the rich/political father being an absolute jerk to his family and only caring about his own success, the drama itself is anything but cliché, thanks to the majority of the characters and especially the leads and their journey of growth. The characters are going to surprise you more than once.

Another thing I loved is the fact that this show talks about important matters of life such as self-value, self-reflection, homosexuality, degradation and sexualization of females at their workplace, the social status of orphans and many more!

Also, I've never seen such a beautiful ending in terms of the final scene having all characters on screen one last time no matter how big or small their role was and yet have it fit into the show's storyline.

Despite everything good this show has given me, I was bored during two or three scenes (mostly the Candy movie scenes - you'll know when you watch it) and I'm a little disappointed they left loose ends. In the beginning of the show, Mijoo kept carrying a lighter that looks like a gun with her and at one point she literally had a panic attack because she thought she was being followed which made it seem like something had happened to her in her past. But it is never further explained, even though that gun does play an important role in the show's development and it is even mentioned in the final episode again. Another one of those loose ends is Seo Dannahs illness which is hinted at in the beginning as well. We never learn what illness she has or why her half-brother seems to have the same illness. And then her father suddenly dies even though he was playing golf a few episodes prior. Maybe he was ill too? But we'll never find out. Which is kind of sad because if you're gonna give those things screen time then at least explain why it happened at some point.

Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 6/10 · 19 February 2021]

Korean Drama "Run On" is a healing slow-paced drama with a realistic view when it came to the romantic relationships. However, the drama's story other than the romance was weak. They didn't really expand on it, the family drama was rushly resolved, the sports theme that was pretty interesting at first with the scandal, was lukewarm and the side characters were added here and there to provide coverage of the gaps between the love stories.

The drama also lost its charm in the final episodes, with some boring scenes and a pretty slow pace. The product placement in this one was also ridiculous, with actual scenes being created for the sole purpose of the placement. Another minus of this drama was the fact that, except for the leading lady, the other characters felt pretentious at times, like they were trying hard to fit in the description of their personalities.

Other than that, the drama had a nice atmosphere, with a slow tempo and some nice aesthetics. The female lead was an interesting character and the performances from everyone in the cast were pretty good. The love stories had a realistic aspect to them, as well, which was refreshing and unique.

So, overall, 6.5 out of 10.

Sweet and slow burning romance

[markapiec · 9/10 · 17 April 2021]

Another drama i kept avoiding because of the rather boring narrative but i was pleasantly surprised, Run on is a very sweet romance drama starring Siwan and Shin Se-kyung. Siwan portraying a national athlete Ki Seon-gyeom stands up to bullying and violent practices between athletes and for that he is suspended from the team. Shin Se-kyung as an interpreter Oh Mi-joo meets Seon-gyeom as she is hired to translate for him. If course, they fall for each other. There are number of things i would like to highlight on this drama. First the character of Ki Seon-gyeom, a perfect athlete, incredibly high sense for integrity and fair play, stands up and looks out for his younger fellows. Innocent and in a good way, dumb. Siwan's voice is incredibly sweet, its tone and cadence was very pleasant to listen to. Another thing worth mentioning was the love story of the supporting roles, Seo Dan-ah and Lee Young-hwa. I dare to say that the dynamic and chemistry between those 2 were stronger than betwen the main leads.. and finally, in this drama you wont need to watch the annoying bickering and ridiculous characters that are present in every single kdrama, in Run on they are all more less normal ;) Overall very sweet slow burning romance, very good performance by all actors.

Wasn't the best

[tia-66528 · 6/10 · 9 October 2021]

Start was good and funny, but as the episodes passed the show became more and more drawn out. Main lead couple had little to no chemistry and their relationship was extremely cringe and hard too watch. I didn't like the male leads acting his emotions and expressions were all off. Second lead couple was AMAZING THO, i loved both the actors who played them, were extremely engaging. Would recommend watching Run on just for the the second lead couple, but overall it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best.

This drama is go to who dont like rush and like slow yet refreshing story and acting

[barshabogati · 10/10 · 2 January 2021]

The drama only gets better after episodes. The characters are nest in their role. The male lead has a unique charm in his face and female lead is just all rounder and both of them can express so well. The supporting riles are on point too. This is not a rushing drama and made for one who loves to go slowly with the flow , with nothing extra and nothing less. Hope it continues like this in upcoming episodes.

Main Couple who?

[iihabibaii · 6/10 · 15 August 2021]

There's seriously no chemistry between the main couple. I had to skip all their scenes because I was dying from boredom.

The second couple tho. Seriously such captivating chemistry! I'd recommend this show just for the second couple.

Perfect K-Drama - Oozing with Great Script, Lovely Actors, and Realness

[peterr-41048 · 10/10 · 4 January 2021]

I am so in love with this show! I love the uniqueness of script, well written! Every time you watch an episode, you receive a heartfelt, sincere, warm, and romantic excitement as the story progresses. The chemistry between the 4 lead actors is overflowing, the OST's are wonderful. It's like a dreamy, lovely, relaxing, heart fluttering journey for us because the romance is there even without forcing it, they are charming. For me, it is a golden k-drama that is always worth rewatching.

Everything about this k-drama is perfect; the dialogues, the characters, the actors and the story! We can finally start 2021 with such a good drama! Watch it on Netflix now!

Bravo!

A Progressive Spin on Classic Romance KDrama

[nishera · 7/10 · 4 February 2021]

I would rate this show 7.5 stars, but deducted 1/2 star for difficulty of immersion. It took me 4+ episodes to get into the groove of the story, but once I got a feel for it, it was pretty good (though there are plenty of other Netflix KDramas which I personally found more appealing /enjoyable).

As an English speaker, the biggest barrier for me was actually the script. The plot itself was simple enough to understand, but the dialogue was a different matter. I got the impression that the wording was probably quite complex and clever in Korean, with lots of subtlety and nuance. However, as often happens with foreign films, the subtext which gives deeper meaning to the actual words was largely lost in translation. On top that, there were (ironically) also many places where the subtitle wording, despite being technically accurate, felt stiff or awkward (IMO). I kept having to pause to make sure I had read them correctly.

Aside from language issues, this film also features some characters with atypical personalities/backstories. For viewers who are already struggling to keep up, this adds yet another layer of complexity to the viewing experience, since the attitudes /reactions of the main cast often fall outside the norm (at least initially), and are that much harder to understand. Taken together, these issues could make it difficult to engage with the characters and leave viewers feeling like they are missing something.

However, if you are willing to persist, things do gradually become clearer, and there is a fair bit that is fresh /unusual about this film. The story has a lot going on besides the central romance(s), and delves into many social issues, including bullying, family abuse, and misogyny, and is sprinkled with plentiful acknowledgment of the gay community. If these are meaningful subjects to you and you don't mind having to read between the lines a fair bit, then this film may be perfect for you.

ROMANCE RATING: * * * 6/10. While YSW & SSK did have a certain level of chemistry, it seemed more like a cozy blanket than a raging fire, and lacked any sort of sexual tension. Personally I also might have wished for a bit more passion in the 3+ kiss scenes, but if you go for sweet and innocent rather than deep and intense, this should be just your cup of tea.

Run on a lot of episodes

[lmerana · 4/10 · 15 July 2021]

I did not like this kdrama because of it's slow paced. I also don't know why I don't like the lead actor. It's just that every time I look at him or hear him, I feel like he is about to sleep. This type of character appears to be boring. So when I watched it I really feel bored. I only watched upto 7 episodes and I thought it is already 14. So I jumped to the last 3 episodes but still wasn't able to watch the whole thing. Finally I watched the ending and to be honest I cannot remember it anymore.

Must watch, really

[nikareviews · 10/10 · 10 February 2021]

I'm really not a huge fan of stereotypical korean romance dramas cause I find them kinda corny and shallow but this drama is a masterpiece. From the acting to the story line and the individual characters there's nothing I can complain about. It's so refreshing to see healthy non-toxic relationships portrayed in a drama, they're mature, realistic and makes you feel like you're watching something genuine. All of the characters even the supporting cast are so complex and interesting and they each have their own uniqueness. This is truly one of my all time favorite dramas I laughed and cried so much, I hope everyone gives it a watch!

It is a CHARMING drama, which will surely captivate you, if you just give it a chance.

[yurichell · 10/10 · 26 January 2021]

Wonderful actors, characters, cinematography, OST, dialogues, and very well-written in it's own way. I can say that the people who will be attracted to this drama are both smart and kindhearted people who see the beauty in the simplicity of every thing. Run On is simple. Relaxing, calming, and some even say this is a healing drama. I can say that every character here is adorable, from the main leads to the smallest role, even the villain, not really very annoying, but you can even laugh. So I think, if you like them all and you enjoy this drama, you will definitely not stray from being an adorable person. You are also adorable in your own way. Because as the saying goes, we are attracted to people like us. It's not always 'opposite attracts'. My suggestion, watch the first episode, and when you like it, you will definitely like it until the last episode. Because it only gets better after each episodes. But if you don't like it, but you still want to give yourself a chance because you are the type of viewer who will like the show in 3-4 episodes, do it. And if you still don't like it, drop it. This is not for you. It's not boring or bad drama as some say, because the truth is that it's not just for everyone, just like any other dramas.

Mind your English!

[refordgarry · 6/10 · 15 April 2021]

Nice boy-meets-girl K-Netflix romance drama with OK subtitles. The plot centers on rich boy meeting working girl, corruption at the top of Korean society, and a exposé of fictional institutional bullying in the Korean male athletics team, an issue that becomes hero, Ki Seon Gyeom's mission. Ki Seon's girlfriend, film translator, Oh Mi Joo, another very sweet but bratty Korean girl (why are they all so bratty!?), eager to progress with integrity in an unfair male world. For English-speaking listeners it's obvious Mi Joo struggles when trying to speak authentic English, so not the best casting as an interpreter. But it's just a story, - right? - and an entertaining break for those wanting pure romance.

Run on

[sherylnobleza · 10/10 · 25 January 2021]

I really really love this drama....the cast were so into their role ..their lines were so amazing...i love the chemistry of the two couple. wannna support them till the end..fighting gyeonmi and danhwa couple

Good but boring

[blebbe · 6/10 · 5 October 2021]

Interesting at first, but became very boring as the episodes went on.

Great show

[karinabarreta · 10/10 · 25 December 2020]

I'm in love with this show, the characters are mature, direct and sincere, the show escapes the cliché stories that are already tiring.

Family romantic drama!

[taishor · 7/10 · 21 August 2022]

Easygoing, romantic, drama, no major obstacles for romance, people from different social status, family, breaking with family, romance starts early, loneliness, unemployment, parents against relationships, characters dont know how to behave with lower than them social status, art, painting.

asks necessary questions to a few strange norms of Korean society

[jeanne0804 · 10/10 · 29 December 2020]

Therefore, I personally find it excellent. Also, the characters seem refreshing and unique; described that way too. Not to criticize the translator, but I wish the writer's wit in the original lines were easier to deliver in different languages.

Could Have Been Much Better

[fredintoronto · 6/10 · 3 August 2022]

This is a hard review to write because I don't want to disuss plot points and give spoilers. I liked all of the top 10 or 12 characters and actors portraying them. Possibly too many storylines to flesh all of them out adequately. I want to rate this movie an 8 but the various romances were each too tepid to rise about a 6. Maybe Covid precautions had something to do with the lack of kissing and heat?

Main couple has no chemistry

[Aliceinhll · 4/10 · 29 May 2021]

The story is fresh,not like usual dramas. We don't see cliches but main couple has no chemistry and honestly I find main lead so unrealistic. I didnt like the character,however second couple is good. Especially Choi Soo-young's character,I loved it.

Finally a feminist KDrama!! So refreshing and sweet!

[hanalisss · 10/10 · 7 February 2021]

This drama has taken me by surprise in a very positive way. I love how this show reflects on so many different social issues that I guess they are still a big taboo in South Korea. The characters of this show are very well written and have so many layers, I am also very pleased to watch such strong feminist female characters in a Kdrama, very refreshing and unexpected because it's very rare to find. The story is sweet, lighthearted and emotional but powerful enough to keep you hooked until the end. I enjoyed it a lot, very much recommended.

Watch it!

[thehopefully · 9/10 · 28 February 2021]

By far one of the best series I have ever seen. And I don't exaggerate. And for a start, it has a happy ending for everyone. I highly recommend watching this drama!

Run On portraits real emotions and everyday struggles when it comes to being in a relationship and how to manage yourself in the working life. In real life we ask ourselves 'is this the one?' and 'am I good enough?', these exact questions are being asked by the characters. Obviously, you as a viewer already know the answer. Screaming 'yes' at your screen won't help because the producers want you to understand their past and see their journey to self-love. And let's face it, answering those questions in real life isn't easy either.

One drama, two storylines. THIS MAY COINTAIN SOME SPOILERS! 1. Ki Seon-Gyeom is a national running team athlete. He is used by his wealthy father, a well-known politician, to help him achieve popularity and strong social status. Be careful though, you really want to throw hands with the father. Instead, punch a pillow and not your screen. Then we have Oh Mi-Joo, an English and Korean translator. She is asked to be the translator for Seon-Gyeom.

Trapped in his own world full of abuse by his father, Ki Seon-Gyeom manages to free himself from his father, and to transform himself into a lovely person capable of showing real emotions. This is all because of Mi-Joo. A relationship seems inevitable. However, due to their pasts and Seon-Gyeom's family, they both need time to understand each other and work on their own struggles before they can fully accept each other.

2. Seo Dan-A, the CEO of a sports agency, comes across as an emotionless person. She likes to do it her way. But this doesn't stop Lee-Yeong-Hwa, an art student, from falling in love with her.

Her curiosity about one of Yeong-Hwa's painting leads to a rollercoaster ride of mixed feeling. And in the end, she is !finally! able to accept her love for him.