70% of “Lovely Runner” Success is Due to Kim Hye-yoon

Despite having only one episode left until the finale, “Lovely Runner” saw a surge in ratings for episode 15, which aired on May 27th. Nielsen Korea reported a nationwide household rating of 5.3% and a metropolitan area household rating of 6.2%, finally surpassing the “5% wall” . The drama has also maintained its top spot in popularity for four consecutive weeks, solidifying its dominance. Additionally, it has achieved international success, establishing itself as a leading Hallyu production. All of these accomplishments can be attributed to the talent of Kim Hye-yoon.

With utmost precision, Kim Hye-yoon captured the essence of Im Sol’s journey to 2008 in order to rescue her beloved Ryu Seon-jae (Byeon Woo-seok) from the very first episode. The screenplay, skillfully crafted by writer Lee Shi-eun, was tailor-made for Kim Hye-yoon, making her an impeccable choice for the role. She flawlessly portrayed Im Sol, completely embodying the character without any hint of awkwardness.

One of her most notable accomplishments was her ability to distinguish between the emotional development of Im Sol during her teenage, twenties, and thirties. As a teenager, Im Sol was known for her adorable and lively personality, earning her the nickname “vitamin girl”. In her twenties, she radiated youthful innocence with a touch of femininity, while in her thirties, she exuded a more mature beauty. Despite all having the same goal of saving her beloved, Im Sol’s methods of expressing and protecting her love differed, making each episode’s emotional moments resonate strongly with the audience.

Kim Hye-yoon’s rise to fame started with her role as Ye-seo in JTBC’s drama “SKY Castle”, after spending 7 years in minor roles. This breakthrough performance earned her the Best New Actress award in the TV category at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. In “Lovely Runner”, another school-based drama, Kim Hye-yoon once again showcased her talent by portraying a character who ages from her teenage years to her thirties due to the time-slip theme. She impressed viewers with her portrayal of the older version of her character, showcasing her emotional range and earning praise as “As expected, Kim Hye-yoon”.

At the press conference for “Lovely Runner,”director Yoon Jong-ho revealed that the role of Sol, who plays a crucial role in the beginning of the series, was specifically written with Kim Hye-yoon in mind. According to the writer, the project would not have come to fruition without her. Yoon praised Kim’s exceptional acting skills and charming personality.

Once more, Kim Hye-yoon has surpassed all expectations and solidified her reputation as a reliable actress for upcoming endeavors.