Run On
런 온
JTBC (2020-21) 16 Episodes
Romantic Comedy, Grade: B+
Korean Drama Review by Winnie, USA
(No End Spoilers)
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I started watching this lightweight romantic comedy, Run On (2020-21), for the two main leads, Im Si Wan (Misaeng) and Shin Se Kyung (When A Man Loves), but I have to admit the couple that charmed me more halfway through till the end was the secondary lead couple, played by Girls' Generation Sooyoung (My Blooming Days) and Kang Tae Oh (Extraordinary Attorney Woo). They just seemed to fit together better as a couple, while the main couple felt a little forced to me. The second lead couple's screen chemistry together was more compelling than the first lead couple's (although theirs was nice, too, just not as "Wow"). That phenomena doesn't happen too often in Korean dramas so I kept watching out of curiosity, to see how it would all turn out for both couples. As I read fan reviews online I could clearly see that many fans felt just like I did: I wanted to see more of the second lead couple!
The drama was written by newbie screenwriter Park Si Hyun, and for a first timer she did really well, and it was directed by Lee Jae Hoon and Kim Sang Ho. It lasted sixteen episodes, which was odd because it was filmed during the worldwide COVID epidemic and most Korean dramas back then were cut down to twelve episodes or even lower for safety reasons. I do think with some judicial editing this rom com could have been cut down to twelve episodes and been just as memorable for the audience.
First Couple
Second Couple
The Story:
Seon Gyeom (Im Si Wan) is a runner on the National Track and Field Team. He is a strong runner who has consistently scored second place in most races. Heading into retirement as a sprinter his goal is to finally take first place, but a bullying episode with a troublesome mentor leads him to put his career on hold for principle. Some would argue he is able to do this as he grew up with privilege, into a rich family, a politician Dad and a famous actress Mom, plus an older sister who is a pro-golfer, but he suffers intense criticism and malice for his action from both his family and from the sports world. Seon Gyeom grew up a latch key kid who did not get much social interaction, whose family was all about expectations and less about caring and love and compassion. His older sister is his only ally against his Dad's unreasonable expectations.
Oh Mi Joo (Shin Se Kyung) was an orphan who worked hard for every opportunity she ever had. She is an interpreter and subtitle translator for films and takes great pride in high quality subtitles to the extent she will watch each movie multiple times to get the dialogue in them just right. She crosses paths with Seon Gyeom when she is hired to interpret for him as he attends several key sporting functions with foreigners that could benefit his Dad's political career. The Dad hired her thinking that, since she came from such modest means, she would be easy to manipulate, but what he did not count on was Mi Joo's pride in her work and her high ethical standards. As the two get to know each other they discover they are more alike than different, and romance sprouts: love may change both their lives for the better!
Meanwhile we also meet handsome Lee Yeong Hwa (Kang Tae Oh) who is a young artist displaying his attractive art works in a local coffee shop where he happens to meet a female Chaebol CEO, Seo Danah (Sooyoung) while she grabs her daily coffee. She grew up in a severe family environment, as her mother died early, and her Dad had multiple relationships, resulting in half and illegitimate siblings. Competition for an inheritance is fierce in the household, so the siblings do not develop loving relationships among themselves or with their Dad. As a result Danah is sarcastic, rude and has no social filter - she pushes most people away from her emotionally.
Danah had a past close relationship with athlete Seon Gyeom when she managed his sports career and they even appeared on each other's blind date lists, as they both come from wealthy and elite backgrounds. The lively and engaging artist Yeong Hwa is able to crack through the frozen exteriors of both elites and befriends one and romances the other. Yeong Hwa and his infallible good humor and persistence may be the only one able to break through Danah's icy exterior. He may actually succeed to get her to love the same movies he likes and the artwork he produces. A miracle!
Run On was really good - it kept me interested the whole time but just a few minor things, like some typical cliches, kept it from being perfect. Definitely worth watching for the great acting, its insights on Korean national athleticism, and its focus on the world of subtitle writers. Its character development and chemistry between both lead couples was quite on point. Enjoy!
