Lovely Runner Episode 3: The Heartbreaking First Kiss That Left Fans in Tears

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Lovely Runner Episode 3

Lovely Runner has become one of the most talked-about Korean dramas of 2024, capturing hearts with its unique blend of time travel, romance, and heartbreaking destiny. Episode 3, which aired last year, marked a significant turning point in the relationship between Ryu Sun-jae (played by Byeon Woo-seok) and Im Sol (played by Kim Hye-yoon). Let's dive deep into this pivotal episode that left viewers both swooning and devastated.

The episode begins with Sun-jae saving Sol from a potential traffic accident. During their conversation afterward, Sol reveals that she had been in a car accident 15 years ago but can't remember the details of how it happened or how painful it was. This moment establishes the deep connection between their past and future, setting up the emotional stakes for what's to come.

Sun-jae's Determination to Change Fate

One of the most compelling aspects of episode 3 is Sun-jae's determination to prove that fate can be changed. After apologizing to Sol for misunderstanding the swimsuit incident, he confidently declares that he'll win a medal at the upcoming swimming competition and do the opposite of what Sol knows will happen in the future. His words, "Trust me once," carry significant weight as he attempts to defy destiny.

The swimming competition scene is particularly powerful, as Sun-jae successfully wins a gold medal, seemingly altering the timeline that Sol knows. This victory momentarily gives both characters hope that perhaps the future isn't set in stone after all. The joy on Sol's face as she watches Sun-jae succeed is beautifully portrayed by Kim Hye-yoon, showing her character's growing attachment to him beyond just being a fan.

Failed Confession Attempts

The episode takes a delightfully awkward turn as Sun-jae repeatedly tries to confess his feelings to Sol throughout their day together. Each attempt is thwarted by comical timing issues or misunderstandings, showcasing the drama's skillful balance of humor and romance.

First, Sol suggests they eat samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) for lunch to help Sun-jae recover from his swimming efforts, derailing his plans for a fancy confession at a nice restaurant. Later, when he finally works up the courage again, Sol interrupts by asking for 500 won to take photo booth pictures together. The third attempt outside her home fails when Sun-jae's line "I don't want to be your fan anymore" is misinterpreted by Sol, who cheerfully suggests they be friends instead.

These failed confession scenes highlight the chemistry between Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon, with viewers praising how naturally they portray the awkward dance of young love. The timing of these scenes perfectly captures the essence of youthful romance - earnest, clumsy, and utterly endearing.

The Devastating Shoulder Injury

The episode takes a darker turn when Sun-jae learns that his shoulder injury is more serious than anticipated. Despite his victory at the competition, doctors inform him that he needs surgery and will likely have to retire from swimming altogether. This devastating news crushes Sun-jae, who has dedicated his entire life to the sport.

The scene where Sun-jae tells his father he's quitting swimming is particularly powerful. His father, who had arranged a celebration party for Sun-jae's victory, cannot understand his son's sudden decision. Their argument leads to Sun-jae running out of the house, where he encounters Sol.

For Sol, this moment is a painful realization that perhaps some aspects of fate cannot be changed. Despite her efforts to alter the timeline, Sun-jae's swimming career still ends prematurely, just in a different way than she remembered. This development adds complexity to the time travel narrative, suggesting that destiny might find a way to reassert itself despite interventions.

A Glimmer of Hope

Just when Sol is about to give up on changing the future, she remembers that on this particular day in the past, there was a fire at her home. Racing back from school with the help of Kim Tae-sung (played by Song Geon-hee), she manages to arrive in time to prevent the fire from causing serious damage.

This success renews Sol's determination to save Sun-jae. The fact that she was able to prevent her mother from getting burned in the fire proves that some aspects of the future can indeed be changed. This realization gives her the strength to continue her mission to save Sun-jae from his eventual death.

The Drunken Confession and First Kiss

The most memorable scene of episode 3 comes when Sol accidentally gets drunk after drinking what she thought was regular omija tea given to her by Sun-jae's father (but was actually alcoholic). In her intoxicated state, she finds Sun-jae at the school swimming pool, where he's contemplating his future after receiving the devastating news about his shoulder.

What follows is a beautifully tender moment between the two characters. They listen to music together on Sol's MP3 player, with Kim Hyung-jung's "I Guess So" playing as they share earbuds. When Sol falls asleep on Sun-jae's shoulder, he comments that at least one of his shoulders is still good.

The scene escalates when Sol wakes up suddenly, mistaking Sun-jae for her life-size standee of him. In this moment of confusion, she touches his face in wonder, creating the perfect opportunity for Sun-jae to finally confess: "I like you. I'm saying I like you."

Sol's response is equally touching: "Keep smiling like this. I'll stay by your side. So you won't be lonely when things are hard, so you won't have scary thoughts... I'll be there for you forever, so live a long, long time."

This exchange culminates in their first kiss - a sweet, innocent pressing of lips that perfectly captures the purity of their feelings. Fans particularly praised this kiss scene for its authenticity and tenderness, noting how refreshing it was to see such a wholesome first kiss in a drama landscape often filled with more dramatic kiss scenes.

The Heartbreaking Time Slip

Just when viewers are basking in the glow of this romantic development, the episode delivers its most devastating twist. The next morning, Sol can't remember what happened due to her intoxication. She tries to piece together the events by listening to her MP3 player, which had accidentally recorded the previous night's conversation including Sun-jae's confession.

However, before she can hear the confession part of the recording, she encounters Tae-sung, who suddenly confesses his feelings to her. At this exact moment, Sol is abruptly pulled back to 2024, leaving behind the 19-year-old Sol of 2008 who had always had a crush on Tae-sung.

The episode ends with a split-screen showing the 19-year-old Sol happily accepting Tae-sung's confession while Sun-jae watches in shock, juxtaposed with the 34-year-old Sol back in 2024, finding herself once again unable to walk and facing the reality that Sun-jae is still dead in her timeline.

This ending left viewers heartbroken and desperate for the next episode, creating an emotional cliffhanger that perfectly showcases the drama's ability to blend romance with tragedy.

Viewer Reactions and Ratings

Episode 3 of Lovely Runner marked a turning point not just for the characters but also for the show's popularity. According to Nielsen Korea, the episode recorded a nationwide average viewership rating of 3.4%, with a peak of 4.1%. While these numbers might seem modest, they represented growth from previous episodes and indicated the beginning of the show's steady climb in popularity.

What's particularly interesting about Lovely Runner is the disparity between its traditional ratings and its cultural impact. Despite never breaking out of the 3-4% range in its early episodes, the show dominated online discussions, social media, and various community platforms. It quickly developed a passionate fanbase that referred to themselves as "Seonjinja" (those crazy about Lovely Runner).

Online communities were flooded with reactions to episode 3, particularly the confession and kiss scene. Viewers praised the chemistry between Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon, with many commenting that their connection felt so natural it was hard to believe they weren't dating in real life. This perception was later confirmed by the drama's cinematographers, who revealed in interviews that the two actors had exceptional chemistry on set, to the point where crew members wondered if there might be something real between them.

Cultural Impact and Nostalgia Factor

Beyond the romance and time travel elements, episode 3 continued to showcase the drama's skillful use of 2000s nostalgia. References to Cyworld, MP3 players, and the music of that era resonated strongly with viewers in their 30s and 40s who grew up during that time.

The episode's use of Kim Hyung-jung's "I Guess So" as background music for the confession scene was particularly effective, adding an extra layer of emotional resonance for Korean viewers familiar with the song. Similarly, the photo booth scene captured the innocent dating culture of the late 2000s, before smartphones made selfies the norm.

These nostalgic elements, combined with the universal themes of first love and the desire to change fate, helped Lovely Runner transcend its initial niche appeal to become a cultural phenomenon. By episode 3, international viewers were also beginning to discover the show, with reaction videos and discussion threads appearing across various platforms.

Why Episode 3 Was a Turning Point

Looking back at Lovely Runner's journey, episode 3 stands as a critical turning point that cemented the show's appeal and set up the emotional stakes for the rest of the series. The combination of Sun-jae's shoulder injury (showing that some aspects of fate resist change), Sol's successful prevention of the house fire (proving that some things can be altered), and the bittersweet first kiss followed by the cruel time slip created a perfect emotional storm that hooked viewers completely.

The episode also established the central question that would drive the rest of the series: Is it possible to completely change someone's destiny, or will fate always find a way to reassert itself? This philosophical underpinning gave the romance story additional depth and weight, elevating it beyond a simple love story.

For many fans, episode 3 was the moment they became fully invested in Sun-jae and Sol's journey, creating an emotional attachment that would carry through the rest of the series and beyond. The episode's perfect balance of heartwarming moments and heartbreaking twists exemplifies why Lovely Runner became such a beloved drama despite its modest traditional ratings.

Legacy and Continued Popularity

Now in 2025, looking back at Lovely Runner and specifically episode 3, it's clear that this was a pivotal moment in what would become one of the most beloved K-dramas of recent years. The show's popularity has continued to grow through streaming platforms, with new international viewers discovering it long after its original broadcast.

Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon's careers have flourished since Lovely Runner, with both actors citing the drama and particularly the emotional scenes in episode 3 as turning points in their professional lives. Their portrayal of Sun-jae and Sol's innocent yet profound connection continues to be referenced as a gold standard for on-screen chemistry in K-dramas.

Episode 3 of Lovely Runner remains a masterclass in emotional storytelling, demonstrating how effective the combination of well-developed characters, nostalgic setting, and high-stakes emotional conflicts can be. The episode's perfect balance of sweetness and heartbreak continues to resonate with viewers, making it a standout not just within the series but in the broader landscape of romantic K-dramas.