The Reign of ‘Loverly Runner’ Continues
Who says the end of a series has to mean the end of its hype?
tvN’s ‘Loverly Runner’, a time-travel romance that wrapped up months ago, just took home the September crown at the Netizen Drama Awards—again. With a massive 18,459 votes (65.1%), the show has now dominated the top spot for four straight months. That’s not just a win; it’s a statement.
Though it’s no longer airing, the drama clearly struck a chord. Fans aren’t ready to move on, turning this K-drama into a modern classic and cultural benchmark.
Strong Challengers: From Motel Mystique to Mother’s Crush
MBC’s ‘Motel California’ came in second with 3,906 votes (13.8%). The show’s unique visuals and moody tone have helped maintain a loyal fanbase, making it the artsy underdog in the race.
Meanwhile, ‘Mom’s Friend’s Son’ (tvN) pulled ahead as the third-place contender with 3,275 votes (11.6%). With its relatable themes and quirky humor, it’s proving to be one of the freshest new players on the scene.
Rookies & Streamers Making Waves
Streaming also brought heat: Disney+’s ‘Hyper Knife’ claimed the fourth spot with 1,345 votes (4.7%), showing the staying power of global platforms and their international fan pull.
- 5th: U+MobileTV’s ‘Fair Play Game’ – 379 votes (1.3%)
- 6th: Channel A’s ‘Check-In Hanyang’ – 296 votes (1.0%)
- 7th: JTBC’s new entry ‘Esquire’ – 273 votes (1.0%)
- 8th: tvN’s ‘Chef of the Tyrant’ – 191 votes (0.7%)
These newcomers are widening the genre field, signaling a bold shift in storytelling and viewership preferences on both traditional and digital networks.
Bottom Ranks, But Big Heart
Even lower-ranked dramas like SBS’s ‘Our Movie’ (176 votes) and KBS2’s ‘Glorious Days’ (45 votes) showed up with passionate niche fandoms, proving that every K-drama has its die-hard supporters.
‘Loverly Runner’: A Fandomr-Powered Legacy
With fans keeping the momentum going long after the finale, ‘Loverly Runner’ isn’t just riding a trend—it’s creating a legacy. In fact, its popularity has given renewed visibility to stars Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, whose rising fame shows no signs of slowing.
October’s chart could throw in a few surprises. Will challengers like ‘Motel California’ or ‘Mom’s Friend’s Son’ finally topple the reigning monarch? Or will ‘Loverly Runner’ extend its winning streak yet again? One thing’s for sure: The fan-driven fire isn’t going out anytime soon.
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