2024 has already been an amazing year for K-Dramas across the board from nerve-wracking thrillers to swoon-worthy romantic comedies. And yet another series has arrived, showing immense promise right out the gate. Web novel based "Lovely Runner" already has millions smiling all day long, producing the most joy-inducing scenes imaginable.

The drama is led by Byeon WooSeok and Kim HyeYoon, with N.Flying's Lee SeungHyub and Song GeonHee. It follows the story of Ryu SeonJae, a dearly beloved celebrity who has mesmerized since his debut. He meets Im Sol, his dedicated supporter who was comforted and healed through SeonJae's music. After something tragic happens to Ryu SeonJae, Im Sol finds herself thrust back 15 years in the past where she meets SeonJae's 19-year-old self as a fellow schoolmate. She makes every effort to alter the future and ultimately avoid such a tragic event.

It has real-life issues, impeccable chemistry, and a talented cast who make us excitedly anticipate every new episode. This is especially true for Byeon WooSeok who has constantly proven himself throughout his entire career. With only two episodes, he's more than portrayed his acting prowess, able to proudly stand under the spotlight.

With how "Lovely Runner" is going so far, the actor is sure to become one the most searched names through the drama.

 

Quick Return To The Screen & Acting Versatility

With all things considered, it hasn't been too long since Byeon WooSeok has graced our screens. His performance in "Strong Girl NamSoon" left quite the impression, namely due to the fact that he played the series' despicable villain. With incredible visuals and a reputation of being such a heartthrob, it was certainly difficult to have any contempt for his character.

However, the actor immersed audiences everywhere, becoming the biggest red flag imaginable. Now, around four months later, he's returned with "Lovely Runner", looking to change into a welcoming green flag. Participating in multiple projects so close to one another provides just the right amount of hype needed to keep him in the spotlight and have netizens continue talking about the actor. This also serves as a way for Byeon WooSeok to continue showcasing his versatility as an actor. From providing a strong case of second lead syndrome to being a scheming, no-good villain, all roles are open for the actor. Seeing such contrasting performances shows that he's dedicated to improving his craft to immerse audiences fully into his drama.

While he plays the same person in "Lovely Runner", the lives of teenage Ryu SeonJae and adult Ryu SeongJae are completely different. Watching him portray these different experiences so well just speaks to his capability as an actor. Byeon WooSeok's strength not only lies in his individual performance, but with the incredible synergy he has with the rest of his castmates. He makes you enthusiastically cheer for Ryu SeonJae in the hopes that he'll receive a happy ending.

 

Byeon WooSeok's Global Reach

After making the switch from model to actor, Byeon WooSeok slowly built up his repertoire, participating in a variety of different works that include "Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency", "Record Of Youth", "Moonshine", and "Strong Girl NamSoon", as well as cameos in "Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo" and "Search: WWW". You also cannot forget his role in "20th Century Girl" as he starred alongside Kim YouJung. He was an absolute heartthrob, effectively stealing the hearts of viewers across the globe.

He's had a strong showing throughout his career, making it possible for the entire world to become acquainted with the actor. He's built up a strong fanbase, reaching well outside his home country of South Korea.

While he might not be the biggest name in the industry, K-Drama fans were naturally attracted to his various charms and innate acting talent. He became a scene stealer, showcasing immense growth until he was able to land a leading role. Looking at his recent global reach, according to Google trends, Byeon WooSeok received incredible attention for his role as the villain of "Strong Girl NamSoon". During that time, global interest peaked towards the end of the drama, continuing to pop up through search engines even after the show's conclusion. The actor saw a spike in global interest upon the release of "Lovely Runner". His increase in popularity can also be seen through his Instagram followers.

Just last year in November 2023, Byeon WooSeok reached the 3 million follower mark on Instagram. This is in direct correlation to his featuring in "Strong Girl NamSoon" as it aired from October 7th until November 26th. His next social media milestone was recorded in December, just a month later, at 4 million. And just recently, he was able to reach the 5 million follower mark, currently sitting at 5.2 million followers as of April 15th, 2024 at 1:00 PM KST.

To give context, Byeon WooSeok was a little over 4.8 million followers when the first episode of "Lovely Runner" aired, making it an increase of 0.4 million social media reach. At his current follower count, Byeon WooSeok is among the likes of Choi HyunWook and Kim WooBin, who are at 5.3 million and 5.1 million followers respectively.

These numbers portray the sheer amount of people who want to keep up with the latest updates from Byeon WooSeok himself. Since "Lovely Runner" has just started, his social media presence is sure to increase, in particular his Instagram followers have the potential to reach 6 million in a little under two weeks. Once he reaches this next milestone, that would put the actor among other actors like Woo DoHwan, Ji Soo, Lomon, Lee JaeWook, Hwang MinHyun, Lee JoonGi, and RoWoon who are also within the 6 million follower bracket.

 

Promising Ratings Start And Hot Response From Netizens

His talent aside, "Lovely Runner" shows immense promise, as ratings-wise, it is off to a great start. The drama has earned 3.176% from the first episode, and as it builds upon such firm foundations, it will surely grow larger in the near future. In addition, Kim HyeYoon's portrayal of bright and bubbly Im Sol, along with her chemistry with Byeon WooSeok will certainly be a large factor in the drama's success.

In just two episodes, his acting has been recognized by netizens worldwide, receiving support from communities across X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and K-Drama Discords alike.

idols should be thankful that byeon wooseok chose to be an actor. #ByeonWooSeok #LovelyRunner pic.twitter.com/YPmFH2FhpQ

— . (@silly_love__) April 9, 2024

thanks to byeon wooseok for taking this role, ryu sunjae is such a breath of fresh air & he is deserve to be loved <3#LovelyRunner #LovelyRunnerEp3 pic.twitter.com/8JQ3p7f2hO

— ً (@wooseokfiles) April 15, 2024

Due to the strong impact of his previous roles, audiences are openly rooting for Byeon WooSeok's success.

He's trended in the past across search engines and social media websites, and there are obvious reasons why. From his dramas' success to his polished skills, Byeon WooSeok shows no flaws from head to toe. With the success of "Lovely Runner" so far, the actor is sure to become one of the most talked about celebrities in the K-Drama industry.

Are you currently watching "Lovely Runner"? What do you think of Byeon WooSeok's performance so far?

2024 is proving to be an amazing year for K-Dramas and we love to see it. With the screen comebacks of top stars, rising actors making their mark on the industry, and the increasing versatility of genres, 2024 will undoubtedly give renewed impetus to Hallyu. As we step into April 2024, a number of exciting K-Dramas await.

From thrillers and fantasy to historical and crime, there's something for everyone this month. So, we compiled some of the most highly anticipated April 2024 K-Dramas in a watchlist for you!

Here are 5 April 2024 K-Dramas that you absolutely do not want to miss!

Note: This watchlist is not a ranking. It includes select K-Dramas airing on Korean national television as well as Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ original series.

 

Top 5 April 2024 K-Dramas

1. "Parasyte: The Grey"

When & Where: April 5, Netflix

Cast: Jeon SoNee, Koo KyoHwan, Lee JungHyun, Kwon HaeHyo

Summary: Based on the popular manga "Parasyte" by Hitoshi Iwaaki, "Parasyte: The Grey" will tell the story of how humans fight back against strange parasitic creatures trying to feed off of human hosts and steal their consciousness. While these worms try to expand their power and take over the control of society, can co-existence be possible?

Reasons To Watch: If you're a fan of the anime "Parasyte: The Maxim" or the manga "Parasyte", you have to tune into the April 2024 K-Drama "Parasyte: The Grey". The fact that the show is created by Yeon SangHo, and stars outstanding actors like Koo KyoHwan, Jeon SoNee and Lee JungHyun is reason enough to be hyped and we cannot wait to see what they have in store for us.

 

2. "Lovely Runner"

When & Where: April 8, Viki

Cast: Kim HyeYoon, Byeon WooSeok

Summary: "Lovely Runner" follows the story of Ryu SunJae (Byeon WooSeok), a popular star who passes away unexpectedly. However, a twist of fate gives him a second chance at life when his devoted fan, Im Sol (Kim HyeYoon), travels back in time to prevent the tragedy.

Reasons To Watch: "Lovely Runner" is arguably the most highly awaited romance drama among April 2024 K-Dramas. Kim HyeYoon and Byeon WooSeok are an absolute dream pair, and their heart-fluttering chemistry (especially the height difference) is giving us all the butterflies already! We cannot wait for this show to start airing.

 

3. "Blood Free"

When & Where: April 10, Disney Plus

Cast: Han HyoJoo, Ju JiHoon, Lee HeeJun, Lee MuSaeng

Summary: BF (Blood Free) is a company dominating the genetically engineered cultured meat market but when CEO Yoon JaYoo's (Han HyoJoo) vision starts being questioned, she realizes that her life is on the line. JaYoo meets the mysterious Woo ChaeWoon (Ju JiHoon), who starts working as her bodyguard.

Reasons To Watch: Much like other Disney Plus originals recently, "Blood Free" is a star-studded K-Drama with a novel premise. Viewers' expectations are sky high for this April 2024 K-Drama, and why wouldn't they be when some of the best actors have come together for this project? Besides, Disney Plus has established a reputation for its high-quality originals and we're hoping that this one is going to be no exception.

 

4. "Chief Detective 1958"

When & Where: April 19, Disney Plus

Cast: Lee JeHoon, Seo EunSoo, Lee DongHwi, Choi WooSung, Yoon HyunSoo

Summary: The story of a passionate young detective, Park YoungHan (Lee JeHoon), who cannot stand injustice. He teams up with his colleagues at Jongnam Police Station in Seoul to fight crime in an age where technology wasn't as advanced as it is today.

Reasons To Watch: Lee JeHoon fighting crime again? Sign us up! This April 2024 K-Drama is one of the most highly anticipated K-Dramas of the year, and for good reason! With a retro setting, this K-Drama is going to evoke nostalgia for an age many of us have never experienced and make us fall in love with it. Besides, the cast - which combines experienced stars and rising young actors, is sure to draw your attention.

 

5. "Missing Crown Prince"

When & Where: April 13, Viki

Cast: EXO's SuHo, Hong YeJi, Kim MinKyu

Summary: The crown prince of the nation has been kidnapped by a woman fated to be the princess! As they flee, a gentle romance blooms between the two.

Reasons To Watch: SuHo of EXO captivated global K-Drama audiences with his performance in "Behind Your Touch," heightening anticipation for his upcoming lead role in "Missing Crown Prince." Joining him is super rookie Hong YeJi, celebrated for her role in "Love Song For Illusion," garnering a devoted following, and rising star Kim MinKyu, making fans curious about the characters' relationships. You don't want to miss this one!

One of the most polarising K-Dramas released in recent times is "Chicken Nugget" on Netflix. Viewers who have watched "Chicken Nugget" have been divided into two categories: one, completely loving it, and the other, totally unimpressed.

For those who might not know, "Chicken Nugget" is a sci-fi comedy K-Drama about a young woman who turns into a chicken nugget after entering a mysterious machine.

You read that right! Kim YouJung's character MinAh, turns into a chicken nugget and remains a chicken nugget for the majority of the drama!

To bring MinAh back to human form, her father Choi SunMan (Ryu SeungRyong) and her secret admirer Ko BaekJoong (Ahn JaeHong) join hands and risk their lives, even if that means having to unravel the deepest secrets of the universe.

The cast is phenomenal and was reason enough for many viewers to tune into "Chicken Nugget". However, for many others, even the cast could not make them watch the show.

Amidst mixed reviews, I am of the stance that "Chicken Nugget" is meant for a very specific audience. I personally thought it was a joyride that is not only worth watching but worth rewatching!

A kooky "Rick And Morty"-esque comedy with a strangely comforting and hopeful tone and a distinct humor code reminiscent of absurdist stage plays, "Chicken Nugget" perfectly mirrored the webtoon's unique offering and left me wanting more.

However, I know there are many who couldn't even complete the drama.

So, if you're wondering whether you should watch "Chicken Nugget", you've come to the right place!

Here are 3 very specific types of people who would enjoy "Chicken Nugget" on Netflix!

Of course, this is just for fun and not meant to stereotype viewers of the drama. 

 

Who Should Watch "Chicken Nugget"?

1. People who don't/don't want to take life too seriously

A prerequisite for watching fantasy or sci-fi dramas is the suspension of disbelief. However, "Chicken Nugget" takes it one step further. There's a limit to which viewers can suspend their disbelief, and "Chicken Nugget" is the type of work that tests this limit. So, to watch and enjoy "Chicken Nugget", you need to suspend not only your disbelief but also your seriousness.

None of the characters in "Chicken Nugget" take themselves too seriously. None of the character designs are serious, none of the settings are serious, and of course, the very premise itself is the definition of unserious.

Even the so-called villain is the most tropey mad scientist joined by his 45-year-old-looking 25-year-old nephew, and the two basically have a Pokémon battle towards the end of the drama!

"Chicken Nugget" is filled with parodies of K-Drama tropes, subverting expectations at every turn without a single dull moment.

You simply cannot take anything seriously if you want to enjoy "Chicken Nugget" and if that's not in your nature, this might not be the right K-Drama for you to watch.

On the other hand, if you WANT to take things less seriously than you do, "Chicken Nugget" will be perfect for you too!

 

2. People who don't like playing by rules & logic

Sci-fi and fantasy are two genres where world-building and logic can make or break the plot. However, "Chicken Nugget" does away with this idea entirely.

After all, what else would you expect from a K-Drama that refuses to take itself seriously?

"Chicken Nugget" constantly establishes certain rules, breaks them, throws in a few red herrings, introduces a new logic, turns it around, forgets it for a bit, brings it back again, catapults it to another universe (literally), and finally hands it to us on a platter. Do with it what you will!

So, if you're the type of K-Drama viewer who needs some sort of universal logic to hold the worldview of the story together, you are probably not going to like "Chicken Nugget".

However, if you're ready to be one with the chaos, embrace the illogical, and happily let go of loopholes, then you definitely need to give "Chicken Nugget" a try.

There's an eccentric order in this K-Drama's seemingly nonsensical unpredictability, and that is exactly what will help you sail through the episodes and reach the sweet ending like the last bite of a chicken nugget.

 

3. People who like side quests

"Chicken Nugget" gets more and more flavorful with time. You really need to get the hang of this drama's outrageous ideas and peculiar humor, familiarize yourself with it, and re-adjust your expectations to watch and start enjoying "Chicken Nugget".

In other words, "Chicken Nugget" is like an acquired taste, an experience, and it takes some time to get to the good part.

So, if you're the type of K-Drama viewer who enjoys tight plots with no fillers or detours and prefers getting to the crux of the matter as soon as possible, "Chicken Nugget" will probably not be your cup of tea.

However, if you're willing to take a leisurely stroll with the K-Drama, stop and smell the roses, a.k.a the star-studded cameos, don't mind diving into little back-stories, are happy to complete some side-quests, meet some loveable NPCs, giggle at some good old references, and could do with some Dad jokes sprinkled along the way, then "Chicken Nugget" might just be your favorite K-Drama of the year.

It's quite literally the most stress-free K-Drama you'll find!

Do you fall into any of these three categories? Did you watch "Chicken Nugget" on Netflix and enjoy it? Tell us on X!

You can watch "Chicken Nugget" here.