Despite cherry blossom season coming to a close, audiences everywhere can still feel that spring-like bliss through the web novel based K-Drama, "Lovely Runner". Nearing its halfway mark, the show has become an undeniable source of serotonin to viewers across the globe. It's shaping up to be the perfect pick-me-up for the start of the week.

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 (Byeon WooSeok), a dearly beloved celebrity who has mesmerized since his debut. He meets Im Sol (Kim HyeYoon), 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 save him from a tragic fate.

Swooning story of romance aside, it tackles real life issues and showcases amazing chemistry between characters, all with a cast who are able to masterfully pilot their role to perfection. And as one looks directly at Kim HyeYoon, you're able to see an actress who remains at the top of her game and only seems to improve as her career progresses forward. She's been a delight to watch, making everyone feel a swarm of butterflies appear in their chest.

Considering the success of "Lovely Runner" so far, the actress is set to top the search engines and trend on social media even after the finale episode.

A Welcomed Comeback

tvN

Prior to the premiere of "Lovely Runner", Kim HyeYoon was absent from the K-Drama space for nearly three years. But now that she's returned to television screens, fans can't help but express their joy all across social media far and wide. Audiences are glad to once again witness Kim HyeYoon's naturally bright demeanor that also reveals itself through her portrayal of Im Sol. Moving back and forth between past and present, the actress shows that she's a master at her craft, a quality that has been worked on and refined since her humble debut.

The time she's spent away from the limelight certainly did not take away from her skills whatsoever, as she's still extremely skilled while remaining a much needed source of sunshine behind the scenes. Her ability to switch between the two modes speaks to her ability as an actress and that even a small break cannot deter her from putting on the best performance possible, immersing fans into yet another award-winning hit.

tvN

Her comeback with Im Sol seemed like the perfect move, as the character truly feels like an extension of Kim HyeYoon's sunshine-like persona herself. However, she's also able to make audiences feel crushingly sad heartache, a fear of losing someoen you love, and a hesitancy that would prevent anyone from acting upon their heart. Kim HyeYoon makes you sympathize for her character, while also hoping she doesn't lose her dazzling shine.

A Storied Career That Elevated Her Status As An Actress

Kim HyeYoon made her official debut through "Samsaengi" in 2013 and in the following year, gained attention for her appearance in "Bad Guys". And while some might think this is where the actress truly hits the ground running and she decides to shift her focus towards academics, attending the prestigious Konkuk University. While attending school, she was able to procure numerous guest roles in widely recognized dramas. Some of these series include "Doctors", "The Legend Of The Blue Sea", "Goblin", and "Let's Eat Season 3". While she participated in smaller roles, audiences quickly became accustomed to seeing Kim HyeYoon on the screen, excited for the moment she'll receive her big break.

After finally finishing her schooling, Kim HyeYoon was ready to audition for bigger roles. The first role that she landed in pursuing this endeavor was as Kang YeSeo in the highly acclaimed "Sky Castle".

Unlike the bright and bubbly Kim HyeYoon that we're so accustomed to, Kang YeSeo's academic excellence served as a double-edged sword which became even harsher under the pressure of her highly critical parents and pressure to achieve perfection. "Sky Castle" showed the dark side of the education system and how many students are pushed to the point of exhaustion in order to enter one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea.

Kpopmap

"Sky Castle" served as one of Kim HyeYoon's most prominent stepping points, and still manages to retain its popularity today. Netizens continue to show "Sky Castle" favorably interest even in the past year when countless more series have premiered to raving success. Shortly afterwards, she was able to land yet another memorable main role in "Extraordinary You" (2018), which featured a cast of then rising stars in RoWoon, Lee JaeWook, Lee NaEun, Kim YoungDae, Jung GunJoo, and Lee TaeRi. Kim HyeYoon's acting was spectacular throughout the series. Then there was her chemistry with RoWoon that created waves of butterflies all throughout your stomach.

Even in the past year, it continues to remain a dearly beloved series among the K-Drama community worldwide as they continue to show it interest until today.

Kpopmap

Kim HyeYoon would then continue proving herself through "Secret Royal Inspector & Joy" (2021) and "Snowdrop" (2021). Then before briefly stepping away from the spotlight, she made an appearance in "Cleaning Up" in 2022. These iconic K-Dramas continued to raise the bar of what audiences could expect out of Kim HyeYoon's acting. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that she was a marvelous talent, capable of taking on a myriad of different roles.

Current Ratings Of "Lovely Runner"

Nielsen Korea

In just three weeks, "Lovely Runner" was able to earn 3.946% ratings for its most recent episode, according to Nielsen Korea. Compared to the 3.176% of its first episode, the slow and steady increase showcases the drama's potential to take off even further. And part of the drama's success can be owed to Kim HyeYoon's acting prowess. Watching her pilot Im Sol as she navigates her relationship with Ryu SeonJae has offered a number of different experiences. Witnessing Kim HyeYoon's acting prowess acts as a form of healing, a beacon of hope, and a revitalizing vitamin that can be taken at any moment.

Kpopmap

The moment "Lovely Runner" premiered, things started taking off once for the actress, as she was mentioned all across the internet. This has only increased with every passing episode. In addition, netizens have positively welcomed her back as she delivers another award-winning performance.

Kpopmap

While both data and numbers can serve as one representation of Kim HyeYoon's current influence, but it is the kind and encouraging words that truly embody the hearts of fans. Found all across social media and forum sites are cheers from the actress' supportive fans that just won't stop talking about her endless talent.

Considering her unending perseverance, the success of her previous roles, and how well she's doing through "Lovely Runner" today, it's almost certain that Kim HyeYoon will continue to trend on search engines and social media. And once award season comes around, she's sure to be recognized for her amazing work.

Are you watching "Lovely Runner"? How do you like Kim HyeYoon's acting so far?

You know the feeling when you're watching a romance K-Drama, and you can feel your heartbeat getting faster? Or, perhaps when you're with your crush in real life and your heart feels like it's beating right out of your chest? In Korean, there's a word for that pit-a-pat feeling. It's called "두근두근" (dugeun dugeun).

"Dugeun dugeun" is an onomatopoeia that mimics the rhythmic sound of a heartbeat and is commonly used to express excitement, nervousness, or anticipation in various contexts, including romantic situations or moments of suspense. If you're a K-Pop or K-Drama fan, you must have heard this phrase often in dramas or song lyrics.

You can use "dugeun dugeun" when your heart is racing or pounding because of something or someone. For instance, in "Lovely Runner", Ryu SunJae (Byeon WooSeok) can feel his heart go dugeun dugeun for Im Sol (Kim HyeYoon).

You can use "dugeun dugeun" in a sentence (informal) as below:

만날 때마다 마음이 두근두근해

Mannal ttaemada maeumi dugeun dugeunhae

My heart races every time we meet

There's also a Korean abbreviation for dugeun dugeun that you can use in text messages or on the internet. It's ㄷㄱㄷㄱ.

What makes your heart go dugeun dugeun? Tell us on X!

To learn more fun Korean words, stay tuned to Your Korea Tutor - Kpopmap!

Disney Plus is quickly emerging as a new power player in the K-Content landscape, and the platform's latest claim to global fame is the science-fiction thriller "Blood Free", starring Han HyoJoo and Ju JiHoon.

Han HyoJoo, who is steadily becoming the face of Disney Plus, having previously appeared in the mega-hit blockbuster of a K-Drama - "Moving", plays the stoic and ambitious CEO of "Blood Free" Yun JaYu in the drama of the same name. "Blood Free" is a company dedicated to eliminating animal cruelty and protecting the environment through game-changing inventions such as cultured meat, cultured seafood, and even cultured grains and food crops! Thanks to the company's unprecedented development, "Blood Free" has gone global. However, the ethical implications that come with such strides are making life just a tad more difficult for Yun JaYu.

Spoiler Alert!

Disney Plus

From death threats to hired killers, violent protests, a massive hack that costs her billions in Bitcoin, and a prodding suspicion that someone's betraying her organization from the inside, Yun JaYu is constantly on edge. In steps her knight in a suave grey coat - Ju JiHoon as Woo ChaeWoon.

Woo ChaeWoon is a soldier-turned-bodyguard hired to protect Yun JaYu after he very conveniently turns up at the right times in the right places. Just as unreadable as JaYu, ChaeWoon is a man with a dark past, the wounds from which still continue to haunt him. Secrets abound in the relationship that they form, teetering on the line between allies and enemies, trust and suspicion, light and dark.

Shadowy figures surround the two as the story progresses, including the Prime Minister of the nation, Sun WooJae (played by Lee HeeJun), a very close friend On San (Lee MuSaeng), a genius scientist Kim SinGu (Kim SangHo), and more.

What Makes "Blood Free" So Unique?

Disney Plus

In addition to the brilliant cast and their outstanding acting, one of the biggest strengths of "Blood Free" is the uncanny atmosphere it builds up, where chaos starts to unravel slowly yet steadily, threatening to swallow everything in its wake. It is virtually impossible to judge good and evil or even be able to tell them apart. Our protagonists are so intricately layered and complex that imposing our own moral standards upon them becomes an exercise in futility. So, to enjoy this show, the first thing you need to do is abandon your inherent nature to pick a side and let the story carry you to its conclusion.

Another attractive quality of the drama is that it naturally encourages discourse. If there's anything K-Drama fans love more than K-Dramas, it is making theories and predictions about said K-Dramas. "Blood Free" is the type of drama that is all show and no tell. There's very little exposition, but there are hints peppered throughout the episodes that tell you all you need to know. Naturally, this births fan theories and engaging with such theories is arguably one of the best parts about the K-Drama fandom.

Eagle-eyed fans are already noticing details like how Yun JaYu could have had a twin sister who suffered from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and how JaYu could be working on organ culture behind the guise of her cultured meat business. Human experiments have already been alluded to, so such a revelation would not really be a stretch.

Discussing the K-Drama in this manner while we wait for author extraordinaire Lee SooYeon (known for works like "Stranger", "Life", and "Grid") to captivate us with her writing is an experience you do not want to miss.

How Is "Blood Free" Performing?

Disney Plus

All things considered, "Blood Free" seems to have the makings of a fantastic thriller with impressive rewatch value. The subject matter is novel, the first of its kind in Korea, the cast is star-studded, and the cinematography, especially during the action scenes, is unmatched. It is riveting, full of spectacle, but also imbued with deep meaning and detailed nuances. The drama has gathered a niche audience who enjoy the genre and are watching the show as it airs, but we're expecting even more viewers to tune in once the series can be binge-watched.

This is because the very novelty of the subject matter may be what is holding some viewers back from investing their time into the show right away. As it is a sensitive issue, we suspect that not all viewers may be comfortable, especially with the graphic scenes depicted in the very first episode. However, if one can get past the initial shock, it's smooth sailing from then on as new mysteries unfold. A lot of the latter part of the show seems to be quite unrelated to the core concept of cultured meat and instead delves into more of a whodunnit thriller surrounding Yun JaYu's connection to the terror attack, her past, as well as the culprit behind the attack on Blood Free.

Disney Plus

At the time of writing, "Blood Free" has entered Disney Plus' top 10 most-watched shows chart in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, according to FlixPatrol.

We also carried out our own data analysis, pulling posts from all across the web over the last 30 days to determine how "Blood Free" has been performing worldwide.

According to our analysis, mentions of "Blood Free" and the use of the hashtag #BloodFree have gone up +18455%, social media reach has gone up +307961%, interactions increased by +483026%, and positive sentiment towards the drama increased by +23200%.

To put things into perspective with numbers, the estimated social media reach of "Blood Free" at the moment is 7,513,618, while the non-social media reach is 9,956,584. The hashtag #BloodFree is currently a trending hashtag across social media, followed by related hashtags like #HanHyoJoo, #JuJiHoon, #BloodFreeKdrama, #한효주, #지배종, #주지훈, and #DominantSpecies.

While the K-Drama is considerably popular, it certainly has room to expand further and capture virality, and factors like social media edits and word of mouth are going to play a major role in attracting more attention to the drama.

"Blood Free" Netizen Sentiment Analysis

Kpopmap

We also conducted a sentiment analysis, analyzing hundreds of posts from across the internet to understand how viewers are reacting to the show. We noticed that a majority of the viewers of "Blood Free" were more attracted to the chemistry between the lead actors Han HyoJoo and Ju JiHoon than any other aspect of the drama. As the drama is not mainly a romance drama, this chemistry seems to be hitting different for viewers of the show.

The idea of cultured meat also brought forth some discussion, especially as the drama explores the moral dilemma surrounding cultured meat and grains, which can have a devastating effect on primary industries.

There is, however, some negative reaction to the show, which seems to be based on the slow pacing of the narrative.

In conclusion, we found that 96.9% of netizens have a positive sentiment towards the show, and 3.1% have a negative sentiment. These numbers were recorded on April 17, 2024, when episodes 3 and 4 were released.

Episodes 5 and 6 of "Blood Free" release today, April 24. It will be interesting to see how the numbers change after this week's episodes.

"Blood Free" is now streaming on Disney Plus. Are you watching?