The Tagalog-dubbed version of the K-drama “Lovely Runner” is back on GMA Network, giving more viewers another chance to follow the time-slip romance on free television.
Airing locally under the title “The Lovely Runner,” the series returned to GMA’s lineup on June 22. It airs Monday to Saturday at 11:30 p.m. (Manila time). The current broadcast follows the show’s Philippine TV premiere on GMA in 2025.
The drama stars Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon as the central pair known in the Korean version as Ryu Sun-jae and Im Sol. In GMA’s Tagalog-dubbed version, the characters are introduced to viewers as Sandro and Sol. The local broadcast also uses localized names for other major characters, with Song Geon-hee’s Kim Tae-seong becoming Tyrone and Lee Seung-hyub’s Baek In-hyuk becoming Ian.
The series follows Sol, a devoted fan who unexpectedly returns to the past and tries to change the fate of her idol, Sandro. The story’s mix of romance, music, grief, and time travel helped “Lovely Runner” become one of the most talked-about K-dramas of 2024, with international recognition for the performances of Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon.
For Filipino viewers, the GMA broadcast offers a distinct viewing experience shaped by familiar local dubbing traditions. The localized names give the series a flavor reminiscent of classic Tagalog-dubbed Asian dramas, but they have also sparked discussion among fans who closely associate the original names with the show’s emotional scenes, fandom jokes, and memorable lines.
Much of the earlier online conversation centered on GMA’s localization choices, especially the decision to change some of the characters’ Korean names for the Tagalog-dubbed broadcast. For longtime viewers, those names and familiar lines are closely tied to the emotional pull of the original Korean version.
The localized broadcast also highlights how Korean dramas continue to find new life on Philippine television. While streaming platforms have made shows like “Lovely Runner” widely accessible to subtitle viewers, free-TV airings remain important for audiences who prefer Tagalog dubbing or discover K-dramas through traditional broadcast slots.
This article was written with the help of AI and was reviewed and edited by the Hallyu Dorama team.