Lovely Runner couple Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon win Prizm Popularity Award at 61st Baeksang Awards; fans rejoice

Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon just won the Prizm Popularity Award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, cementing their status as Korea's sweetheart couple from the hit drama Lovely Runner. Their on-screen chemistry clearly charmed audiences (and their fans!) enough to bring home the award, beating out heavyweights like IU, who was hailed for her role inWhen Life Gives You Tangerines, and Hyeri, who gained critical acclaim for her performance inFriendly Rivalry. Other standout performers this year were also considered, but it was Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon who emerged victorious, further solidifying their place as two of Korea’s most beloved stars.



In his acceptance speech,Byeon Woo Seokexpressed heartfelt gratitude to fans, saying, “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to express your support in your busy, everyday lives. I know that I wouldn’t be here without you.”

He added, "I've heard a lot of reactions to this drama, and the most memorable one is that people have been consoled by me. I will always try to bring a little bit of comfort to people's lives. Thank you. And happy birthday to the CEO of my agency."


Kim Hye Yoon said, "This trophy is very heavy, probably as heavy as the love of my fans. You have always supported me. I hope we get to be together for a long time. I will always try as hard as the love you give me".


Fans went into a frenzy as soon as the winners were announced, with many taking to social media to express their excitement and overwhelming support for Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon.




The tvN drama, which became a sensation in 2024, skyrocketed in popularity thanks to Byun Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon’s standout performances. Their portrayal of an on-screen couple, Sun Jae and Im Sol, struck a chord with audiences, earning them widespread acclaim and a loyal fan following. The series's success, without any star-studded cast or heavy promotions, was one of the defining moments in the Korean drama scene last year.


Lovely Runner throws time travel, fantasy, and romance into the mix. A K-pop idol superfan, Im Sol, is crushed when her idol, Sun Jae, dies suddenly—but she gets a chance to change the destiny after she finds a watch that helps her travel back to high school. As she sets out to change Sun Jae's destiny, she discovers new details about her own life and her intertwined past with him.

In case you haven't watched the tvN drama, all 16 episodes of Lovely Runner are now streaming on Netflix.