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Byeon Woo Seok Bursts Into Tears at Manila Fanmeet

Actor Byeon Woo Seok, known for his role in the tvN drama Lovely Runner,” broke down in tears during his fan meeting in Manila on June 22. The event, part of his 2024 Asia Fanmeeting Tour SUMMER LETTER, took place at the New Frontier Theater and drew a large, enthusiastic crowd.

Byeon Woo Seok’s emotional fan meeting moment

Despite the excitement of meeting his fans, the actor revealed he was not in the best physical condition. He expressed his concerns, saying, “I was worried I wouldn’t be able to fully enjoy this moment with you all because of my health.” His vulnerability resonated deeply with the audience, especially when he credited their energy for helping him enjoy the event. “Your energy helped me enjoy the fan meeting, even though I felt emotional and overwhelmed,” he shared.

@concertqueenph

Byeon Woo Seok crying in Manila fanmeet 😭😭 #BYEONWOOSEOK#BYEONWOOSEOKinMANILA #summerletterfanmeeting #byeonwooseok #sunjae #lovelyrunner

♬ original sound – Concert Queen PH – Concert Queen PH

The actor’s sincerity and warmth endeared him even more to his supporters. Although fans were thrilled to see him, they also understood the pressure he faces due to his rapid rise in popularity. His demanding schedule and constant public scrutiny have undoubtedly taken a toll on him.

The overwhelming demand for tickets to his fan meetings highlights his soaring popularity. For instance, the upcoming fan meeting in Seoul saw over 700,000 fans trying to secure a spot, causing ticketing platforms to crash. This high demand has unfortunately led to issues like illegal ticket resales and scams.

In addition to these challenges, the actor has had to deal with invasive behavior from some overly zealous fans who have followed him to his lodgings and even overseas. His agency, Varo Entertainment, has responded by promising legal action against any privacy violations.

Despite these obstacles, Byeon Woo Seok’s emotional connection with his fans remains strong. His tears at the fan meeting were a testament to the deep appreciation and love he feels for their unwavering support.

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Byun Woo Seok’s Rising Popularity Leads to ‘Soulmate’ Theatrical Re-Release

Rising actor and ‘Lovely Runner’ star Byun Woo Seok‘s past film ‘Soulmate’ is generating renewed interest, leading to discussions about its potential theatrical re-release due to his increasing popularity.

Byun Woo Seok’s ‘Soulmate’ Set for Theatrical Re-Release

On May 25, the film distribution company NEW released an official statement addressing the matter. They revealed, “We’re currently in talks with movie theaters on the re-release of ‘Soulmate’. The theater requested it first. We’re discussing specific schedules and events.”

‘Soulmate,’ which originally hit theaters in March 2023, explores the poignant themes of first loves and the journey to adulthood. The film features a stellar cast, including Byun Woo Seok, Kim Da Mi, and Jeon So Nee. The narrative delves into the intricacies of youthful romance and the personal growth that accompanies it, striking a chord with many viewers.

Byun Woo Seok’s star power has significantly risen, particularly following his role in the popular tvN drama ‘Lovely Runner.’ This newfound fame is a driving factor behind the discussions for ‘Soulmate’s’ re-release. His portrayal in ‘Lovely Runner’ has captivated audiences, showcasing his versatility and depth as an actor. The surge in popularity has not only increased his fan base but also reignited interest in his previous works, prompting theaters to consider bringing ‘Soulmate’ back to the big screen.

The potential re-release of ‘Soulmate’ underscores the film’s lasting impact and the renewed audience interest. The film distribution company NEW and the theaters are in the process of finalizing specific schedules and promotional events to maximize the re-release’s success. This move aims to provide fans and new viewers alike the opportunity to experience the film on the big screen once more, potentially with added content or special screenings to enhance the viewing experience.

Byun Woo Seok’s performance in ‘Soulmate’ is a testament to his acting prowess, contributing significantly to the film’s emotional depth and relatability. As discussions progress, fans eagerly anticipate the chance to revisit the heartfelt story or discover it for the first time. The potential re-release not only highlights Byun Woo Seok’s rising prominence in the entertainment industry but also celebrates the enduring appeal of ‘Soulmate’ as a touching cinematic work.

In conclusion, the ongoing talks about re-releasing ‘Soulmate’ reflect Byun Woo Seok’s growing influence and the film’s lasting resonance with audiences. As theaters and distribution companies collaborate to bring this beloved film back, it stands as a tribute to the actor’s talent and the timeless narrative that continues to engage viewers.

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tvN’s ‘Lovely Runner’ Hits Season-High Viewership After Shocking Episodes

The tvN drama Lovely Runner, starring Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok, has captivated audiences with its recent episodes, leading to a record-breaking viewership spike. According to Nielsen Korea, episode three of Lovely Runner earned an average nationwide viewership rating of 3.4 percent, a marked increase from the previous episode’s 2.7 percent. It also set a new personal best for the drama.

Episode 3 Preview [ENG] | Lovely Runner (2024)

The drama’s ratings bump

The drama’s third episode picked up with Ryu Sun Jae (played by Byeon Woo Seok) determined to compete in a swim meet despite attempts by Im Sol (played by Kim Hye Yoon) to keep him from doing so. In the end, he won a gold medal, and he also tried to confess his feelings to Im Sol, leading to heartwarming and hilarious moments between the characters.

However, the narrative took a dramatic turn when Sun Jae was injured during practice. The emotional highs continued as he gathered the courage to confess to Sol again. This time, he was successful, and the two even shared a kiss. Unfortunately, Sol was drunk when it happened and forgot about the kiss the next day. To top it all off, another character, Kim Tae Sung (played by Song Geon Hee), confessed his feelings to her as well.

Episode four saw Sol waking up in 2023, confused and desperate to return to 2008. Meanwhile, in the present, Baek In Hyuk (played by Lee Seung Hyub) attempts to contact Sol about Sun Jae, but their call gets cut off. Surprisingly, most of the things Sol did in 2008 remained unchanged in 2023, indicating that she may actually have altered Sun Jae’s future.

As Sol travels back to 2008, she discovers she’s in a relationship with Tae Sung, and Sun Jae is upset with her. Eventually, Sun Jae and Sol reconcile as he saves her from a drunken man, and Sol realizes that Sun Jae was the one who saved her from her car accident all along. These twists kept viewers hooked, leading to the drama’s ratings bump.

Episode 4 Preview [ENG] | Lovely Runner (2024)

‘Lovely Runner’ has gone viral

Lovely Runner has gone viral in Korea and abroad. In the week ending April 20, the drama recorded a 149% increase in digital mentions compared to the previous week. Also, the number of paid TVing subscribers has exceeded 10,000. The significant buzz is evident through the overwhelming number of YouTube comments, SNS mentions, and Naver Talk discussions. All these showed a 160% increase from the previous week, as measured just 12 hours after each episode’s broadcast.

Furthermore, Lovely Runner ranked first in 133 countries during its premiere week on the global OTT platform, Rakuten Viki. This list includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States. The drama maintains a high viewer rating on Viki, receiving favorable reviews that praise everything from the acting and story to the chemistry between the characters.

Based on a popular web novel and penned by True Beauty writer Lee Si Eun, Lovely Runner is a new time-slip romance drama that poses the question: “What would you do if you had the opportunity to save your ultimate bias?”

It’s a question many can relate to, which is partly why the drama is such a hit. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: The third and fourth episodes of the show are its highest-rated to date. Source: X/@ljscentric.

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