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 in When Life Gives You Tangerines, and Hyeri, who gained critical acclaim for her performance in Friendly 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.

Congratulations #ByeonWooSeok #KimHyeYoon on winning Popularity Award at the #61stBaeksangArtsAwards, tvN drama <#LovelyRunner>. pic.twitter.com/DTPLoq5r31

¡ª K-Drama Casting (@kdramacasting) May 5, 2025

Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon thank fans

In his acceptance speech, Byeon Woo Seok expressed 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."

¡®as i was doing the drama, i received a lot of feedback & one that stayed with me was hearing that i became someone¡¯s comfort. in the future, even if just a little, if i can give you comfort, i¡¯ll work hard to be that kind of actor¡¯#ByeonWooSeok #??? #BaeksangArtsAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/HXRUesjIBG

¡ª ??.? (@seoksamo) May 5, 2025

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".

? hello, i'm #KimHyeyoon! oh.. the award is very heavy. our fans gave us this much-- hooh! i'm very nervous ?? i think i was able to get such a heavy award through the fans' love. my hyeppyendings, whom i always feel grateful for! my hyeppyendings who are always by my side,¡­ pic.twitter.com/EPfvFKC5B3

¡ª ? (@lilymelodies) May 5, 2025

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 MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR ??
Make some noise for our PRIZM Popularity Award winners:
BYEON WOOSEOK & KIM HYEYOON ??
they ate & left no crumbs fr ? #Baeksang2025 #ByeonWooseok #??? #KimHyeyoon #???#BaeksangArtsAwards2025 #61stBaeksangArtsAwards pic.twitter.com/82d3w8nPk6

¡ª NINNI?? (@ninniyaaa) May 5, 2025

Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon won the Best Couple Award and Prizm Popularity Awards at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, thanks to their hit drama Lovely Runner and overwhelming fan votes! pic.twitter.com/D8mnfYAvmG

¡ª Honey Wooseok (@HoneyWoose31) May 5, 2025

Lovely Runner's breakout success

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.

What's the plot of Lovely Runner?

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¡ªbut 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.