Episode, Duration, Quote, and Summary

Personal Significance

Episode 1: 67 minutes

“So about that gun… Is it even worth owning when it’s fake?” “It doesn’t have to be real to be worth something.” – Ki Seon Gyeom and Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Ki Seon Gyeom notices bruises on his friend Kim Woo Sik’s body. To apologize to her professor, Oh Mi Joo agrees to work as a translator for an upcoming event. What sounds like a typical love story between a runner and a translator turns out to be quite atypical in this first episode of Run On. Ki Seon Gyeom’s cold rich boy persona is a mask as he is actually a crazy person, and the spunky poor girl Oh Mi Joo is a loser. However, these characters are much more than their labels, and as their paths cross, it feels inevitable for them to fall for each other.

How do you start off a story? It seems difficult for me lately. Like I have what I want in mind but making it into something comprehensible takes much longer than expected. Follow me on this journey as I talk about bits and pieces of my life to the show on the left that I fell in love with.

What is great about starting something new is the whole adventure of it. Learning the tendencies and behavior of the characters involved and what makes them unique. How will the plot connect all of these characters together? Which characters will we end up hating and which ones will deserve our love?

I often question the characters of shows that I watch. I understand they play a role and that has a purpose but if they were actually a real person. How would I actually conduct myself with them? Will our viewpoints and perspectives mold together or will there be opposition instead?

It makes me reflect on myself and what I’ve done. Things that are important to me but may not be important to others. And that is perfectly fine, I would like to be agreeable but if everyone always agrees on the same thing, it becomes bland and boring. I may not understand where someone’s thought process is coming from but I won’t discard it as unimportant nor will I place those ideas above my own. I recognized everyone’s uniqueness. So, if an adult still sleeps with a Charmander plushie in their early 20s, just let them be, that plushie probably means something important to them. I understand why Oh Mi Joo has a special affinity for fake guns, everyone’s values are different

Episode 2: 71 minutes

“Why do we fall? So we learn how to pick ourselves up.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Ki Seon Gyeom gets revenge for his friend Kim Woo Sik by getting into a fight. Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom bond over a business dinner. As our protagonists get to know each other a little better, we learn that our hero may not be as dispassionate or aloof as he first seemed. When some upsetting truths are revealed, Ki Seon Gyeom tries his best to serve his version of justice, but will the justice system play fair?

And because everyone’s values are different, everyone endures different hardships and pains in their life. It would be nice if we could progress through life without worries and stress. But then we would never learn the lessons that we need to survive and grow. For the first time, I got rejected by a volleyball team in the Fall of 2017. I could’ve been depressed and felt sad for myself. I didn’t have time to do that, if I had time to wallow in sadness then I had time to get better. I embraced the friction and frustration and got back to work because that grew the flame of my desire. The younger me didn’t allow time to rest when I fell. The first aid kit wouldn’t fix anything that I dealt with.

In high school, I worked so hard to become good at volleyball. Especially, during my younger years when I first began playing. I knew I didn’t have talent compared to some of my peers on my volleyball team in high school. But I knew that my work ethic far exceeded theirs. I would show up an hour before practice and grind even before practice officially started. If someone practiced for one hour, I had to work another hour or two after them just to make sure that I wasn’t getting left behind. I’ve been left behind too many times in my life and that creates an insecurity that doesn’t allow me to rest mentally.

Episode 3: 71 minutes

“Don’t do it if you don’t want to. You don’t have to always overcome everything. So, if you don’t want to do something, don’t do it. You can rest on the weekends.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Ki Seon Gyeom takes fate into his own hands and does something drastic. Oh Mi Joo contemplates how she can best support Ki Seon Gyeom and do her job well at the same time. Ki Seon Gyeom and Oh Mi Joo get closer as work and life (and mutual interest) pull them together. Important insight into Ki Seon Gyeom and his family life goes a long way in shedding light on the man he became, and the decision that might derail his career.

That is until I was taught the importance of rest. How much that plays a role in our overall well-being. Mr. “No Days Off” learned that the weekends are valuable. As a child, bumps, and bruises didn’t damage us as much because we healed quickly. But you learn soon that our bodies can only take so much stress until it begins to break. My two patella tendonitis, shin splints, strained hip flexor, and other injuries are proof of overworking.

When I first strained my hip back in 2016, it made me hate my body. I knew my body was hurting, the weakness in my ankles when I would walk up a flight of steps, the way how my knees would buckle slightly when I walked. The right side of my hip gave out on me after I went up for a block and I landed and turned too quickly. All eyes were on me while I knelt on the ground showing weakness, I felt as if I let everyone down. It made me wish I was born with a body that could keep up with my drive and ambition.

That is what I would have let my past self think. But I know now that my body did the very best it could. I was a spoiled brat, overworking myself and still expecting the best results with the risk of injury. I was naive in that way of thinking. Those days of recovering from the strained hip were one of the calmest times I had to assess myself and my passion for volleyball. “Can I keep going? How much do I really want this? Will I be happy in the end?” Those are questions I asked myself in my recovery stage.

Episode 4: 70 minutes

“You’re so strange. You worry about everyone else but yourself. Do you know what you seem like to me? A person who’s used to being hurt.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Seo Dan Ah cleans up Ki Seon Gyeom’s mess by talking to Kim Woo Sik. Ki Seon Gyeom leaves Jeju Island and confronts Oh Mi Joo. To run or not to run? Ki Seon Gyeom puts his career on the line as he answers this question, and though the repercussions may be harsh, he’s more than ready to face the aftermath. Meanwhile, Oh Mi Joo works hard not only to ensure his bold words won’t get lost in translation but that his unrelenting ethics won’t harm him in the process.

I wanted to be a source of strength to someone, to anyone. Maybe that stems from me being a people pleaser. So, if I were to be hurt in the process of someone being happy in an ethical way. I was fine with it. I understood the difference between that and bullying. I know that different way too well. As someone who has had bullying experiences in three of my six years of elementary education, it makes me extremely angry to see bullying go unpunished. 

It’s better to be hurt than to hurt others. Nice people can be happy with just that. Those are thoughts I’ve had since I was little. It just becomes “normal,” being hurt but really there is nothing normal about it. But what could I do about it growing up? I could run away, but what would that really fix? I just learned to adjust my expectations of other people’s actions and words. It’s safer that way, to minimize the pain from others. It helped, I didn’t care to know who this tooth fairy was and I didn’t need to know who this person named Santa was. Because I knew the reindeer wouldn’t have to visit my house. “If you think there is someone better for you to go live at then call them and go live with them!” Those words my father said to me when I was younger really hurt me badly. At that moment, I knew I would never have a home anymore living under the same roof as this person that was my “father.”

I didn’t include this quote from the show because I only had one per episode but Oh Mi Joo said in episode three “A home is where you come back to. If you don’t have one, why not get something that is similar instead? That is what I did. A place I can come back to.” When I first heard that, it felt as if she was an older sibling talking and giving me advice on what I should do. I’ve already been doing that since my sophomore year of college, but I feel like if this show had come out during my high school years, I don’t know if it would have had the same impact on me.

Episode 5: 69 minutes

“You are considerate to everyone around you. Did you not think that kind boy would feel the same way? No one is born able to endure pain from the start. So do not try to seem okay if that is what you are doing.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: We finally get to have quality time with our second leads! It only took five episodes… Lee Yeong Hwa tries to compensate for Seo Dan Ah’s broken bracelet by agreeing to paint for her. Oh Mji Joo translates Kim Woo Sik’s interview online to clear Ki Seon Gyeom’s name. Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom face some hard truths about each other, but will that be enough to counter the magnetic pull that keeps bringing them into each other’s orbit? As Ki Seon Gyeom tries to adjust to life after retirement, Oh Mi Joo needs to decide if her very strong feelings for him can outweigh her fears about having someone like him in her life.

Weird how being hurt can become normal for some people. I say that with experience of being that person used to being hurt. I understand the pain and treatment I endured are unfair and unjust. Maybe it is fear of retaliation if I had my back. Maybe it is fear of appearing weak to ask for help. Maybe it is because asking for help is not normalized within Asian cultures. Or do I just seem like a crazy person? Thinking back to what I used to feel, it scares me that I normalized for myself that being hurt was okay. I see myself in so many ways with Ki Seon Gyeom, he kept enduring abuse from his father, and yet he wouldn’t stand to see others being hurt. So, when he stood up for Kim Woo Sik getting bullied, I wanted Ki Seon Gyeom to do that for himself against his abusive father too.

Seeing Ki Seon Gyeom’s behavior thus far in the show, it was the first time in my life that I saw another character has much of the same trauma I’ve endured with the same mannerisms. He was resilient, well, him and the three other leads. They all had resiliency around them, excelling in their areas in very unlikely situations.

Resilient is a word I often get told to me when I’ve shared my story and traumas. I wouldn’t want someone to be resilient if they had to endure the pain I’ve gone through. It’s like telling someone who lost a game “You lost but that was a great game.” Sure, they did great. But the end result doesn’t change. They still lost. Those words still drive me crazy (internally) whenever I walk off the court after a loss. The results are what they are, but even if the results are not in my favor, was the journey at least worth it with all of the lessons and experiences it came with? I’m still debating on that thought for myself. I’ve always loved the journey more than the result, but some journeys have taken me more than expected.

Episode 6: 71 minutes

“Of all the things I’ve loved. Why have I not loved myself?” – Ki Seon Gyeom

Episode Preview/Summary: Ki Seon Gyoem joins the unemployment force. In the face of this major life change, Ki Seon Gyeom finally has space to breathe and think about how he’s been living his life so far. An opportunity also springs up for him to spend more time with Oh Mi Joo, which leads to them slowly learning each other’s ways. Seo Dan Ah convinces Lee Yeong Hwa to submit his painting to her famous gallery.

On those journeys, we meet new people. People come into our lives for a reason. There must have been a reason why we ran into each other. Weirdly enough, getting into my first-ever relationship did that for me. It taught me how to love myself. It showed me what love is. How much it can hurt and heal us at the same time. How fragile and delicate it can be. It is bittersweet that some of the happiest moments I’ve endured are also some of the ones that have hurt me the most. Saying goodbye to my biological mother after spending a month with her was one of the most difficult moments of my life. How do you say goodbye to someone who was supposed to be part of your life? To someone that should have been there all of my life?

I’ve loved myself from time to time growing up but I rarely made myself a priority. I pushed myself to do better in the aspects of my life that I deemed important but in that process, I ended up being alienated by my Hmong classmates in my graduating class. Whether that is taking more difficult courses or putting in the extra time to make things work. So, even if I was alienated, at least I was somewhat happy. I thought loving yourself was this whole complex thing but it’s actually quite simple. Just gotta love where I am right now in my life, what I am doing, and how I am doing it. I think those are the essentials of being able to love yourself. Even if I have to learn it late, at least I can continue to work on it. It’s like putting together a puzzle, each piece is something new about loving yourself.

Episode 7: 70 minutes

“Why are you outside if you have nowhere to go?” “Because I think it’s time to leave. I wanted to practice.” – Ki Seon Gyeom and Lee Yeong Hwa

Episode Preview/Summary: Oh Mi Joo gets angry at Ki Seon Gyeom when he fails to return home one day from a night out drinking with Lee Yeong Hwa. Ki Seon Gyeom and Oh Mi Joo’s wires are crossed and are now hitting an unexpected snag in their developing relationship. Although it’s clear to anyone how much they care about each other, they’ll need to figure out how to communicate effectively if there’s hope for them to have the kind of rapport they deserve. Lee Yeong Hwa continues to nag Seo Dan Ah for her to visit him.

Usually, I like to plan ahead for what I’m going to do. If it’s something I’m already planning on doing, I try to practice if it is possible. Even if it is something uncomfortable like distancing myself from someone or preparing for a confrontation. But even though we plan ahead for things, the plan doesn’t always work how we want. So instead we resort to being stubborn toward the goal but be flexible on the plan. Which, now that I think about it, sounds like trying to get to the prize on a treasure map.

I didn’t plan to be in my sixth year of college, but here I am. It feels weird seeing my students graduate before me. I’m proud of them for completing their college journey, and I’ll be joining them soon. I was working to fit the expectations and hopes of someone else’s timeline when the most important timeline I should’ve prioritized was my own. I didn’t learn that until my senior year of college.

Dropping out has been on my mind this past year though. I’m so close to completing my degree and yet I feel this sheer weight burnt just shackling me down. I’ve never been one to believe in burnout but I’ve experienced it since the start of my fifth year and it has gotten worse over time. Now, I’m just trying to do my best to make it to the finish line. “If it is hard, you can stop at any time. No one will blame you.” I’ve been told those words before and when I watched Run On, I contemplated whether I should stop or keep running.

Episode 8: 69 minutes

“You feel safe only when you’re part of a group as a kid and as an adult, you live in fear of being ostracized.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: A work opportunity takes Oh Mi Joo out of the city, and the brief time Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom spend apart serves to bring them closer together. Lee Yeong Hwa clears up the misunderstanding between him and Ki Seon Gyeom’s night out to Oh Mi Joo. Seo Dan Ah’s protective walls against Lee Yeong Hwa begin to crumble.

I’ve been told that I have a resting bitch face, which I totally agree that I have. Mixing that in with my baby face creates a weird mixture. I look like a cute boy who doesn’t seem approachable because I just look like I’m miserable. I used to feel insecure about that but now I just embrace it. If someone is going to interact with me, I want them to approach me because of who I am and not what my outside perception is.

People are going to have their perceptions of me and who I am no matter where I go in life. I used to care so much about my reputation, but I stopped worrying about it. I care more about what my character is rather than what they think my reputation is. My character is who I am as opposed to my reputation is how people view me. 

I think most people want to be understood and have their thoughts and feelings validated. With everyone being unique and different, we conform in ways to fit in with our environment or upbringing just to be “accepted.” I think people just have to decide for themselves if fitting in at the cost of their individuality is worth more than being independent but retaining their genuine selves. And in the end, was it worth it?

Episode 9: 71 minutes

“Once you see the credits, you’ll realize why you put up with so much. Names of others who were in the same boat will show up as well. You’ll know how exhausting and strenuous it was.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom make some progress with their reconciliation and work hard to get on the same page with each other. As soon as they take one step forward, it seems they always take two steps back. This episode is big on lessons about the power of a single word, and how difficult communication can be, especially when emotions are raw. A big case of intent versus impact. Lee Yeong Hwa becomes impulsive during an argument with Seo Dan Ah and her real nature comes out.

Just like at the end of each semester. It feels short, it is only 16 weeks but in the end, after all of the trials and tribulations, there is just a big sigh of relief that overcomes everyone it seems. You blink once or twice and boom, the beginning of the semester flew by and you’re already in a dead week swamped with assignments, papers, projects, and exams to complete.

It makes me think about the times I’ve said goodbye to good friends. On the night before graduation in my sophomore year and junior year of school, after I turned out the light and went to lie on my bed, I couldn’t sleep. I stayed awake thinking, “Wow… After graduation tomorrow, they’ll be gone. I probably will never see some of them ever again.” They gave me so much joy in my life and the thought of continuing high school without them and their enthusiasm was disheartening to the point where I wept. I was selfish in wanting them to stay, which I don’t have an entitled right to but I felt like with my friends who were seniors and juniors leaving, my journey itself seemed mysteriously lost some of its meaning.

I wonder if graduation from college will feel like that. A college education is important and I’ve been grateful for all the knowledge I’ve learned. I just hope that the end credits of graduation will give me fulfillment. Would it be a waste if I somehow didn’t experience those feelings at the end? I wonder if older people who went through this strenuous journey also had these questions too when they were close to being done.

Episode 10: 71 minutes

“Why are you saying that here? Try it first. If it doesn’t work, you can give up then.” Ki Seon Gyeom

Episode Preview/Summary: Spoilers! Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom are officially together! It only took ten episodes… One couple is doing great and the other one is in shambles. Confessing is never easy, whether it is in relationships or careers, but the main four quartets learn how to muster up the courage to admit their innermost thoughts and fears. Emotions rise as they struggle to understand each other’s feelings, but learning to communicate is necessary if they want to move forward together.  Looking to figure out what went wrong, Seo Dan Ah seeks out help from Oh Mi Joo. Lee Yeong Hwa turns to Ki Seon Gyeom to help with paying rent for the next month.

I feel like trying out something first and seeing if we’ll like it very much is brave for people. I’m part of that too. I like new experiences but the thought of the worst-case scenario in the end result of me not liking something scares me as well. But it’s such a good feeling to actually like something after trying it. Or if the end result is not good, hopefully, at least the process of getting there will be good and enjoyable.

The thought and action of starting something but not knowing if it will succeed are daunting. I think some people are too quick to give up without trying first. There’s nothing too bad about trying, maybe just the time (and if there is money involved) that someone won’t get back. But it’ll either “work or not work,” or in some cases, it is either a “yes or no.” And if we’re lucky, it could be a “maybe.” Study abroad in Seoul, South Korea. I felt like that was one of the biggest challenges I endured in college, I legitimately didn’t know if I was going to succeed. The only thing I had was my determination.

Studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea at Yonsei University was surreal in that I couldn’t believe I was actually there living away from home and in a foreign country. It was my goal to study abroad ever since I entered college, that was something I wanted to do as part of my college career. I had friends and people who also wanted to study abroad too but they never followed through with those words. I feel like the difference that separated me from my friends who also had that aspiration is conviction. I didn’t have more wealth or resources compared to my friends and people who were better off. But I had the drive and determination to seek out the things I needed to obtain my dream. I think that is a life component that separates others, seeing if they have the conviction to follow through on their words and actions.

Episode 11: 70 minutes

“I was aware of what I did and didn’t need. If I never had it, I wasn’t greedy. If I still wanted it, I got something similar, even if it was fake. ” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Ki Seon Gyeom becomes Kim Woo Sik’s personal agent and trainer. Ki Seon Gyeom and Oh Mi Joo are exploring their new relationship with all the joy and freedom of two young semi-employed folks. Things aren’t going so smoothly for the second lead, though, as Lee Yeong Hwa tries to keep his distance, and Seo Dan Ah begins to understand why she admires Lee Yeong Hwa.

I say that with full belief in it, but at times, my belief has been challenged and made me reevaluate. Even with my conviction, effort, hope, faith, and support. I will still fall, crash, stumble, cry, and make mistakes because I am clumsy and still have many things to learn. I’ve learned that we can only travel for so long until we need someone to lean on. We’re not supposed to know everything in life.

The feeling of being content. It’s a very frustrating feeling for me personally. On the one hand, you’re happy with where you are in life. Which is great, no extra stress or lingering regrets. But I also have this other perspective about content. If I’m content, does that mean I don’t want to seek improvement anymore? Content means being comfortable. And being comfortable means I start to let my guard down.

I think it’s because I’ve been living in a constant fight or flight state that it is difficult for me to just let things be and finally let my guard down. I still have so much to learn and improve upon, I shouldn’t allow myself to feel content. I feel like if I become content that would become a weakness. But then, when will I ever let myself decide that what I’ve done is enough?

Episode 12: 69 minutes

“Only I can make myself feel better because they are my feelings. How can I make you go through that? That’s abuse.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Spoiler! The second leads finally are official too! It only took twelve episodes… Seo Dan Ah finally gives in to what she really wants but the most difficult thing is whether she’s willing to let herself have it. Lee Yeong Hwa is just overjoyed about this whole situation. The roles are switched, the second leads are now happy but Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom hit the first hurdle in their relationship, will their relationship survive this?

It’s amazing to see what having a healthy mindset can do for a person. When I don’t overthink and just live life and have confidence in myself and my actions. It makes me feel as if I’m on a runner’s high and I can achieve most things I want. 

One weakness I had to work on a lot in high school is belief in myself. Funny how sometimes we let other people’s words and opinions dictate how we feel and view ourselves. When the only person who knows you the best is well, yourself. With that said, I think having things in moderation is the best. Listening to ourselves is great as we know how we feel best but the words from someone important give good insight and perspective too in handling life decisions.

Episode 13: 70 minutes

“I sometimes feel like I do not deserve him. When I am with him, I sometimes end up being faced with my flaws. And I lose focus on my work. Love is great but I never want to lose focus on my work no matter what happens. It is kind of like losing myself.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Ki Seon Gyeom and Oh Mi Joo decide to take a break from each other but they miss each other dearly. The problems between them aren’t so easily solved, and life still makes demands when you keep moving forward, even while being hurt. Seo Dan Ah and Lee Yeong Hwa are full of sunshine and laughter as they navigate their brand-new relationship. A birthday party became filled with more surprises than anticipated.

One of those things that I received the best advice for is finding the work that we’re most passionate about. The sense of fulfillment and calmness when a person finds their “purpose” or “spark” that feeling is so precious. No explanations or great debates are needed. Just a sense of comfort knowing this is where you are supposed to be and this is what you’re meant to do. I think it also comes down to loving yourself and defining what that means to you individually.

Episode 14: 71 minutes

“Who do you think will end up living with me forever? No, it’s me. Myself. And in your case, it is you. So, you need to take good care of yourself and fix yourself whenever something breaks.” – Oh Mi Joo

Episode Preview/Summary: Oh Mi Joo gets the perfect script to help her muddle through what life throws at her. Ki Seon Gyeom struggles to keep his father out of his work. Seo Dan Ah struggles with accumulating stress that not even a sweet seaside date in Lee Yeong Hwa’s hometown can soothe.

It is an easy concept to understand, and yet some people don’t figure it out until later in life. The most time we’ll spend in life is with ourselves, so it’s better to find ways to love who we are. It will make life a bit more bearable. The waves won’t wash us away, the earthquakes won’t tear us down, and the winds won’t hinder us. I’m less harsh on myself now when I make mistakes. If I were to use the words I say to myself when I make mistakes with my friends, I would probably never have friends ever again. If I know that to be true then I shouldn’t use those words on myself too. Treating myself better now, that’s the bottom line.

Episode 15: 65 minutes

“You can stay where you are. I’m going to keep some distance so that I can always see you. If I’m too far, I can’t see you. If I’m too close, you’ll block my field of vision.” – Lee Yeong Hwa

Episode Preview/Summary: Love is in the air, but a dark cloud lingers above the main quartet, it seems like family problems are rearing their ugly heads. The leads have learned to stop running away and instead step toward what they want. Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom help out Ki Seon Gyeom’s older sister Ki Eun Bi. Seo Dan Ah let go of Lee Yeong Hwa.

In treating myself better, it is necessary for me to not get tunnel vision in life. It’s fun to want something difficult to obtain, it makes life more enjoyable. Life wouldn’t be fun if everything was easy to obtain and effortless. So even if the treasure map and the puzzle take longer to complete, I know it will be worth it in the end. Because I made it into something important to me.

Episode 16: 70 minutes

“They say we all have a jewelry box we want to keep to ourselves. What’s in it doesn’t always have to be jewelry though. It can be sea glass you found at the beach, a shell, or it can be a button from someone’s school uniform. Anything that can be a memory. Something that serves as a sparkling memory that I keep in a jewelry box only I can open. It’s a way of saving the precious moment you might never get to experience again.” – Bartender

Episode Preview/Summary: The end has arrived, and Run On decides what a happy ending looks like for the two couples and all of their friends and family. Oh Mi Joo and Ki Seon Gyeom now speak the same language. Seo Dan Ah and Lee Yeong Hwa agree on the status of their relationship and both achieve their goals.

I understand that everybody has a different type of struggle that they must go through and that’s reasonable. I too, like many others, believe that their own struggle was unique and different. It is the people and lessons through those experiences that make those hardships worth it. We find who we can trust, and who cares about us, and we learn from it. Coming to college has done that for me. As much as I love the things I’ve learned, it is the people that I have met that both made my experience great and at times, horrible. I’m happy to say that my jewelry box is filled to the brim, it’s like an extra-large suitcase just overflowing. I think one big idea I came away with after watching Run On is that even after all the hardships and trials they have endured, they keep on running.