One Year Later: Looking Back at 'Carry On the Dance' Finale - Why Fans Still Can't Get Over the Perfect Ending

The Perfect Ending That Still Resonates One Year Later

It's been exactly one year since tvN's hit drama 'Carry On the Dance' (also known as 'Lovely Runner') aired its final episode on May 28, 2024, and fans are still talking about the perfect conclusion to this time-slip romance. The series, starring Byeon Woo-seok as Ryu Sun-jae and Kim Hye-yoon as Im Sol, captivated audiences with its unique storyline, incredible chemistry between the leads, and a finale that delivered everything viewers could have hoped for.

Looking back at the finale now, it's easy to see why this drama created such a phenomenon. What started as a modest ratings performer eventually blossomed into what fans called the 'Sun-jae syndrome,' with viewership climbing to 5.8% for its final episodes. Even a year later, clips from the show continue to circulate on social media, and both lead actors saw renewed interest in their previous works, with Byeon Woo-seok's film 'Soulmate' getting re-released in theaters and Kim Hye-yoon's drama 'Extraordinary You' enjoying reruns.

The Final Confrontation with Kim Young-soo

The finale opened with high stakes as the storyline with the villain Kim Young-soo finally reached its climax. After pursuing Sun-jae across multiple timelines and attempting to end his life repeatedly, the final confrontation came when Kim Young-soo tried to escape in a taxi. Detective Kim Tae-sung (who had been helping our protagonists) crashed into the side of the taxi to stop it, preventing another tragedy.

Sun-jae collapsed unconscious on the road while Tae-sung attempted to arrest Kim Young-soo. In a desperate attempt to escape, Kim Young-soo pushed Tae-sung away and fled the scene. The chase ended dramatically when Kim Young-soo, while recklessly crossing the street, was hit by a large truck and fell into a river below a bridge, ending his life.

This moment was particularly significant as it finally broke the cycle of tragedy that had followed Sun-jae throughout multiple timelines. With Kim Young-soo's death, the persistent threat that had haunted our protagonists was finally eliminated, allowing them to move forward with their lives without fear.

Sun-jae's Recovered Memories

One of the most emotional moments in the finale came when Sun-jae, who had been taken to the emergency room after collapsing, finally regained all his memories. Throughout the series, Sun-jae had been living with amnesia, unable to remember his past with Sol. The moment when he opened his eyes in the hospital and remembered everything was incredibly powerful.

Meanwhile, Sol, having heard about the accident, rushed to the emergency room, worried that Kim Young-soo might have harmed Sun-jae again. The reunion scene that followed was breathtaking – Sun-jae, now with his memories intact, ran to find Sol, and when they finally met, he embraced her tightly.

When he told her that his memories had returned, Sol burst into tears, and they held each other for a long time before sharing a kiss. This scene perfectly captured the emotional payoff that viewers had been waiting for throughout the entire series.

The Revelation of Subconscious Memory

After returning home, Sun-jae and Sol had a chance to catch up on everything they hadn't been able to discuss. During this conversation, a touching revelation came to light. Sun-jae shared that even when he couldn't remember Sol consciously, his heart never forgot her.

He recalled crying unexpectedly when seeing a necklace in a store window – the same necklace he had given to Sol at an amusement park in their past. This beautiful moment illustrated that while his mind had forgotten, his heart had always remembered her, reinforcing the idea that their connection transcended even memory loss.

Sol's grandmother had once told her that memories don't disappear but rather seep into the soul, and this moment seemed to confirm that wisdom. The scene where Sun-jae placed the necklace around Sol's neck again symbolized their reconnection and the restoration of their bond.

A Blossoming Romance Without Obstacles

With Kim Young-soo no longer a threat, Sun-jae and Sol were finally free to enjoy their relationship without fear. The drama showed several adorable scenes of their dating life, including a cafe scene where Sun-jae caused a stir among female customers while trying to surprise Sol.

Another memorable scene took place in a library, where they playfully bickered while Sol worried about people recognizing Sun-jae. Despite Sun-jae's confidence that no one would recognize him with his disguise, they were hilariously called out by another student who recognized the famous artist immediately.

These light-hearted moments provided a wonderful contrast to the tension that had dominated much of the series, allowing viewers to simply enjoy seeing the couple happy together. The chemistry between Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon shone particularly bright in these scenes, with their natural interactions making fans fall even deeper in love with the pairing.

Sol's Dreams and Sun-jae's Proposal

The finale also showed Sol achieving her dream of becoming a film director. After completing her film project and submitting it to a film festival, she was shown celebrating her success – a beautiful moment of personal achievement alongside her romantic happiness.

The most romantic moment came when Sun-jae and Sol enjoyed a date under cherry blossoms. In this picturesque setting, Sun-jae placed a ring in Sol's hand and asked her to spend all of her time with him from now on. Sol's response was immediate and enthusiastic: "I will! I'll stay by your side for life!"

As they kissed, viewers were treated to a brief glimpse of their wedding ceremony, suggesting their happy future together. When they returned to the present moment, they looked at each other with surprise, both seeming to have experienced the same vision, creating a magical moment that hinted at their destiny being truly intertwined.

Fan Reactions: A Year of Continued Love

Even a year after its conclusion, 'Carry On the Dance' continues to hold a special place in viewers' hearts. Online communities like TheQoo, Instiz, Naver, and DCInside were flooded with positive reactions when the finale aired, with many fans expressing satisfaction with the happy ending.

Comments praised the chemistry between the leads, with one popular comment noting: "The way Byeon Woo-seok looks at Kim Hye-yoon makes me believe in love again." Another frequently upvoted comment stated: "This is how you end a time-slip romance – with absolute certainty and happiness."

The drama's ability to balance its thriller elements with romance was also widely appreciated, though some viewers felt the villain's storyline wrapped up too quickly in the final episode. Nevertheless, the overwhelming consensus was that the finale delivered emotionally, with the leads' reunion and subsequent happiness providing the catharsis viewers craved.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Looking back from 2025, it's clear that 'Carry On the Dance' has secured its place in K-drama history as one of the most beloved time-slip romances. The drama sparked numerous trends, from fashion inspired by Sol's Y2K style to renewed interest in early 2000s music featured in the show.

For international fans, the drama provided not just entertainment but also cultural insights into Korean fan culture of the early 2000s and the evolution of K-pop. The portrayal of Sun-jae as an idol-turned-artist resonated with many international viewers familiar with the trajectory of K-pop idols.

Both lead actors saw their careers significantly boosted by the drama's success. Byeon Woo-seok, who had already been gaining recognition, became a household name, while Kim Hye-yoon further cemented her reputation as a versatile actress capable of carrying complex emotional narratives.

Why the Ending Worked So Well

What made the finale of 'Carry On the Dance' so satisfying was its commitment to giving viewers the happy ending they desired without compromising the integrity of the story. The time-slip element was used not just as a plot device but as a means to explore themes of fate, memory, and the enduring nature of love.

The resolution of the villain storyline, while perhaps rushed, served its purpose in removing the final obstacle to the couple's happiness. More importantly, the finale focused on what viewers cared about most: the emotional journey of Sun-jae and Sol.

By showing Sun-jae regaining his memories and the couple building a future together, the drama provided closure while still leaving viewers with the warm feeling that their story would continue happily beyond the screen. The brief vision of their wedding was the perfect cherry on top, confirming their destiny without needing to show every detail.

Conclusion: A Timeless Love Story

One year later, 'Carry On the Dance' remains a masterclass in how to conclude a romantic drama. Its finale managed to tie up loose ends while still focusing on the emotional core of the story – the love between Sun-jae and Sol that transcended time, memory loss, and repeated tragedy.

For fans who discovered the drama during its original run, the finale provided a satisfying conclusion to their investment in these characters. For those who have discovered it since, the knowledge that the story ends happily makes the journey through the more painful episodes worthwhile.

As we look back on this beautiful drama a year after its conclusion, it's clear why it continues to be recommended among K-drama enthusiasts. In a landscape where bittersweet or open endings are common, 'Carry On the Dance' dared to give viewers exactly what they wanted: a fairy-tale ending for a couple who had overcome extraordinary obstacles to be together. And sometimes, that's exactly the kind of storytelling we need.