Byeon Woo Seok's Temporal Watches

Byeon Woo Seok’s G-Shock isn’t his only time-traveling watch.

Viewers of the recent acclaimed Korean television drama, “Lovely Runner,” will recognize the significant role of time within the narrative — the protagonist, Im Sol (portrayed by Kim Hye Yoon), travels back in time to rescue her idol, Ryu Sun Jae (played by Byeon Woo Seok), with the assistance of Sun Jae’s enchanted Casio G-Shock model GW-B5600HR-1JF. Notably, Byeon Woo Seok's preference for timepieces closely resembles that of his on-screen character. The "Lovely Runner" protagonist was recently observed wearing various Cartier Santos models on different occasions—watches with a similar silhouette that represent contemporary interpretations of a classic icon.

The GW-B5600HR serves primarily as a time-skip plot device rather than a timekeeping instrument in the drama, however it aptly symbolizes Sol's act of time travel due to its fusion of traditional G-Shock design elements with contemporary features and functionalities. The GW-B5600HR features the distinctive resin 'Square' case design of the DW-5000C, the inaugural G-Shock, together with the renowned unbreakable, shockproof attributes that define the G-Shock brand.

It is also available in a matte-black finish, accented with scarlet-red – a commendable homage to the colors of the original DW-5000C-1A. The GW-B5600HR is equipped with contemporary features, including a solar-rechargeable battery and, most significantly, Bluetooth connectivity, allowing the user to link a smartphone to the watch through an application. Upon pairing, the watch autonomously synchronizes the time by receiving international time signals globally; additionally, the app enables the user to customize world time settings for about 300 cities, including five specified home time zones. The G-Shock GW-B5600 HR epitomizes the traditional watch with a modern twist, seamlessly fitting into both the years 2008-2009, to which Sol journeys, and the present day.

Byeon Woo Seok has demonstrated an exceptional attention to detail regarding watches: his prior selection was the Chanel J12 Chromatic in grey, a 2013 iteration of the brand's foundational J12 collection, which integrates ceramic with titanium in a chrome, mirrored finish—an innovation that was regarded as cutting-edge in case material technology at that time.

Recently, Woo Seok was observed wearing two distinct watches from Cartier’s Santos collection on separate occasions: the Santos Dumont and the Santos de Cartier. Comparable to the G-Shock, Cartier's Santos collection represents a contemporary rendition of Cartier's inaugural men's wristwatch; yet, its design aesthetic has mostly stayed consistent since its debut in 1911—one may surmise that it would appear relatively timeless in both eras. Both timepieces observed on the wrist of the "Lovely Runner" star include the distinctive square case design, along with visible rivets on the bezel and metal band (specifically on the Santos de Cartier). Consequently, the collection has emerged as a fundamental component of Cartier’s contemporary portfolio, exemplifying its versatility: the Santos Dumont (illustrated below) serves as the more formal choice, whereas the Santos de Cartier (depicted above) represents the French maison’s entry into the integrated bracelet sports watch trend. In terms of mechanism, both timepieces showcase the pinnacle of contemporary Cartier craftsmanship—the Santos Dumont is equipped with an ultra-thin mechanical, manual winding movement, and its sportier counterpart houses the robust, in-house 1847 MC automatic winding movement. Given its initial creation for Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont, it is not surprising that the Santos is Woo Seok's preferred clock as his status ascends to new heights.

Both timepieces undeniably belong to distinct categories within the expansive field of horology. Nonetheless, their similarities — angular case shape and heritage-inspired design language with contemporary components — distinguish these watches as among the rare few that embody the elusive quality of timelessness, making them suitable selections for the protagonist of a narrative focused on time travel.