Running Man (Korean: 런닝맨)

Running Man (Korean: 런닝맨) is a South Korean variety show; a part of SBS's Good Sunday lineup, along with K-pop Star. It was first aired on July 11, 2010. This show is classified as an "urban action variety"; a never-before-seen new genre of variety shows. The MCs and guests complete missions in a landmark to win the race. It has garnered attention as being the come-back program for Yu Jae-suk, the main MC of the program, after leaving Good Sunday's Family Outing in February 2010.

Cast

The original members of Running Man are Yu Jae-suk, Ji Suk-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Ha-ha, Lee Kwang-su, Song Joong-ki, and Gary. Song Ji-hyo was originally a guest for the second (episode 2-3) and third landmark (episode 4-5). She officially joined the program in the fourth landmark (episode 6) but was unable to attend until the fifth landmark (episode 7). Lizzy was also originally a guest for the eleventh (episode 13) and twelfth landmark (episode 14). She officially joined the program in the sixteenth landmark (episode 18). However, she has not been seen since episode 26. In February 2011, it was revealed that she was only a long-term guest and has left the program. Producer Jo Hyo-jin has stated that she is welcome to return at any time. In April 2011, Song Joong-ki recorded his last episode and as of May, and has left the program to focus on his acting career but returned on episode 66 as a guest after leaving for almost half a year.

Current cast

Name:

Yu Jae-suk

Nickname(s)

Yu-ruce Willis (유르스 윌리스)

Yu-hyuk (유혁)

Yu-mes Bond (유임스 본드)

Grasshopper (메뚜기)

Note:

The main host of the show and known during the race missions for his escaping abilities. He is shown to have a closer relationship with a lot of the guests on the show, which he often boasts about to the other members. He is also often referenced to the color green throughout the show and is also known for his nickname "Grasshopper" from his first television appearance. Although initially a weak player during the race missions, he later becomes one of the more stronger players later in the series.

Name:

Gary

Nickname(s)

Peaceful Gary (평온개리)

Gae-colas Cage (개콜라스 케이지)

Note:

Introduced alongside Lee Kwang-su and Song Joong-ki as one of the "variety rookies" due to his lack of experience on variety shows prior to Running Man. He is shown as the most gullible and is easily fooled by the other members. Throughout the series, he has been involved in the primary loveline of the show alongside Song Ji-hyo. Although shown to be quite clueless at times, he is shown to be quite strong during the race missions even managing to win both special race missions in order to find the best Running Man and winning a trip to Europe.

Name:

Ha-ha

Nickname(s)

Ha-roro (하로로)

Ha-rad Pitt (하래드 피트)

Penguin (펭귄)

Note:

The primary joker of the cast and is usually picked on by other members because of his height and his similar appearance to Pororo the Little Penguin. He also has a tendency to feel as though he is the main lead into a movie created by his imagination. When things don't go his way, he lashes out verbally, causing great laughter among the cast. He is also the playboy of the cast, as he always confesses his love to female guests. He was initially a weak player during the race missions, occasionally being picked on even while on the chasing team, however he slowly improves over the course of the show.

Name:

Ji Suk-jin

Nickname(s)

Big Nose Older Brother (왕코형님)

Sunflower (해바라기)

Impala (임팔라)

Note:

The oldest member of the show and one of Yu Jae-suk's closest friends, knowing each other for more than 20 years. He is shown to be jealous of the good relationship between Yu Jae-suk and Kim Jong-kook. During the race missions, he is shown to be one of the weakest members and is the easiest and most frequently eliminated out of the cast.

Name:

Kim Jong-kook

Nickname(s)

Sparta-kook (스파르타국스)

Commander (능력자)

Kookie~♥^^ (꾹이~♥^^)

Tiger (호랑이)

Note:

The strongest man on the show, Kim Jong-kook is known for his strength and skill during the race missions. During the missions, he is known for his sudden appearances that are often accompanied by the soundbite "Sparta!" taken from the movie, 300. His smart tactics are often successful to eliminate the other members and as a result, he is known for having both brains and brawn. He is also shown at times to act cute and show off his "aegyo". His only apparent weakness is women and he is often teased for having a particular fondness towards Yoon Eun-hye.

Name:

Lee Kwang-su

Nickname(s)

Framer Kwang-su (모함광수)

Kwang-vatar (광바타)

Kwang-potter (광포터)

Giraffe (기린)

Note:

The youngest member of the cast and initially introduced alongside Gary and Song Joong-ki as one of the "variety rookies" due to his lack of experience on variety shows prior to Running Man. During the earlier episodes he was known for framing his fellow members with embarassing and often absurd rumours. He is often picked on by the rest of the cast, particularly Kim Jong-kook, due to his timid nature as well as similar appearance to the Na'vi species from Avatar. He is one of the weakest players during and is often one of the first to be eliminated during race missions. He is also known for his height, standing at 6 foot 4 tall.

Name:

Song Ji-hyo

Nickname(s)

Song Ji-yok (송지욕)

Mong Ji-hyo (멍지효)

Ace (에이스)

Note:

The only current female member of the show and initially only appeared as a guest but was added to the main cast in episode 6. During the earlier episodes, Song Ji-hyo was often known to swear during broacasts especially towards Ha-ha and Lee Kwang-su. She is also known to be often seen with confused or blank facial expressions a lot of the time. Throughout the series, she has been involved in the primary loveline of the show alongside Gary. She is one of the strongest players during race missions with similar running and catching capabilities as well as comparable intelligence to Kim Jong-kook.

Former cast

Name:

Song Joong-ki

Nickname(s)

Flower Joong-ki (꽃중기)

Brain Joong-ki (브레인 중기)

Active Young Man (적극청년)

Note:

Introduced alongside Gary and Lee Kwang-su as one of the "variety rookies" due to his lack of experience on variety shows prior to Running Man. He is shown as being the smartest and also having the best looks out of the cast. He is known for being able to figure out puzzles and strategize during the race missions. He is also shown to be very optimistic and is often seen attempting new things but ultimately failing. As of episode 41, he has left the main cast to focus on his acting career. However, he reappeared in episode 66 as a guest which caught the other members by surprise and also in episode 71 in a short cameo as part of his promotion for the drama, Deep Rooted Tree.

Name:

Lizzy

Note:

Initially appeared as a guest in episodes 13 and 14, but later joined the main cast in episode 18. Lizzy is known for her cute looks and "aegyo". She is also shown to have a country accent when speaking Korean since she is from Busan where they have a slight accent. As of episode 26, Lizzy has left Running Man due to scheduling conflicts between the show and After School activities.