Today I want to share with you information regarding my newest obsession, a famous reality TV show in South Korea, Running Man. Seriously, this show is totally funny! Since I just watch it this month, I have to catch up the entire previous episode online (and thanks to my friend zaza for uploading it for me). This show really can be escapism for my stressful day at work. For those who haven’t heard about this
show, click here for more information.
The Cast
a.k.a Yu-ruce Willis (유르스 윌리스) Yu-hyuk (유혁) Yu-mes Bond (유임스 본드) Grasshopper (메뚜기)
This is my favorite character! The main host of the show and known during the race missions for his skill at running away. 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 stronger players later in the series.
Gary
a.k.a Peaceful Gary (평온개리) Gae-colas Cage (개콜라스 케이지)
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.
Ha-ha
a.k.a Ha-roro (하로로) Ha-rad Pitt (하래드 피트)
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, however he slowly improves over the course of the show.
Ji Suk Jin
Big Nose Older Brother (왕코형님) Sunflower (해바라기) Impala (임팔라)
Seriously, Big Nose Hyung can be really annoying sometimes! My least favourite character. 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.
Sparta-kook (스파르타국스) Commander (능력자) Kookie~♥^^ (꾹이~♥^^) Tiger (호랑이)
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 and these 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
Framer Kwang-su (모함광수) Kwang-vatar (광바타) Kwang-potter (광포터) Giraffe (기린)
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 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.
Song Ji-yok (송지욕) Mong Ji-hyo (멍지효) Ace (에이스)
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.
Flower Joong-ki (꽃중기) Brain Joong-ki (브레인 중기) Active Young Man (적극청년)
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.
