Running Man's start to 2017 was rocky. Having to clean up the spillover issues from 2016 and facing cancellation in February 2017, the show was at its lowest point. But with a renewed team of producers and two brand new members in Yang Se-chan and Jeon So-min, Running Man slowly got back its mojo.
Since it's the end of the year, it's definitely a perfect time to take a look back at some of the episodes that stood out in 2017. This is part of a series of posts that is on this blog; starting from 2013. You can check out the other posts here:
As usual, I have to make a note here that what constitutes a "great" Running Man episode (to me, at least) is how entertained I was from watching it. Running Man is, after all, a variety show and variety shows are supposed to be a source of entertainment and laughs. That's what I deem to be a good Running Man episode, and why I chose the episodes in this top 10 list.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 Running Man episodes of 2017, in no particular order. All these episodes selected are based on my very humble opinion, so should you have your own, don't hesitate to leave a comment below!
Guests: No Guests
Technically this should be two episodes, but you wouldn't want to miss out seeing the members going for their punishments after months and months of teasing right? Taking place primarily in Australia and New Zealand, the Half and Half Race showcased the Running Man members enjoying the beauty of Queenstown and Darwin, albeit with two huge looming punishments awaiting them. It's more of a travelogue kind of episode, with plenty of laughs and silly antics by the members, and of course, seeing their reactions when coming face to face with the crocodiles and the Nevis Swing.
Guests: Choi Gwi-hwa, Go Bo-gyeol, Heo Sung-tae and Lee Sang-yeob
Four actors famed for portraying villains join Running Man in this detective, villains and witnesses classic. The four guests play their roles amazingly well, and even to the point where the final twist comes into play. This is an episode in which you can get a feel of the classic Running Man episodes back when they were churning out great episodes and themes, and of course, a great version of the nametag ripping game.
Guests: No Guests
Running Man's blockbuster episodes often have a lot of thrills, chills and enough twists to keep viewers in the dark until the final moment. This episode; featuring ghosts from Running University, took the classic Running Man blockbuster episode to another level with an unexpected twist that left not only the members reeling, but also the audience. You wouldn't want to miss this episode, featuring excellent member chemistry and interactions, and a brilliant storyline that will keep you hooked till the end of the race.
Guests: Im Se-mi, Kim Ji-min, Kim Se-jeong (Gugudan) and Ko Sung-hee
This episode focuses on the Running Man members gunning to be the heir to Running Airline’s wealthy chairman. As simple as it is a concept, the episode is made more difficult by the heiresses; feisty and full of surprises. This episode's strength also comes from the final mission, a nametag ripping mission in which the members have to fight against each other to be the heir. There's a huge twist towards the end which you probably won't see coming either.
Guests: Shin Sung-rok and Yoon Bo-mi (Apink)
Who knew that finding Kwang-soo's assistant could be so epic? The episode focused on the upcoming Cage of Death punishment in Australia, with members given a chance for exemption. It showed a return of form for Running Man, harking back to the glory days of nametag ripping with a gripping storyline. Plus twist after twist after twist would guarantee you stay glued to your seat. It is this kind of episodes that proves that the new team behind Running Man can come up with an equal mix of humor and drama to make an episode brilliant.
Guests: No Guests
After all the uncertainty surrounding Running Man, with news of their cancellation and failure to cast new members, this episode was a welcome breath of fresh air. First, it began with the brand new format of the ultimate punishment "Dangerous Places", which gave subsequent episodes a direction and a theme to go forward. And this episode is also the first to introduce the two new members, Jeon So-min and Yang Se-chan, and show off their individual talents and humor. This episode was where Running Man began to find back its mojo.
Guests: No Guests
Christmas episodes on Running Man generally have a high quality production value, but to keep in line with this year's Running Man theme of twists and turns, the producers have come up with yet another blockbuster episode featuring ghosts, vengeful spirits and humans. You'd probably never see Christmas in the same way again. A note though, the first half of the episode tends to drag on a bit longer, but the actual race is where the fun is.
Guests: Kang Gary
A battle of the supernaturals? Sounds right up Running Man's alley. The 4th Member's Week is a doozy, with so many famous characters from the Running Man members making an appearance; Avatar Kwang-soo, Yoomes Bond, Sherlock Jin, Time Stopper HaHa etc. Of course the episode also features a former member (hint: it's Gary!) who comes back to Running Man to pay his dues for being a fixed cast for 7 years.
Guests: Hong Jin-young, Lee Sun-bin, Lee Tae-hwan (5urprise), Oh Ha-young, Son Na-eun (Apink), Son Yeo-eun
There's something amazing about the quality of guests that come on Running Man on a weekly basis. Guests can make or break the episode, but in this case, the episode was definitely brought alive by these amazing guests who complemented the members so well. Be on the lookout for the segment in which the female guests perform their best skills, with a particular focus on So-min. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at anything on Running Man.
Guests: Girls' Generation
Being idol veterans have certainly done something to the members of Girls' Generation; they've all matured into ladies who no longer have to maintain their image on variety shows, and this latest edition shows why that's good. The episode focuses on the Bad Girls; three members are the bad girls and they're here to wreck havoc on the Running Man members. It's great to see the interaction between the Running Man members and the Girls' Generation members, for all their years of being on the show.
Do you agree with the top 10 list above, or do you think I missed out something, somewhere? Maybe I missed out a favorite episode of yours which you think deserves a spot on this list? Which are YOUR top episodes from 2017? Leave a comment below!
Have a Happy New Year 2017 and Happy Running!
Cheerios!
Since it's the end of the year, it's definitely a perfect time to take a look back at some of the episodes that stood out in 2017. This is part of a series of posts that is on this blog; starting from 2013. You can check out the other posts here:
As usual, I have to make a note here that what constitutes a "great" Running Man episode (to me, at least) is how entertained I was from watching it. Running Man is, after all, a variety show and variety shows are supposed to be a source of entertainment and laughs. That's what I deem to be a good Running Man episode, and why I chose the episodes in this top 10 list.
Without further ado, here are the top 10 Running Man episodes of 2017, in no particular order. All these episodes selected are based on my very humble opinion, so should you have your own, don't hesitate to leave a comment below!
Guests: No Guests
Technically this should be two episodes, but you wouldn't want to miss out seeing the members going for their punishments after months and months of teasing right? Taking place primarily in Australia and New Zealand, the Half and Half Race showcased the Running Man members enjoying the beauty of Queenstown and Darwin, albeit with two huge looming punishments awaiting them. It's more of a travelogue kind of episode, with plenty of laughs and silly antics by the members, and of course, seeing their reactions when coming face to face with the crocodiles and the Nevis Swing.
Guests: Choi Gwi-hwa, Go Bo-gyeol, Heo Sung-tae and Lee Sang-yeob
Four actors famed for portraying villains join Running Man in this detective, villains and witnesses classic. The four guests play their roles amazingly well, and even to the point where the final twist comes into play. This is an episode in which you can get a feel of the classic Running Man episodes back when they were churning out great episodes and themes, and of course, a great version of the nametag ripping game.
Guests: No Guests
Running Man's blockbuster episodes often have a lot of thrills, chills and enough twists to keep viewers in the dark until the final moment. This episode; featuring ghosts from Running University, took the classic Running Man blockbuster episode to another level with an unexpected twist that left not only the members reeling, but also the audience. You wouldn't want to miss this episode, featuring excellent member chemistry and interactions, and a brilliant storyline that will keep you hooked till the end of the race.
Guests: Im Se-mi, Kim Ji-min, Kim Se-jeong (Gugudan) and Ko Sung-hee
This episode focuses on the Running Man members gunning to be the heir to Running Airline’s wealthy chairman. As simple as it is a concept, the episode is made more difficult by the heiresses; feisty and full of surprises. This episode's strength also comes from the final mission, a nametag ripping mission in which the members have to fight against each other to be the heir. There's a huge twist towards the end which you probably won't see coming either.
Guests: Shin Sung-rok and Yoon Bo-mi (Apink)
Who knew that finding Kwang-soo's assistant could be so epic? The episode focused on the upcoming Cage of Death punishment in Australia, with members given a chance for exemption. It showed a return of form for Running Man, harking back to the glory days of nametag ripping with a gripping storyline. Plus twist after twist after twist would guarantee you stay glued to your seat. It is this kind of episodes that proves that the new team behind Running Man can come up with an equal mix of humor and drama to make an episode brilliant.
Guests: No Guests
After all the uncertainty surrounding Running Man, with news of their cancellation and failure to cast new members, this episode was a welcome breath of fresh air. First, it began with the brand new format of the ultimate punishment "Dangerous Places", which gave subsequent episodes a direction and a theme to go forward. And this episode is also the first to introduce the two new members, Jeon So-min and Yang Se-chan, and show off their individual talents and humor. This episode was where Running Man began to find back its mojo.
Guests: No Guests
Christmas episodes on Running Man generally have a high quality production value, but to keep in line with this year's Running Man theme of twists and turns, the producers have come up with yet another blockbuster episode featuring ghosts, vengeful spirits and humans. You'd probably never see Christmas in the same way again. A note though, the first half of the episode tends to drag on a bit longer, but the actual race is where the fun is.
Guests: Kang Gary
A battle of the supernaturals? Sounds right up Running Man's alley. The 4th Member's Week is a doozy, with so many famous characters from the Running Man members making an appearance; Avatar Kwang-soo, Yoomes Bond, Sherlock Jin, Time Stopper HaHa etc. Of course the episode also features a former member (hint: it's Gary!) who comes back to Running Man to pay his dues for being a fixed cast for 7 years.
Guests: Hong Jin-young, Lee Sun-bin, Lee Tae-hwan (5urprise), Oh Ha-young, Son Na-eun (Apink), Son Yeo-eun
There's something amazing about the quality of guests that come on Running Man on a weekly basis. Guests can make or break the episode, but in this case, the episode was definitely brought alive by these amazing guests who complemented the members so well. Be on the lookout for the segment in which the female guests perform their best skills, with a particular focus on So-min. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at anything on Running Man.
Guests: Girls' Generation
Being idol veterans have certainly done something to the members of Girls' Generation; they've all matured into ladies who no longer have to maintain their image on variety shows, and this latest edition shows why that's good. The episode focuses on the Bad Girls; three members are the bad girls and they're here to wreck havoc on the Running Man members. It's great to see the interaction between the Running Man members and the Girls' Generation members, for all their years of being on the show.
Do you agree with the top 10 list above, or do you think I missed out something, somewhere? Maybe I missed out a favorite episode of yours which you think deserves a spot on this list? Which are YOUR top episodes from 2017? Leave a comment below!
Have a Happy New Year 2017 and Happy Running!
Cheerios!
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