All about Running Man

Running Man is a South Korean variety show, but don't let that simple title fool you. It's one of the most rip-roaring variety shows you will ever watch. Running Man brings the viewer (you) to different landmarks in different parts of Korea (and even to China, Hong Kong and Thailand in a few special episodes), engaging in silly but extremely fun games, as the cast regal you with their fantastic interaction and quirky brand of humor.

Running Man has changed its format many times, but each change only brings about more awesomeness. Over the course of its 116 episodes, Running Man has never had a boring moment, or when the cast is not just funny as heck. The PDs (producers of the show) and the writers never fail to come up with amazing scenarios in each episode to make sure things stay fresh. There's always something new in every episode, and even reused games are fun because of the different guests brought in every week.

Let me introduce you to the regular cast of Running Man, along with a few tidbits about them.

Yu Jae-suk

Also known as

Yu-ruce Willis (유르스 윌리스)
Yu-hyuk (유혁)
Yu-imes Bond (유임스 본드)
Grasshopper (메뚜기)

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 appearances. Although initially a weak player during the race missions, he later becomes one of the strongest players in the series, and is, along with Kim Jong-kook, considered to be one of the two main powers in the race missions.

Gary

Also known as
Peaceful Gary (평온개리)
Gae-colas Cage (개콜라스 케이지)
Monday Boyfriend (월요남친)
Straight-Going Gary (직진개리)
Gary-sswi (개리쒸)

Introduced alongside Lee Kwang-soo 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 member. Throughout the series, he has been involved in the official loveline of the show alongside Song Ji-hyo. Although shown to be quite clueless at times, he is known as "The man full of surprises" and the "dark horse" of Running Man during race missions.

Ha-ha

Also known as
Ha-roro (하로로)
Ha-rad Pitt (하래드 피트)
Penguin (펭귄)
Playboy (난봉꾼)

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 in 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. However, this ended when he became engaged to singer Byul, changing to a "married man" and becoming rough 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 has improved over the course of the show.

Ji Suk-jin

Also known as
Big Nose Older Brother (왕코형님)
Sunflower (해바라기)
Impala (임팔라)
Race Starter (레이스 스타터)

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, so easily that the other members would declare that the race has officially started after his elimination.

Kim Jong-kook

Also known as
Sparta-kooks (스파르타국스)
Commander (능력자)
Kookie (꾹이)
Tiger (호랑이)
Coach Kook (코치국)

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.

Lee Kwang-su

Also known as
Framer Kwang-su (모함광수)
Kwang-vatar (광바타)
Kwang-potter (광포터)
Giraffe (기린)
Icon of Betrayal (배신의 아이콘)

The youngest and tallest 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 embarrassing and often absurd rumours. He is often picked on by the rest of the cast, particularly Kim Jong-kook, due to his timid nature. He is one of the weakest players, often the first to be eliminated during race missions. However, he has grown to easily betray his fellow members without concern.

Song Ji-hyo

Also known as
Song Ji-yok (송지욕)
Blank Ji-hyo (멍지효)
Ace (에이스)
Miss Blank (미스멍)
Bad Ji-hyo (불량지효)
Monday Girlfriend (월요여친)

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 broadcasts 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 official 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 Yu Jae-suk and Kim Jong-kook.

Song Joong-ki

Also known as
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 and also in episode 71 in a short cameo as part of his promotion for the drama, Deep Rooted Tree. He cameoed on episode 97 as a soccer player for the 2012 Asian Dream Cup.