RUNNING MAN in Manila was a dream that finally became a reality!

RUNNING MAN: A DECADE OF LAUGHTER 2023 IN MANILA was a realization of a decade-long dream for many fans of the long-running South Korean variety show. For the first time since the show’s birth in 2010, the cast of Running Man met their beloved Runners in the Philippines — unlocking new core memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Thousands of fans gathered last April 1 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena with excitement, a tinge of nervousness, and an effort to let the feeling finally sink in that — after three years since the initial event announcement and after delays brought by the CoViD-19 pandemic — it is happening. When the lights dimmed to signal the start of the show, thunderous cheers enveloped the arena which grew louder as Yoo Jae Suk sang his way on stage to the tune of BtoB’s “Missing You”, waving and bowing to everyone. One after the other, the other members entered the stage to continue the serenade.

Yoo Jae Suk, Jee Suk Jin, Kim Jong Kook, HaHa, Song Ji Hyo, Yang Se Chan, and Jeon So Min looked on tenderly with grateful smiles on their faces as they waved and bowed to the fans who reciprocated the gestures with cheers and excited waves. The night’s hosts Ryan Bang and Kring Kim initiated the official welcome to the fan meeting event and gave the members the chance to say their personal greetings to their Runners.

Their greetings are filled with expressions of gratitude and admiration as well as joy at witnessing the fan meeting come to fruition. And in a typical Philippine concert/event crowd flair, the crowd made sure that their favorite stars knew how happy they were with cheers ringing out loudly and proudly.

The fan event highlighted the close bond between the members that developed over the many years they have spent together. Running Man will mark its 13th anniversary in July of this year after premiering on July 11, 2010. The cast members maintained a humble and appreciative attitude despite the show’s enormous popularity and success, as evidenced by their interactions with the audience and the seemingly unending “thank yous” they give with each opportunity they have.

The fan meeting also allowed Filipino fans to witness firsthand how the cast play games. Yoo Jae Suk, Jee Suk Jin, Kim Jong Kook, HaHa, Song Ji Hyo, Yang Se Chan, and Jeon So Min took on the challenges— the relay game and the K-Pop dance quiz— with Runners. Kim Jong Kook and his partner triumphantly overcame the relay game in 23 seconds. The victory gifted Kim Jong Kook’s partner with signed personal items of the members. Meanwhile, the K-Pop dance quiz divided the members into two teams and an intense dance quiz ensued with both teams earning two points. As a prize, the Runners took Polaroid photos with the members.

But the thrill never subsided, and the treats kept coming with performances from the Running Man ensemble. With the 2017 song “Artist” by Zico, Yang Se Chan opened the performances. Afterwards, to everyone’s amazement, Ji Suk Jin performed “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino. In response to the wonderful present, Filipino Runners sang along to Big-Nosed hyungnim. With her rendition of the boy band’s 2015 hit song “My Home,” Jeon So Min, who has acknowledged being a fan of 2PM, made every Hottest proud.

The fan meeting also welcomed a special appearance from Yoo San Seul (Yoo Jae Suk’s trot singer alter ego) who gave a hyped stage of “Redevelopment of Love”. The hype continued to flourish as HaHa took the stage with M. Tyson for a mash-up of RGP’s songs, such as “Don’t Laugh” and “DANG DIGGI BANG”. Song Ji Hyo then gave the most adorable performance of Brave Girls’ hit song “Rollin'”. Concluding the individual stages, Kim Jong Kook serenaded Manila with Adele’s “Easy On Me” and his 2004 song from his Evolution album, “One Man”.

Song Ji Hyo and Jeon So Min returned on stage with IVE’s “Love Dive”, which was then followed by a sentimental stage of “Raise Your Voice” by HaHa and Kim Jong Kook. Yoo Jae Suk, Ji Suk Jin, and Jeon So Min took the baton next with “Confession of Your Love”.

The sweetness of the evening persisted with a duet between the show’s youngest members Jeon So Min and Yang Se Chan who reminded everyone at the venue of the sweetness of first love with their rendition of Reply 1997‘s original soundtrack “All for You”. The duet stages continued with Ji Suk Jin and Song Ji Hyo’s “Don’t Give”, originally performed by Loco and Mamamoo’s Hwasa. Closing the performances, Yoo Jae Suk, Kim Jong Kook, HaHa, and Yang Se Chan let out their hip-hop sides as they danced and rapped to “New Thing”, Zico’s viral song from Street Man Fighter.

The members then took a moment to deliver their heartfelt messages to Filipino Runners, expressing their joy to have had the chance to meet Filipino Runners and promising to come back. And gratitude goes both ways. Filipino Runners prepared a special video message to the people who comforted them and made them happy even in the most difficult of times. It was an emotional and beautiful moment shared by everyone at the arena.

WE WAITED FOR SO LONG, BUT IT WAS WORTH IT. BECAUSE NOW WE CAN TELL YOU, THAT APART FROM A DECADE OF LAUGHTER, YOU’VE GIVEN US SO MUCH MORE. WE WILL KEEP ON RUNNING WITH YOU. MARAMING SALAMAT, RUNNING MAN.

FILIPINO RUNNERS

Before officially saying their goodbyes, the members performed Kim Jong Kook’s “Loveable”, Running Man theme song “I Like It”, RGP’s “Busan Vacance”, and Yoo San Seul’s “Redevelopment of Love”.

RUNNING MAN: A DECADE OF LAUGHTER 2023 IN MANILA ended with heartfelt gratitude and promises of meeting again. It was truly a realization of a dream, a memory that will be treasured for a lifetime, a story that will be written filled with moments of happiness and appreciation, and a promise to keep running together.

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RUNNING MAN: A DECADE OF LAUGHTER 2023 IN MANILA was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World for the invitation to the event.