Shows Like Running Man

Frequently asked about Running Man

Common questions people search for, with answers written by us at MoviesPack.

• What is the core objective of the name-tag elimination game in Running Man?▾

  Each cast member wears a name tag on their back, and the goal is to rip off opponents' name tags while protecting your own. Once a player's name tag is torn off, they are eliminated from the game. The mechanic is borrowed from classic Korean children's chasing games and forms the backbone of most mission finales.

• Why is Yoo Jae-suk's character called the 'Grasshopper' in the show?▾

  Yoo Jae-suk earned the nickname 'Grasshopper' early in the series due to his lanky build, quick reflexes, and tendency to leap away from danger during name-tag ripping battles. The nickname became a recurring in-joke and part of his on-screen persona, contrasting with his off-screen reputation as South Korea's top MC. Each cast member received a distinct character alias to build narrative identity across episodes.

• What is the significance of the 'Monday Couple' storyline between Gary and Song Ji-hyo?▾

  The 'Monday Couple' was a fan-coined term for the playful romantic chemistry between Gary (Kang Hee-gun) and Song Ji-hyo, which developed organically through game missions and banter over many episodes. The pairing became one of the show's most beloved recurring arcs, with writers incorporating missions and scenarios that played on their fictional relationship. Gary's departure from the show in 2016 effectively ended the storyline, and it remains a defining piece of Running Man lore for longtime fans.

• How do the 'spy' missions work, and why are cast members' alliances constantly shifting?▾

  In spy missions, one or more cast members are secretly designated as traitors at the start of an episode and given covert objectives — such as ensuring the team fails its main mission or eliminating specific players — without other members knowing. Because any cast member could be the spy, genuine suspicion and constantly shifting alliances are built into every interaction. The format mirrors social-deduction games and is deliberately designed so that even loyal cast members may appear suspicious, creating tension that drives the episode's narrative.

• What happened during the 2017 crisis that nearly ended the show, and how did the cast change?▾

  In 2016–2017, SBS announced plans to cancel Running Man following a significant ratings decline and internal conflicts, including controversy over the proposed addition of new cast members to replace original members Kang Gary and Song Joong-ki, who had already left. Public backlash was intense enough that the cancellation was reversed, but the show underwent a major restructuring: Gary officially departed, and new members Lee Kwang-soo's role was reframed while new cast additions were integrated. The revamp shifted the show's format to include more narrative-driven missions and celebrity guest storylines to recapture its earlier momentum.