With its first episode airing last July 2010, Running Man is currently the longest-running variety show airing in SBS. What started out as an “urban action variety” in Korea has blown up to be a global sensation with versions of the program in China, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
With 10 years (and more, for some cast members) on the air, the regular cast of Running Man has built a loyal fanbase from all ages and nationalities, making it possible for them to tour around Asia for their fanmeets. But have you ever wondered what they do outside Running Man? Read on to get to know them more.
Ji Suk Jin
Known fondly as Big Nose, the eldest member of the cast debuted as a singer in 1992, but gained more popularity as a comedian and entertainer. Aside from Running Man, he is most well-known as the MC of Star Golden Bell, which ran from 2004 to 2010. He also hosted his own afternoon radio show 2’O Clock Date until 2019, and has recorded OSTs and gained attention with his rendition of songs such as 童话 (Fairy Tale) and All of Me during their previous stops. While he’s not uploading videos for his Youtube channel, he can also be seen as a guest on other Korean varieties. One of those varieties is MBC’s Hangout With Yoo, where he debuted as a member of super project group MSG Wannabe. Check out his performance for Foolish Love as part of its sub-unit M.O.M.
Yoo Jaeseok
Yoo Jaeseok, better known as the Nation’s MC, has taken over the local Korean TV scene, having hosted variety shows like X-Man, Family Outing, Infinite Challenge, and Happy Together, to name a few. Currently, he also hosts tvN’s Sixth Sense 2, and MBC’s Hangout With Yoo, where he debuted as trot singer Yoo Sanseul in 2019, and as a member of SSAK3 alongside Rain and Lee Hyori in 2020. Aside from hosting, he has also featured in music videos and performances with notable musicians such as PSY, Soran, and EXO. Check out SSAK3’s MV for Beach Again below.
Kim Jongkook
Jongkook started his career as part of idol duo group TURBO, debuting under Maroo Entertainment in 1995 before debuting as a solo singer after the group’s disbandment in 2000. One of the most associated songs with him is 2003’s Loveable, which won him the Artist of the Year Daesangs from all three major broadcasting stations (KBS, MBC, SBS). He was the second ever artist to accomplish this feat after Cho Yongpil in the 1980s. Outside of music, he has been a regular of several variety shows, such as X-Man, Family Outing, and My Little Old Boy. He also has his own Youtube channel, GYM JONG KOOK, where he posts weekly videos. He has also released a collab song with idol group ATEEZ called Be My Lover.
Haha
Ha Donghoon or HaHa, debuted as a singer and rapper with boyband Jikiri in 2001, but the group disbanded soon after failing to get popular. HaHa then quickly made the jump to television, gaining recognition for his acting and comedy skills. He then gained regular cast spots in X-Man and Infinite Challenge, and hosted shows such as What’s up YO! and Ya Man TV. Aside from being an entertainer, he rekindled his music career over the years, debuting as part of duo reggae group RGP, and featuring in music videos of Leessang, PSY, and TURBO. He currently has his own Youtube channel, HAHA PD, where he posts content ranging from vlogs to videos of his eldest son Dream. Check out this clip of Dream trying to pick his favorite Running Man uncle!
Song Ji Hyo
We all know Song Ji Hyo (born Cheon Seong-im, but changed to Cheon Soo-yeon in 2017) as the Ace of Running Man, but outside the show she is a successful actress who has starred in various dramas and movies. She debuted in 2003 in the horror film Wishing Stairs, followed by her TV debut with popular kdramas Princess Hours and Jumong. She then gained more recognition for roles in Frozen Flower, Emergency Couple, and Was It Love. She was also cast in the Chinese version of We Got Married with Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin, and co-hosted the program Pajama Friends. Check her out in the recently concluded web drama The Witch’s Diner as the witch Jo Hee-ra who fulfills wishes in exchange for a person’s most precious thing in life.
Jeon Somin
Like Jihyo, Somin is a successful actress who made her acting debut back in 2004 with the sitcom Miracle. She then gained popularity when she landed the lead role for Princess Aurora in 2013, where she won the ‘Best New Actress Award’. She has since starred in numerous roles for films and dramas such as Cross and Something about 1 Percent before landing a spot to be part of the regular cast of Running Man in April 2017. She then released her first book in January 2020, titled You Can Call Me After A Drink. Aside from Running Man, she is also a regular on tvN’s Sixth Sense 2 with fellow cast-mate Yoo Jaesuk. Check out Somin as she plays Ri Ae, a woman who has everything but has her share of unfilled dreams in The Name.
Yang Se Chan
Sechan joined the Running Man cast together with Somin last 2017, but he was no stranger to the variety scene. As a comedian and TV personality, he has been part of the show Comedy Big League since 2012 as one of the cast members, was coupled with Park Na Rae in We Got Married, and participated as a guest in Battle Trip. He currently has a shared Youtube channel, YANG SE BROTHERS, with Yang Sehyung. Check out some of his clips from tvN’s DoReMi Market.
Head over to Tiktok on September 5, 2021, 6PM PST and join in on 2 hours of fun with our beloved Running Man cast at their online fanmeet. Ticket sales are currently ongoing from July 16 to September 3 through SM TICKETS (www.smtickets.com) or MINI MALL PH (www.minimall.ph).
Special thanks to Jenina Cunanan for contributing to this article.
