Variety Review: Running Man Episode 591

Guests: Pak Seri (professional golfer)

My Entertainment Score: 8 out of 10 laughs

I was expecting this to be a huge snooze-fest, if I’m totally honest. I love sports, but golf isn’t high on my list and I couldn’t see how they could make it funny. I’m glad to say that I was proven quite wrong.

What Happened: 

Theme: Seri and her Birdie Buddy

***Jihyo was absent due to Covid countermeasures though she shows no signs of illness at present and Somin was absent to receive surgery on her broken foot. We’re wishing them both continued good health!!!***

Opening/Guest Introductions (start of episode- 9:00)

The gentlemen were in a highly playful mood without the ladies. *Narrows eyes* 

Race Explanation (9:00- 11:16)

For this race, Seri is the coach. It’s up to her to get the members through the ‘golf course’. At the start of the day, all 5 members are subject to a penalty. As they play, they will earn RM money with which they can purchase exemption cards and the prize. Seri will be given the money and it is completely up to her how the money is distributed among the members. She starts with $100. I’m not going to keep up with the money earned and spent in the spoilers. I’ll just give the final result.

First Mission: Putting Genius (11:16- 27:25)

Each member gets one chance to put on a mini-putting course. There are 3 starting spots. The closest is worth $100 if the member succeeds. The others are $120 and $140 based on their distance.

If Seri thinks one of the members has a chance of getting it with an extra shot, she can pay $10 to give them another shot. As you can imagine with these members, it was a festival of “I can do it! I’ll pay you $50 when I get…just give me one chance!!”. 

Second Mission: Search Engine King  (27:25- 41:12)

This game had no right to be as funny as it was. The members were given 20 minutes to figure out who the person in a photo was. They each had a computer and could search any way they wanted using clues from the photo. They could reveal a second and third photo in exchange for a smaller payout at the end. They played several rounds.

Third Mission: Answer Relay (41:12- 51:53)

The members, in order from left to right or right to left must give 10 correct answers to a question. Members may give more than one answer at their discretion, but each member must give at least one correct answer and the combined total must be 10 after the final person finishes. Since there are 6 of them, someone will end up being responsible for more than one answer. If they fail to answer, Coach Seri (or someone) needs to pay a $10 fee. Without Somin and Jihyo…it was still a mess. I love these guys.

Third Mission: Hazard in the Air (51:53- 58:24)

Wearing mirrored glasses so everything is upside down, they have to toss and catch water balloons. This game was mostly not shown…probably because the last game had plenty of footage…

Fourth Mission: Mini Golf Torture Course (58:24- 1:23:24)

The staff built a huge golf course…using velcro. Lol. They played in two teams of 3: Seri, Haha, Sechan vs. Jaesuk, Jongkook, Seokjin. Each team has to get 2 balls through the course and into a hole in order to win a HUGE cash prize. 

This course was amazing. They had to go uphill…with velcro balls. Then over a chasm, or else they had to hit the ball up the walls of the valley to get out. Then there were more hills and the area around the hole suddenly stopped being velcro. There was even a water trap which the members had to use ropes to stay out of while they hit their ball. I cannot even begin to express how much I want to try this course in all its troll-y glory.

Final Results (1:23:24- end of episode)

Each member takes turns purchasing either an exemption or a prize based on a set menu price.

The penalty this week was….*drumrolls*.....to play the mini-golf torture course again! Lol. I love the staff of this show sometimes. 

Preview: Card Shark Association Returns with guest Joo Woojae (model). 

!!!Spoilers!!!

Final Purchases

Seokjin- penalty exemption

Haha- penalty exemption and pork set

Jaesuk- penalty exemption

Jongkook- penalty exemption

Seri- waffle maker (x2–one as a gift for Jaesuk)

Sechan-....a penalty ticket for coach Seri… Which means he and Seri both get the penalty.