Variety Review: Running Man Episode 594

May 6

May 6 Variety Review: Running Man Episode 594

Guests: Cho Saeho (comedian)

My Entertainment Score: 7 out of 10 laughs

Most of this episode was spent on the first game which isn’t my favorite in the grand scheme of things, but it was alright this time around. It feels so stressful for me to watch them struggle with it…almost too personal for my taste. That said, the results of the day were unexpectedly funny.

What Happened:

Theme: Running Man Presidential Election

Opening/Guest Introduction (start of episode- 14:18)

All the members are FINALLY back together again. Between quarantines and injuries, it's been a long while.

Race Explanation (14:18- 19:25)

The Running Man members are all up for election as the President of Running Man for the next month. Along with having the show labeled with their name, they will get various benefits for the month including bonuses during the games. They’ll have additional responsibilities as well, to include attending the staff meeting and offering ideas for the show.

The members are each given a map divided into six districts and the opportunity to divide up their 10 ballots any way they wish within those districts. After each game, the top four winners will choose a district from another person’s map and receive all the ballots from that area. At the end of the day, any ballots not taken by another player revert to the owner of the map.

First Mission: Admit It! (19:25- 58:32)

They have played this game before. Essentially, a harsh or weird statement is made for a member and the member simply has to say “I admit it”. Last time, they poked at Haha’s height and Jongkook’s potential dating history. They divided the members into two teams: Sechan, Jaesuk, Jihyo, Saeho VS Jongkook, Somin, Seokjin, Haha. Each ‘admitted’ statement earned the team a point.

53:58- District Choices from the winners for stealing ballots.

Second Mission: King of the Race (58:32- 1:19:17)

The members must assemble a toy car and race it for two laps. They will then have 2 minutes to make adjustments before a second race of three laps. They will be assigned points for the style of their car and the results of each race. They play in teams of two: Jaesuk and Sechan, Jongkook and Haha, Seokjin and Jihyo, Saeho and Somin. Because the inner lane is advantageous, they play the pirate pop up game to determine who gets the lanes.

A special benefit will be given to the winner of the round. They can resign their candidacy. That would mean they would be exempt from receiving votes at the end of the day, but they could still vote.

1:10:49- Game begins.

1:13:17- The round’s results are announced. The stealing isn’t shown for this round. And the third round is montaged over quickly. Only the results are shown.

Voting (1:19:17- 1:23:12)

Final Results (1:23:12- end of episode)

Preview: Young actors Jin Jihee and Cha Junhwan join the Running Man members next week. They are going to be put through a crash course on how to lead a team!

!!!Spoilers!!!

Admit It!

Jongkook, Somin, Seokjin, Haha Team- 4 points

Jaesuk, Jihyo, Sechan, Saeho Team- 7 points

Rock-paper-scissors decided the order of winners

Saeho-2 district steals- steals 8 ballots from Seokjin, steals 10 ballots from Somin!
Jihyo-2 districts steals -steals 0 ballots from Jongkook, steals 5 ballots from Haha.
Jaesuk-2 district steals- steals 0 ballots from Saeho, steals 3 ballots from Saeho.
Sechan-2 district steals- steals 1 ballot from Jaesuk, steals 4 ballots from Jaesuk.

Current rankings

Saeho- 25 ballots
Sechan- 15 ballots
Jihyo- 14 ballots
Jongkook- 10 ballots
Jaesuk- 8 ballots
Haha- 6 ballots
Seokjin- 2 ballots
Somin- 0 ballots

King of the Race

Inner lane- Jihyo and Seokjin

2nd lane- Jongkook and Haha

3rd lane- Saeho and Somin

Outer lane- Jaesuk and Sechan

Saeho and Somin win. Saeho resigns (by accident) and gives his support to Jaesuk, so Jaesuk will automatically begin with 3 votes. They are able to steal ballots.
Jongkook and Haha. They are able to steal ballots.
Jaesuk and Sechan.
Jihyo and Seokjin.

Ballot Ranking Going into Voting