Most fan gatherings include party games like Bring Me, Charades, or Pinoy Henyo. But Running Man fans do it differently — they like to get physical.
In commemoration of Running Man’s 7th year, Running Man United conducted their 7th fan gathering entitled “Running Man United: The challenge 7-7-7” last January 28, 2017 at the San Andres Complex.
Fans were grouped into teams representing the 7 members of Running Man: Team Gary, Team Jongkook, Team Jihyo, Team Sukjin, Team Jaesuk, Team Kwangsoo, and Team Haha.
The teams competed in physically challenging tasks like group jump rope where teams had to complete 5 jumps as a group, group dodge ball, and of course, name tag ripping – the main event.
Running Man is known for their name tag ripping games. The rules are simple: players use Velcro and stick their name tags to their backs. The goal is they have to avoid the opposing team from ripping their name tags so they won’t get eliminated.
After an intense competition of shirt pulling, being fragged across the floor, and being at the bottom of a very competitive human hamburger; Team Gary emerged victorious with 25 points, followed by Team Kwangsoo with 23 points, Team Haha with 17 points, Team Jihyo with 15 points, Team Jaesuk with 13 points, Team Jongkook with 12 points, and Team Sukjin with 7 points.
Filipino performers
No fan gathering is complete without performances. The fans were entertained by Solfriend, an all female group who covers the 6-member girl group GFriend, with a cheerful mashup of “Me Gustas Tu” and “Rough” which got the men in crowd hyped up.
The ladies were also given a treat with the powerful performance of PHP. The members, King, JP, and Sejun, are under training by ShowBT Philippines. They performed a lively mashup of Filipino, American, and Korean songs.
The members of PHP are a part of Narra, a group of Filipino performers who are also under ShowBT Philippines. The company aims to bring the same intensive training Korean idols follow before they debut.
Running Man continues
After a series of controversies with SBS, news broke out that Running Man will no longer be ending and will continue with the 6 original members.
International and Pinoy fans alike have been celebrating since. “Akala namin mawawalan ng meaning yung gathering natin,” Josh, head admin of Running Man United Philippines said during the gathering in celebration of the continuation of the variety show.
You can continue watching Running Man on Viu, for free forever!
by Nathalie Esteban