‘Infinity Challenge’ and ‘Running Man’ popular in North Korea

Variety shows such as ‘Infinity Challenge‘ and ‘Running Man‘ are reportedly becoming more popular in North Korea.

In a report titled ‘Hallyu Becoming North Korea’s Mainstream Culture’, Saenuri Party’s Yoon Sang Hyun who is also a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, Foreign Affairs, Trade, & Unification Committee remarked, “According to the government authorities and other North Korean sources, the citizens of North Korea enjoy programs such as SBS ‘Running Man’, KBS 2TV’s ‘1N2D‘, MBC’s ‘Infinity Challenge’, amongst other variety and music programs.”

According to assemblyman Yoon Sang Hyun, the citizens are able to obtain Korean dramas, and they are also tuning into some American programs as well.

As Hallyu becomes more mainstream in North Korea, top celebrities such as Jang Dong Gun, Kim Nam Joo, Shin Min Ah, Yoo Jae Suk, Kang Ho Dong, amongst other stars are also growing popular in the local area.

Yoon continued, “In North Korea, teens are alienated and left out of conversations if they are not familiar with South Korean dramas, and because of young military soliders who are unable to quit watching Korean videos even after enlisting in the army, they are now implementing moral education.”

Lee Kwang Soo posts hilarious collage of ‘Running Man’ members

 

A collage of the ‘Running Man‘ members’ distorted faces has been trending online.

Lee Kwang Soo posted to Twitter on the 25th KST: “Our disgrace,” and attached the hilarious image above.

The photo reveals the SBS‘ ‘Running Man’ members getting air blown in their faces as a game penalty. Yoo Jae Suk, Ji Suk Jin, Lee Kwang Soo, Gary, and others can be spotted, but it’s hard to recognize who is who.

Netizens who came across the photograph commented, “Started my morning with a laugh,” “Kim Jong Kook‘s face is hilarious… True embarrassment,” “To think even Mr. Yoo experiences such a disgrace… ‘Running Man’ disgrace is the best,” and more.

Can you make out who is who in the collage?

Samsung Galaxy R Style CF featuring Kim Jong Kook, Lee Kwang Soo, Kang Gary and Hyorin

 

Kim Jong Kook, Kang Gary and Lee Kwang Soo, who are the stars on the SBS TV program of "Running Man", appear on the Samsung Galaxy R Style advertisement in South Korea. In the advertisement, they have to clear all missions via using Samsung Galaxy from girl group Sistar's Hyorin.

How will they clear all missions?

What mission did Hyorin assigned?
PS. R Style = Royal Style (Running Man Style) 

Please watch Samsung Galaxy R Style as below.

MBLAQ’s Lee Joon is an ‘entertainer-dol’ on ‘Running Man’

MBLAQ member Lee Joon has impressed viewers with his strong presence as both a talented idol and a hilarious entertainer.

The July 22nd episode of SBS‘ ’Running Man‘ featured special guest MC Jung Jae Hyung, as well as Super Junior‘s Eunhyuk, 2PM‘s Nichkhun, MBLAQ’s Lee Joon, B2ST‘s Doojoon, CNBLUE‘s Yonghwa, T-ara‘s Eunjung, and ZE:A‘s Siwan. For this episode, the ‘Running Man’ cast faced the idol guests in the ‘Running Man Olympics’.

Among the idols, Lee Joon particularly shined with his wild attitude. Not only did he impress with his speed during the race, but he also surprised TV viewers with his midair split while playing volleyball on a trampoline.

Despite Lee Joon’s humorous efforts to soar to higher heights using his flexibility, he continued to miss the ball, leading his team to lose points. Just as cast member Lee Kwangsoo is often regarded as the “hole” in the ‘Running Man’ cast, Lee Joon became the same kind of character for his own team. His ‘springy’ sense of shamelessness, however, seemed to amuse his teammates rather than anger them.

During the bell race, Lee Joon further entertained viewers as he delivered a variety of reactions: being mindful of covering his armpits, posing in a silly fashion, and engaging in a chase with cast member Gary.

In the end, Lee Joon encountered the almighty Kim Jong Kook, aka Sparta Kook, letting out a horrified shriek and ditching his sanity in his panic. Lee Joon’s surprised expression after having suddenly run into ‘the capable one’ of ‘Running Man’ drew out many laughs.

After seeing Lee Joon fumble on the show, viewers commented, “Of course, [it's] Lee Joon. He never lets [people's] expectations down,” “If [ZE:A's] Kwanghee and Lee Joon came out together, I would believe in [their entertaining abilities] and watch,” “I laughed a lot because of Lee Joon’s expressions,” “I knew he was wild. His mind isn’t all there,” “He and Kwanghee are competing as 1st and 2nd place entertainer-dols,” and “Even if he’s not trying to be funny, he’s funny.”

Idol members request gifts from MC Yoo Jae Suk on ‘Running Man’

 

The ‘nation’s MC’ Yoo Jae Suk has once again experienced a mental breakdown upon hearing idol members’ demands for lavish gifts.

The July 22nd broadcast of SBS‘s ‘Running Man‘ aired a 2012 Olympic special and consisted of idol members competing against the fixed cast members in various games of athletics.

Towards the end of the ‘hide-and-seek’ race, HaHa put Yoo Jae Suk on the spot as he remarked, “[Jae Suk hyung] is really good at buying things for people,” and joked, “He bought IU a car.” On a previous episode of ‘Running Man’, Yoo Jae Suk was put under a sticky situation of possibly having to buy IU a brand new car as a late birthday present.

Upon hearing HaHa’s joke, the idol members were surprised and asked if it was true. Taken aback, Yoo Jae Suk immediately tried to explain himself by saying, “I didn’t buy her…” but was unable to finish his sentence, as it was already too late.

CNBLUE‘s Jung Yonghwa put in his request to the MC saying, “We’ll be moving to our new dorm soon, so could you buy us a new refrigerator?” Following his lead, MBLAQ‘s Lee Joon also pitched in, “I live with my parents, but there hasn’t been any air conditioning in our house for the past 10 years. Please buy us an air conditioning system.”

ZE:A‘s Lim Siwan added to the list, “Our dorm is too small for all of us to live in…” and to this, the Running Man members added, “Oh so you need a house.” And unable to miss this golden opportunity, T-ara‘s Eunjung remarked, “I have been feeling exhausted lately. I think I need a massage chair.”

In the end, Yoo Jae Suk faced Lee Kwang Soo and desperately asked, “Please lend me 200 million won (~$175,000 USD),” causing everyone to burst into laughter.

Eunjung the smooth hurdle jumper, Song Ji Hyo not so much?

T-ara member Eunjung went over the over-the-water hurdles like a mermaid.

On the July 22nd episode of SBS’s ‘Running Man’, Eunjung showed off her smooth agility in the ‘Over-the-water Hurdles’ portion of the water battles.

Eunjung was briefly taken aback by the unexpected height of the hurdle but went right over it climbing on top of the shoulders. On the other hand, Song Ji Hyo went on top of Lee Kwang Soo‘s shoulders and kept falling back embarrassingly but brought plenty of laughter to the viewers. Lee Kwang Soo even pleaded, “Please just go over it. Just go over it.”

Eunjung went over the first and second hurdle quite easily although she got soaking wet in the process. However, at the third hurdle, Eunjung had a hard time getting over the unexpectedly high hurdle and the ‘Running Man’ team caught up to her beating her team. Eunjung still looked cool working hard to win, not minding all the makeup coming off even though she is an idol.

Eunjung’s confidence was obviously founded in her natural beauty as revealed by her beautiful makeup free look with everything washed off by the water in the battle.

Nichkhun shows off his impressive arm muscle

‘Running Man’ members and the idols will hold the ‘Running Olympics’.

Korea‘s most popular idols have gathered for the July 22nd episode of SBS ‘Running Man’. Idols to star include Eunhyuk, Lee Joon, Siwan, Eunjung, Yoon Doo Joon, Jung Yong Hwa, and Nichkhun. The opening ceremony will be emceed by singer and special guest Jung Jae Hyung.

Jung Jae Hyung made everyone laugh by making the introductory speech in three languages, Korean, English, and French. Following the opening ceremony the members of ‘Running Man’ and the idols competed in a relay race, volleyball, and water hurdle.

Before the start of the match the ‘Running Man’ members confidently stated, “We have the know-how that we’ve accrued over the long stretch”, but the idol team defiantly replied, “We realize the ‘Running Man’ are not to be taken lightly. We’ll do our best and we’ll definitely come out victorious.”

‘Running Olympics’ special episode ‘Running Man’ is scheduled to air on July 22nd.