Running Man: Episode 90

by gummimochi

Some badass hyungnims come to visit Running Man in this Fishing Special. They’re going to cast off their aegyo, bait you with their humor, and reel you in with their physical strength… or sometimes lack thereof.

EPISODE 90. Broadcast on April 15, 2012.

The cast shows up dressed in school uniforms and I’m getting serious Dream High vibes. Everyone looks so cute, especially Ji-hyo in her capelet (I wants), and she comments that the skirts seem to be shorter now than when she was in school.

Today’s episode is a Couple Race and look at those huge grins as they recall their previous Couple Race. Although that had a turn for the worse.

They declare their undying love for their guests and a MissA song introduces our first guest. Suzy perhaps? I wish I could better describe their frozen facial expressions but their smiles fall. Why is he here after a MissA intro?

Our first guest, actor Park Joon-gyu (Warrior Baek Dong-soo) expresses his displeasure as well – well, why are they here after a MissA intro? By the way, if you’ve been following RM since the start, you’ll remember him from Episode 8.

They accept him as a dud, and this time actor Park Sang-myun (Twelve Men in a Year, History of the Salaryman) dances in. He and Suk-jin have been friends for over 30 years? Woah. At the complete reversal of their own expectations, Haha asks: “Why are you doing this to us all of a sudden!”

Then there’s the mother hyungnim of them all: Lee Deok-hwa (History of the Salaryman) who enters with that epic ‘O Fortuna’ soundtrack. He strikes me as that mat-hyung you don’t wanna mess with, but if he accepts you, he turns into a puddle of goo.

He’s 60?! Uh, is he going to be able to keep up? HA and he’s already a riot, asking, “Why did you give me a hat? I’ve got two!” And he caresses his wig, adding that he takes it of when he runs. I also hear that it was a running gag in History of the Salaryman.

These guys are a hoot. They’ve got this mix of temper and aegyo (Sang-myun: “I said we’re friends! How many times do I have to tell you!” while Joon-gyu points to Ji-hyo’s uniform: “Give me one too!”) that seriously cracks me up.

It’s time to form our couples for today’s race and I love how much Jae-suk and Suk-jin whine that they can’t be grouped into the hyungnims and how Mr. PD tried to phrase it the best way as to not to cause offense: “The ones who are closest in age to our guests.”

And then when they hear that the dongsaengs can refuse them, Deok-hwa slices in: “They can decline, sure. Their entertainment life will be a lot harder.” Eeep!

Or what about Sang-myun’s wounded pride – will they take responsibility for it? HAHAHA. Dying. Seriously Dying.

Oh poor Haha. He’s caught in a rock and a hard place as Deok-hwa extends his hand… and mutters: “I’m sorry.” Famous last words. Teehee, and Joon-gyu wins over Jong-kook with a bit of aegyo. Sang-myun resolves that he’d rather partner up with someone he knows (aka Suk-jin) so much that he literally begs on his knees.

Kwang-soo yelps in excitement as Jae-suk chooses him and tells the ex-Monday Couple: “Enjoy your last trip together.” They might not be excited but I’M SO HAPPY.

Our teams cast off on their Fishing Race, with a golden float on the line (harhar). Apparently, this is what being friends for a significant portion of your life looks like – constant nagging.

Suk-jin complains (in banmal) that Sang-myun looks old despite their same age (He misinterprets that as ‘looks dirty’). Well, what about him then? Did Sang-myun have to beg on national television?

Cut to the nations MC with the Giraffe but as soon as Kwang-soo opens his mouth, we cut to the Monday Couple.

And it is awkward, as if it was like Day 1. They encourage each other that they can simply just return to their Monday Couple antics just like old times. Then, silence.

And you know it’s funny when your wig brings all the funny as Deok-hwa describes all its advantages: you can go diving, it stays still in the wind, and you’ll rip your skin off too ’cause the glue is so strong.

Here at an old-fashioned amusement park, the teams will choose from two rides: a midair bicycle ride or the Viking.

The instructions on the bicycle ride are simple – ride your bicycle (it looks like a paddleboat but on rails) once around without getting caught. Don’t let the burly sizes of those RM staff fool you – they’re judo and martial arts athletes. Um well, crap.

Deok-hwa and Haha readies themselves first (Deok-hwa: “I’m 60 but it’s my third time on a ride!” Why so cute?) and they roll out… and the staff are right behind their tail in no time.

AHAHAHAHAHA. These guys are no joke. A very peeved Deok-hwa orders the staff to push them back to the starting position: “Who ARE these guys?!”

Spartakooks looks pretty confident and they fire away… and they’ve barely made it 10 meters before *poke poke* you’re out. OMG I’m dying every time it happens.

It’s a speed quiz here and I’m getting this out now – I hate, repeat, I hate, the Viking ride. Both Jae-suk and Kwang-soo hates it as well and you can almost see their faces turn green as it gets higher and higher. So it’s a good thing that he’s a trivia king and Kwang-soo gives clear and short answers.

Yunno, in between all the yelling when they’re not focused on not throwing up. But I feel bad for the VJs and that guy holding up the clues. Not a fun job I’d imagine.

Back to the bicycle, Deok-hwa is seriously stealing the show. On their next run, he scolds the staff mid-track, even gaining a 10 second head-start. But it’s no use – they get caught right away anyway.

The Monday Couple succeed first reminding me that they’ve still got great rapport. Soon after, the Giraffe and Grasshopper pair swallow their fear to complete it. It’s definitely a lot easier than the bicycle go-around as the teams struggle to breathe after each turn. Solution? Make the same staff run the course again. Evil, but it works.

In the car, the Monday Couple seem far more comfortable now, even sharing food Gary’s VJ gave him. Their stomachs grumbling, they decide to grab a bite (uh, what about the mission?). Gary: “I’ll pay [for your food], so let’s start over!”

Maknae FD waits for them in the middle of the river dressed in full fishing gear. The choices here are canoe or piggyback to get their fishing lure via rock-paper-scissors. The canoe teams leisurely sail on the river, even poking a little fun at each other while Jong-kook trudges through knee-deep water.

Uh and I had no idea that fish liked raw meat. I don’t think fruit is in their diet either. But all that work paid off because Joon-gyu wins, grabbing the pail of worms. Sang-myun and Suk-jin make off with the paste bait (sticky rice cake bait?).

Jae-suk utilizes his Green Power to win and experienced angler Deok-hwa calls out: “Choose the fruit! They could eat it!” Realistically, the remaining choices are pretty bleak. The Grasshopper chooses grasshopper (is that like eating his own?) and worse yet, the Monday Couple picks up the fruit.

At the elementary school, it’s a classic game of name tag rippage while linked together. With arctic clothes as the big catch, Jae-suk stares at the large shark name tags: “We’re finished.”Omg, so ridiculous RM… hairtail? And stingrays?

Deok-hwa and Haha laughs in the hallway, thinking of ways how the mat-hyungnim can feign weakness to the others. They head up the stairs after spotting Jae-suk’s VJ, but while their backs are turned… Jae-suk slips out of the classroom and rips off Haha’s name tag.

Deok-hwa pulls rank to make them approach closer… which turns out to be a ruse and somehow he ends up kneeling on the ground. Oh Chairman Jin!

Haha informs him that he shouldn’t trust Kwang-soo because he’s a betrayer, but Deok-hwa’s got a sweet ol’ heart and can’t bring himself to eliminate the Giraffe. Haha plays up the dramatics again, grabbing at his neck, but Deok-hwa cuts in: “That’s what I’m supposed to do.”

Two heads are not better than one in the case of Sang-myun and Big Nose Hyung. Sticking their backs together is no use as Sang-myun is eliminated. And who knew that someone so badass like Deok-hwa has the daintiest of steps and unable to tear off name tags?

Meanwhile, it looks like Joon-gyu has taken the place of Kwang-soo with Jong-kook constantly berating him for his curiosity that throws off his animal-like instincts. Jong-kook: “Watch it on TV then!” Aww!

The others have been searching for the Monday Couple high and low. They’ve taken temporary retreat in an empty classroom. They get busted by Deok-hwa and Haha who offer to share their lure if they ally now.

Deok-hwa shows his name tag to display his trust, but be wary to do so in front of the Ace. She can take you down in a split second, good man.

With the noises growing louder outside and losing precious time, they settle to eliminate Gary.

All that noise is coming from the mookjjipa game outside where Jae-suk and Suk-jin are dueling it out. It’s a pretty long round, but Jae-suk ends up losing and he does what he does best – run.

Suk-jin and Sang-myun nearly fall into their booby trap (Jong-kook) and run for cover. I love it how all the hyungs can’t seem to comprehend the constant betrayal in their heads: “Is it always like this?!” Yes – which is why it makes it awesome.

Before long, the other teams have zeroed in on one target – Jae-suk. It’s pure chaos with Sang-myun pushing the door open and all the yelling. Basically, Deok-hwa suggests they eliminate Jong-kook whilst the cast members shout that both Jae-suk and Kwang-soo are notorious betrayers.

With his back turned for just a second, Jae-suk is taken out. And Kwang-soo ends up with a tailless name tag.

They all pursue Jong-kook and Joon-gyu down a large hallway (it looks like a fanboy crowd with all those VJs chasing them too). And not surprisingly, Kwang-soo tears off Deok-hwa’s name tag as he runs past.

Suk-jin and Sang-myun inch across the hallway until they’re face-to-face with Jong-kook and Joon-gyu. The four men get engaged in a hilarious silent battle, whispering while using all their strength to try and eliminate each other.

But Jae-suk and Kwang-soo’s sudden appearance throws everyone off guard and Jong-kook ends up separated from Joon-gyu. Easy peasy, they’re out.

In jail, Deok-hwa finally admits that Kwang-soo is a cold-blooded betrayer. Previously he gave Kwang-soo the benefit of the doubt, but now he understands how the anger can be so much that Choi Min-soo came out twice.

They practice what-could-have-been if they had run into each other, which pretty much would have ended with Deok-hwa faking a faint.

Kwang-soo informs the hyungs that they have to take out Ji-hyo. Sang-myun’s against the idea – she’s too pretty. He admits that he “loves her in his heart” as you would for your mother or as a fan.

The three teams circle each other, readying themselves for a final battle. After a head start, they soon end up in a tussle and Kwang-soo reaches for Suk-jin’s back to reveal the fish’s head in his hand and its tail in Ji-hyo’s hand. As they’re dragged away, Sang-myun renounces his love for Ji-hyo immediately.

Look at those faces. Those are the faces of the betrayers betrayed by none other than Ace Ji-hyo who secures the warmest jackets for her and Gary.

Night falls and it’s raining. They’ve got one hour to catch the biggest fish they can in order to win. They wait and wait. One hour passes, then two.

Gosh, THREE hours pass before Mr. PD blows the whistle, calling everyone in and declares no official winner for today’s race. Mr. PD, didn’t you know that fishing takes a loooonnngg time?

Deok-hwa declares that he’ll come back, be it in 3 or 6 months… and everyone says that it’s okay if he doesn’t.

More neck-grabbing.

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