Running Man: Episode 155

by gummimochi

What better way to cool off in the summer with a horror story that ought to send chills down your spine? The cast travels down memory lane when they relive their school glory days in search for their destined match. But beware of looking too far back into your memories—you may just find that not everything is what it seems…

EPISODE 155. Broadcast on July 21, 2013.

Welcome back to Running Man High where our group of super seniors—er, our cast—takes their seats in the classroom. The boys have fun with their role-play like how Jong-kook looks so natural sitting in the back and how class president Kwang-soo is the pet giraffe.

Then Haha wonders why mat-hyung Suk-jin is the same age as their teacher. Suk-jin: “That guy is a year younger than me!” Ha.

Why am I not surprised that transfer student Ji-hyo has an infamous reputation as—what else?—the school jjang aka the best fighter in school? Kwang-soo is still the butt of the students’ jokes in this pseudo-world as he easily falls for the classic pull-out-chair prank.

There’s still one more empty seat, which is taken by a familiar face: Suzy (Gu Family Book). The boys literally bolt up with excitement, and Kwang-soo calls out: “We know who you are! We saw you kiss Lee Seung-gi!”

Their teacher, Maknae FD, instructs the boys to settle down already, and he introduces today’s Graduation Race. The set-up: our cast of students will face-off to win a pair of sneakers though a variety of in-class games. The first team to cross the finish line wearing all of them will be today’s victors.

Ha, I love how Ji-hyo’s question about the rules throws Maknae FD off for a second before he announces today’s teams. Both Jong-kook and Jae-suk immediately complain about being teamed up with the Class Yapper, and Haha cries, “And I’m stuck between them!”

The students head outside for their first class, where all the physics jargon basically boils down to: kick your shoe into your cubby.

It’s not long before Jong-kook and Jae-suk start bickering about just about everything from Suzy’s name to how Jae-suk should kick his shoe. Jae-suk bites back: “Be quiet before I kick my shoe into your mouth!” Jong-kook: “You can graduate at the hospital.”

When it’s Kwang-soo’s turn, it really does look like he’s aiming for Jong-kook, who actually looks a little… scared (?) about the oncoming attack. They run with the joke as Kwang-soo instructs everyone apart from Jong-kook to duck so that he can aim better.

… Then he kicks Jong-kook in the knee. Jong-kook immediately retaliates, and calls out: “Turn the cameras off!”

Sigh, can we please axe this faux-frenemies-but-we’re-really-best-buds running joke already? Aren’t you both sick of it? I’M sick of it.

To everyone’s surprise Suk-jin is the first one to successfully kick his shoe into his cubby. Gary is nearly successful, but his shoe pops right out again. The boys give Ji-hyo a little grief when her shoe lands in Suk-jin’s cubby, all, So it was Suk-jin all along, eh?

Given Jong-kook’s soccer skills (or lack thereof), I’m not surprised his shoe goes flying either. What cracks me up is Suzy’s loud disapproval and the subsequent “Suzy and I are our own team!” spat from her teammates.

The third time’s the charm for Gary, who finally kicks his shoe into the cubby and wins the first game for his team.

It’s time for gym class where it’s a classic arm wrestling showdown. The boys hilariously Jong-kook’s guns (with Rocky music playing in the background, heh) for what seems like an obvious oncoming Spartakooks all-kill onslaught.

Haha: “It’s like he’s got a thigh attached to his arm!” Ha, I’ll take that to mean that the man’s got enormous biceps.

Surprisingly, Suk-jin and Ji-hyo a fair job of standing their ground against Jong-kook and Suzy, though it makes me wonder if it’s more like Ji-hyo who’s pulling most of the weight. Jong-kook isn’t even breakin’ a sweat and he encourages the pair to work together… before he overtakes them.

The Monday Couple is up next, and this time, it actually looks like Jong-kook is struggling a bit. However, he manages to send them away, too, and Gary gasps: “Suzy didn’t have to do a thing!”

Before their last teammate steps up, Gary comments: “It’s like Suzy has the 63 Building behind her.” (The 63 Building is one of Seoul’s trademark skyscrapers that is 63 stories tall.)

Ji-hyo gets riled up about a possible penalty on Jong-kook’s part before the final round. Then I’m actually impressed at Kwang-soo’s stamina up against Jong-kook. That is, until he starts jokingly hitting Jong-kook. I… can’t even.

Jong-kook wins against them anyway, and Ji-hyo comments, “This isn’t right…” But then we get a scary preview to the episode’s latter half where she whimpers, “I’m so scared…” Eek.

We skip ahead to the final class—a nametag rippin’ race where the teams will have to hunt down each other’s personal belongings scattered throughout the school. Only when they find someone else’s belongings can they eliminate them. Simple enough!

The cast starts to search the school, and we see Kwang-soo keep a mysterious close eye on Suzy. Then a flashback teaches us that he stuffed his item beneath one of the hollow busts on the top shelf.

To his relief, Suzy moves on. But a minute later, Jong-kook realizes that that could be an amazing hiding place, so he rushes back into the room with the busts. Seriously, you’re speedy deduction skills even surprises me sometimes.

It’s a nervous moment since Kwang-soo can only watch as Jong-kook checks under each bust… and eventually finds it. Time to run.

Kwang-soo is eliminated easily in the next minute, and the cast continues their search. Ji-hyo discovers Jong-kook’s hidden item, which forces him to take cover. The Monday Couple manages to sneak through a door and take on Jong-kook.

They engage in a four-way scuffle in the classroom as Haha tries to hunt down Gary’s item in the hallway. Suzy isn’t much of a match for Ji-hyo, who softly sends her aside with an apology. But in the end, Gary tears off Jong-kook’s nametag.

Whaddaya know—Haha discovers Gary’s item a minute later. Ji-hyo tries to call out a warning, but it’s too late and Gary is forced to run. Then it’s another tense few seconds before Haha catches up to him and eliminates him. And what? That’s it?

We must have edited out the other eliminations because the cast gathers together again for their “graduation.” Suk-jin: “I’m finally graduating after 20 years!” Ha.

They’re instructed to each choose a room key and then place them in an envelope. Then they place those into a mysterious time-capsule-like mailbox to be delivered to their future selves.

With a final class picture, the students move on with their lives…

Five years later. The classmates greet each other at an university late at night. After a few polite greetings (Haha: “I hear your kid grew up a lot!” Suk-jin: “He’s in army now!”), Jo PD explains that they’ll separate into their respective rooms.

Ha, I just noticed this now, but is everyone wearing pink? Cute.

Once everyone is in their rooms, they read the secretive note (read: mission card) tucked in their nostalgic envelopes. They blush to read that two of them are destined soulmates.

In order to find their special someone, they’ll need to choose one item (out of several) and test it out in front of a mysterious mirror. But beware—you must choose the correct item to know if you’re correct or not.

After they all grab an item, the cast sets off in search for each other. Gary immediately gets jealous when he catches Ji-hyo look for Haha. He explains: “The ‘flower boy’ [Gary’s room] and ‘young girl’ [hers] are supposed to be together.” She gives him an “As if…” look. Hahaha.

It cracks me up that Jong-kook uses that same logic on Suzy, saying that the model student should be with the pretty girl at school. Ha. I love that Kwang-soo immediately calls him out on it, all, Then why can’t she be with me, the student council member!

Meanwhile, Haha and Ji-hyo break off on their own and discover one of the mysterious mirrors. Holding a pencil, they ask if they’re destined for each other. A sharp blast of air tells them no.

The cast quickly finds out that not every mirror they come across is helpful since some of them are broken. But they’ve got bigger issues on their hands as they try to figure out who would best be paired with whom.

It’s all confusing as they consult with each other in the hallway. Is the model student and the dunce meant to be? Or a young lady and the model student?

Interestingly, Suzy tries to hint at some of the members to try their luck with her. Only that raises more suspicion about why she seems so eager. Why yes… is there something that we don’t know?

But then again, it’s kinda cute how she’s so forthright about it: “Do you wanna come with me?” When Jae-suk readily agrees, his dongsaengs are up in arms about how he wouldn’t come with them. Aww.

Jae-suk and Suzy sit in front of another mirror to ask if they’re fated… and then creepy red letters read: “You two…” They hold their breaths..

“… are not meant to be.” Aww, so close. Jae-suk wonders why the message would be written in blood, but the mirror has even more to say: “If three or more gather together, someone will die.” Eeeeeek.

Ironically enough, the Deathly Mirror allows them to ask one Yes or No question. Jae-suk asks: “If there are three of us, will either Suzy or myself be eliminated?” Answer: No.

Ah, so this means that whenever they’re together, the third person who joins them will be eliminated. In other words, as long as they stick together, they’re exempt from elimination.

This rule is announced through the speakers, and now this game just got a lot creepier. Everyone is on edge, and when Jae-suk calls out to Haha and Kwang-soo (who are hilariously optimistic about the situation: “We have a shot at winning today!”), they make a run for it.

He manages to pull Kwang-soo aside, and is surprisingly honest about what happened in front of the mirror. It’s good news for Jae-suk, but yunno, not so good news for Kwang-soo if Suzy shows up.

The others try their best to avoid the no “three or more” rule, and both Haha and Jong-kook run up the stairwell when Suzy shows up. It’s actually pretty funny watching everyone disperse, then merge together, and then scatter away again.

Elsewhere, Haha and Jong-kook stand in front of another mirror and ask the same question. The same eerie, blood-curling letters appear with a new rule: “If someone looks behind them, they will die.”

Just like before, the mirror grants them a question, so they ask if the rule applies to either of them. Answer: No.

Phew, they can look behind themselves without fear of death. They immediately test it out (hehe) and resolve to prank the others to fall for the trick. Ha, maybe you two are the ones who are evil.

With a clap of thunder, the new rule is announced. At once, Jae-suk takes it out on his poor VJ. And then we see Ji-hyo curled up in fear just like in the preview. “Is it a horror special?”

I imagine that there are more rules to come, but I do like how these specific rules serve to spice up the classic game, and therefore force the cast to think on their feet. As for the cutesy stuff, well I think that’s long gone now.

Watching Suk-jin paralyzed by this new rule is an absolute hoot. He robot-walks his way around, and Jae-suk has to be the one to say: “…You can just walk straight.” Hee.

Elsewhere, the ladies realize that they’re carrying similar items, so they set off in search for a mirror. But it’s the Easy Brothers who comes upon one first. Is that… a box neck brace?

They ask, more freaky letters appear… and new rule is introduced: If someone shouts, they will die. Then they ask the same question (“Is it one of us?”), and yell in celebration when the answer is no. Hm, so are the ones who discover the new rule exempt from it?

Everyone is alerted, and at the noise, Haha asks, “Isn’t that Kwang-soo’s voice?” So maybe it’s not such a good idea to let the world know that you’re immune to this rule.

At this horror movie-like setup, Haha jokes that he’d feel safer in jail. Also: “I’m even more scared that I haven’t heard ‘Ji Suk-jin Out’ yet.” Hahahaha.

Then the Easy Brothers find yet another mirror with new items. That only establishes yet another rule: If someone becomes unattractive, they will die. Kwang-soo gapes: “What about Gary?!”

Caption: Is it a time to worry about other people right now…? But the mirror assures them that they’re safe.

I love that this new “become unattractive” rule gets either amused or offensive laughter out of the cast. Looking at Jae-suk, Jong-kook says, “Well, this only applies to you…” Ha.

Jong-kook points out that Jae-suk does look remarkably unattractive sans glasses. He encourages his hyung to test it out—what’s the worst that can happen? Jae-suk isn’t willing to do so, and tells Jong-kook to look behind him then. They both stand there, bickering again. Haha.

Poor Gary actually thinks that the rule pertains to him (aw), and he asks in a worried tone: “Is it me?”

The Easy Brothers freak out when Suzy approaches them because they know that she’s immune from the “three or more” rule. However, nothing happens when they group together. They quickly deduce that it’s the others who could die, apart from the four of them (including Jae-suk).

Suzy leaves a note for Jong-kook to come meet her. He’s naturally suspicious, but follows anyway. Then at the opportune moment, Kwang-soo joins them… and nothing happens.

Suk-jin walks in just to make sure that they’re all exempt then, but then a clap of thunder interrupts them. A creepy voice reminds them of their grave error, and then Jong-kook is taken away by the grim reapers.

The boys wonder what just happened, but in a corner, Ji-hyo whispers, “Good job, Suzy.” Huh?

We jump back to earlier in the night when the two ladies ran into each other. Sure enough, the mirror had confirmed that they were meant to be. When they returned to their room, they looked through the yearbook.. where their pictures were nowhere to be found.

Then a recording had informed them that they were ghosts. Ah, which explains why Teacher Maknae FD only addressed the boys and tried(?) to ignore Ji-hyo’s question.

If the boys discover their true identities, then they’ll have no choice to be rid of the ghosts. Therefore, it’s their job to eliminate the boys first. Hoo ha ha.

The ghosts flip through the attendance log to learn hints about their targets, like how Jong-kook “likes to hang out with friends.” Which explains why the “three or more” rule worked against him, since the boys were three persons and Suzy is a ghost.

Not only that, Haha is a surprisingly quiet student while Kwang-soo always looks behind him. HA, and Jae-suk is a vain student.

Teehee, Suzy utilizes her long hair to try out her “ghost status” by imitating The Ring.

Elsewhere, Ji-hyo targets Kwang-soo and rips off a part of his nametag to get him to look back. But he whirls around the other way instead. Smart boy.

Then, Suzy sticks with Haha and discovers another rule: “If someone gets wet, then they’ll die.” Ah, and we see that Gary likes rainy days.

Kwang-soo is rightly suspicious and makes a ruckus. The others look up to the source of the noise, which allows Suzy the perfect opportunity to swoop in and grab Jae-suk’s glasses. Too bad he catches her not a moment too soon.

The Monday Couple tries out another mirror. It doesn’t work, but this time they get an interesting response: “Look for a locker.” Uh oh, will this clue work against the ghosts?

They get to work searching through the hundreds of lockers, but will they find the one they need?

Meanwhile, Haha pouts at yet another failed match, and he sends Suzy out to grab another item. She gets an idea and decides to sneak up on him. She jumps… and he screams.

Elsewhere, Ji-hyo still plays dumb, but then she slaps Kwang-soo upside the head, and he instinctively looks back. Aw, and Ji-hyo looks so sorry about it as she apologizes on her knees. “I hit you so hard!”

He screams after her about how he worked so hard not to look back. “I even put on a neck brace!” Oh, so the box brace wasn’t one of your items? HA.

The remaining boys gather together, now free of some of the rules. However, they realize that there aren’t enough rules to go around, and then Jae-suk hits the nail on the head: “The couple found each other.”

Gary and Jae-suk learn the final rule: “Someone will die if both of their feet touch the ground at the same time.”

The ghosts realize that they can just walk as normal… and Suk-jin hilariously misinterprets this rule and hops on one foot. “Find me a chair!” HAHAHA.

Suzy gives chase to capture Jae-suk, but runs into Suk-jin instead. Gary gives her an unknowing helping hand by helping her take on Suk-jin. They eventually get both feet on the ground and eliminate him.

Gary diligently searches through every locker he comes across, and wonders if Ji-hyo has already found the hint. He finds the right one where a yearbook and a sticker is stored.

The sticker is an effective tool against the dead. Gary: “So [the girls] were ghosts this whole time?!” Bingo.

Gary ushers Jae-suk over to show him the yearbook where both girls are oddly missing. Jae-suk gapes in horror: “They were ghosts?!”

I love how the yearbook also houses pictures of previous guests (who are listed as fellow classmates), so Gary quips, “We can speak to them informally the next time we see them.” Ha, I’d like to see you try that on Choi Min-soo.

Then Jae-suk pulls out the same sticker. We see that he acquired it from Haha, who found it in a potted plant. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough clues for Haha to go on, and he handed it off to Jae-suk when he was eliminated.

They run into Suzy, who agrees to meet them… while holding a cup of water in her hands. Eep. The boys know they only have one shot at this and approach Suzy with caution.

Ji-hyo is nowhere to be found, and then water splashes from behind the door. Gary avoids it just in time and Jae-suk rushes forward, the sticker in his hand…

But then Gary is hit with more water just as Ji-hyo removes Jae-suk’s glasses… and becomes unattractive. Ha.

The ghosts jump with excitement at their victory, and their ghouly cackles echo in the hallway, waiting for their next victim…

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