Members from left: Ji Suk Jin, HaHa, Kim Jong Kook, Song Ji Hyo, Gary
Running Man has always been running, but this time round, they were not running from each other, but from the fans chasing after them: from a press conference in Sentosa Cove on the 18th of October, to a meet-and-greet cum autograph session in Jurong Point on the morning of 19th of October to a fan meet in the evening, the Running Man (present: Gary, Song Ji Hyo, Ji Suk Jin, HaHa and Kim Jong Kook; absent: Yoo Jae Suk, Lee Kwang Soo) received a hearty reception from their enthusiastic Singaporean fans last weekend.
At the press conference
First impression of Singapore?
Ji Suk Jin: Singapore is a very beautiful city. The air is very fresh and clean and I am very impressed by the scenery
HaHa: Second time in Singapore. Hi Singapore! I love Singapore and the chili crab.
Kim Jong Kook: This is my third time coming to Singapore. I like the food. Singapore is very famous for its big chilis. The streets are very clean and the trees are very nice.
We could make you into our mascot for trees.
Kim Jong Kook: Yes, the last time I was here I talked about the trees. (laughs)
Song Ji Hyo: Thank you for the warm welcome! This is a beautiful city!
Gary: This is my first time in Singapore. It’s my second day here now and it’s a beautiful city. I had chili crab last night, and I think I gained about 3kg. I toured around the clubs last night as well.
How is it like being one of the cast members of Running Man?
Gary: Running Man is my first entertainment show, and it’s been really good being able to meet such good cast members. They are always interesting, and I get a lot of energy from them. So it’s a great honour to be part of the show.
How does it feel to be the only fixed female cast on the show?
Song Ji Hyo: It’s definitely different being the only girl but I don’t think they treat me as just a female. I don’t think it’s a matter of whether one is male or female, but being a part of Running Man.
Kim Jong Kook: She’s no woman! Sometimes she is stronger than us. Not all the time though…just sometimes.
How is working with the cast members like?
Kim Jong Kook: it’s really an honour to be on Running Man. I am very happy. I can’t describe how happy I am to be part of this show!
What can we expect for the event tomorrow?
HaHa: We hope that we can engage with the fans, play together, and that the fans will go crazy with us and enjoy the performance! Prepare to be entertained!
Ji Suk Jin: There will be a special Monday Couple stage tomorrow! Please anticipate it!
Recently on one of the Running Man episodes, Gary gave Song Ji Hyo a kiss on the cheek. Gary, where did you get the courage to do that?
Gary: To put it simply, I was a little crazy at that time?
How does Song Ji Hyo feel about the kiss?
HaHa: Gary whispered to Ji Hyo, saying “Please say that it was hot!”
(members start cheering)
Ji Hyo: (shyly) It was good, of course.
Haha and the others: Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!
What power or capability, would you take away from another member?
Ji Suk Jin: HaHa’s ability to betray.
HaHa: Jong Kook’s power, the Monday Couple’s loveliness…and Suk Jin’s old age!
In recent Running Man episodes, there is less focus on the ripping of nametags. Is there a reason why?
Ji Suk Jin: (to the Singaporean reporter) You speak better Korean than Kwang Soo does! (members laugh and voice their agreement)
Gary: There are few episodes which have not yet been aired which do focus on ripping nametags. In order to make the episodes more interesting, we have been trying new things on the show to improve and improvise on the nametag game. There will be many new segments created to make things interesting, so we hope viewers will still enjoy it!
Has anyone sustained injuries while filming?
Kim Jong Kook: honestly, we get hurt at times. The games are intense and injuries are frequent. However, it is not that difficult (to endure). The strips on my back are to protect my injuries, but they are not that serious.
Are there any games you would like to introduce into the show?
HaHa: we meet up with the production team often to discuss new initiatives we can take. We are always looking into it and exploring new ideas. We are open to challenges.
Was there a time that it was so difficult, and you wished you could just stop running?
Jong Kook: Every week. (laughter)
Ha Ha: me too (quietly, drawing laughter from the floor)
Rest of the members: Same! Yes!
Running Man is very popular in many foreign countries. How does it feel to be a trendsetter in terms of fashion?
HaHa: it feels great having fans following our trend. Not only myself, but Gary, JiHyo and everyone in our Running Man family tries to do well on the show and we all try to make the outfits most fashionable as possible. Many female fans have also followed Jihyo’s style, and sport the same caps that she wears on the shows.
Gary: The nametags are part of our fashion and I have seen Running Man-like tags on the back of peoples’ shirts.
If you could create an opponent team made of idols, who would you like to go against?
Gary: Recently Shinhwa appeared on the show, and we didn’t manage to win anyone of them, so it would be great if we could have them back for another show and have another opportunity to challenge them.
HaHa: What is the hottest Singapore idol group here? (possibly wanting a collaboration?)
Audience: There isn’t any! (Running Man members laugh)
How has Running Man affected your daily life? Do you have a phobia of bells ringing and people touching your backs?
Ji Suk Jin: I think it has not affected my daily life. However, during the show, we always have our VJs running around to film what we are doing. Although they are not my opponents, but I always get frightened easily by them. As you all know, my nametag is always ripped off quickly…
Last words
Gary: Thank you so much for coming today and we’ll see you tomorrow! We’ll have fun! Thank you so much for your love for Running Man, and we definitely appreciate your continuous support!
Song Ji Hyo: Thank you all for the warm welcome! I’m sincerely happy to be here and we have prepared a lot for tomorrow’s show, so we hope you will enjoy it.
Kim Jong Kook: I am very happy to be here again with my members, and I will try my best at tomorrow’s show, so please enjoy it!
HaHa: Me too! I love Singapore. I am very thankful and I will definitely have lots of fun tomorrow! I will never forget Singapore.
Ji Suk Jin: I am very thankful that so many people have turned up to welcome us. Singapore’s scenery is really nice, and I hope that someday Running Man can film here, with the Singapore Flyer in the background!
Although the Singaporean fans could not literally catch the Running Man members, they finally caught a glimpse of them at the fan meet on the 19th of October!
Catch the Running Man members go places every Sunday on SBS’ Good Sunday, and hopefully, we will see them start on their run across the globe soon!
Event covered by Kenny and Yunting@Hellokpop
Photos by Kenny
The post Running Man in Singapore: Gary to Song Ji Hyo “Please say it was hot!” appeared first on hellokpop.