Running Man Ep. 40: Running Olympics 2013

Ep. 40:  Running Olympics 2013: (Kwang Hee: ZE:A, Min Ho: SHINee, Sulli: F(x), Yong Hwa, Jong Hyun: CN Blue, Lee Joon: MBLAQ, L: Infinite) January 20, 2013 

 Watch it ON: http://www.dramafever.com/drama/3970/39/Running_Man/?ap=1

 You may have noticed that I tend towards watching the the RM episodes with the same guests first.  (E likes to do things in order.)   So, maybe I do have “biases” after all.  Also, I’m (usually) a big fan of the Idol Olympics episodes, for when the get the combination of guests just right it provides perfect chemistry between the RM and idol team, not to mention the idol team itself.  This was an alternately hilarious and weird episode.  

 For one thing, Kwang Hee of ZE:A didn’t seem to get the idea that great comedy comes from the basic principle of being a generous actor (i.e. sharing comedic moments with your fellow actors and not trampling all over them – theatre rant for another day).  His often rude and somewhat inappropriate comments seemed to put the rest of his idol team off balance, who were perhaps more experienced in variety and knew how to balance good-humored taunting with respect.  Also, he was basically a dead weight.  The boys (and thank goodness, Sulli) were out for blood and brought a competitive spirit to the games so by the end, flailing, whining Kwang Hee got a little old.

I am NOT saying you should skip this episode.  I’ve re-watched it a couple of times, actually.  Just roll your eyes at Kwang Hee and move on. 

 Addendum: I happened to watch Kwang Hee on an episode of Strong Heart in which he joined 2PM members, Nichkhun and Wooyoung, Bom and Dara of 2NE1 among other guests and he hit the right notes there.  He managed to keep up, but not overtake the two hosts, and had a good repartee with Lee Seungri as well.  Maybe Running Man is just not his thing.  

 

Min Ho, always a fierce and hilarious match for the "The Tiger"

 Highlights: Apparently Minho of SHINee and Joon Kook go to the same gym, which means instant competition is built right in. 

Bonus Points to Kim Jong Kook for Hamming it up during his furious Tiger attack.

Drama Moment!  Lee Jong Hyun acts as Sulli's backrest during the broom hockey half-time. 

 And while Yong Hwa of CNBLUE (see, told you, Bias problems) is an undisputed Ace but his bandmate Jong Hyun couldn’t be more different.  The nation’s MC and RM leader, Jae Suk once mentioned that Jong Hyun always looks like he’s watching RM instead of actually playing because he spends most of his time standing around laughing at his team members and being somewhat unhelpful.  Jong Hyun is hilarious here as well and seeing the usually quiet guitarist crack up is like vicariously being a part of the show yourself. 

 Also, they fling themselves into a pool.  That's always exciting