'Running Man' Returns After Three Weeks, Tops Sunday Variety Shows in 2049 Ratings [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

'Running Man,' which resumed broadcasting after a three-week hiatus, secured the top spot among Sunday variety programs in overall "2049 ratings."

According to Nielsen Korea, the ratings research firm, SBS's variety show "Running Man," which aired on the 4th, recorded a "2049 rating" of 1.7% with the appearance of comedian Heo Kyung-hwan, a guest who is like family to the cast. This achievement not only placed it first among variety shows in the same time slot but also ranked it number one across all variety content broadcast that day in Sunday "2049 ratings." The peak per-minute rating also surged to 4.4% (based on metropolitan area households).

The episode featured a race titled "Cheorwon Tteut-geo Ppuseoyo," where participants explored various tourist spots in Cheorwon and had to complete missions within a time limit to finish one line of a bingo card. The members visited Soisan Observatory, their first destination in Cheorwon, and had to resist various temptations placed along the mountain path.

The temptation they encountered was protein bars and cola. Yang Se-chan told Ji Ye-eun, "You must eat what you are told not to eat. You must do what you are told not to do. And you must do it without anyone knowing," sharing variety show tips. He then actually ate the cola but pretended to be drinking it, shouting, "I didn't drink it," and yelling at Yoo Jae-suk and Kim Jong-kook, "There is a traitor." Watching this, Ji Ye-eun exclaimed, "As expected, you are good at variety shows."

Subsequently, Yang Se-chan asked Ji Ye-eun what "Yeshin" (a nickname for variety show gods) had said after watching the broadcast. Ji Ye-eun replied shyly, "It's not 'Yeshin,' it's 'Yerang' (Variety Show King). They just say I am cute." She then cheered on Yang Se-chan, her "former potential romantic interest," saying, "Oppa, find a good partner," which drew laughter.

The next bingo task was a meal game where they had to choose between handmade sujebi (dumplings) and ramen noodles. It was revealed in advance that Heo Kyung-hwan would be the penalty recipient for the meal mission. Heo stated, "There will be one more person who chooses sujebi besides me," setting an extreme condition that he would jump into the Hantan River if he were the only one to choose sujebi. As Song Ji-hyo, Ji Ye-eun, and Ji Suk-jin chose sujebi, the members headed to the next restaurant.

During this process, Ji Suk-jin's territorial behavior began. Yang Se-chan said, "It has been 16 years," suggesting they make the same choice as befitting a member who had been with them for 16 years. However, Ji Suk-jin caught attention by saying, "You are not at 16 years. You must be certain about what is certain." Surprised, Yang Se-chan said, "It has been 10 years. No one loves 'Running Man' as much as I do," but Ji Suk-jin drove the point home by adding, "I support Se-chan's future and hope for the best, but it is not 16 years. Ye-eun has been here for 2 years." Eventually, Yoo Jae-suk announced, "I have made up my mind today. Gather at my house at 12:30," referring to Ji Suk-jin's gathering, which caused bursts of laughter.

Meanwhile, the final mission was "Pick It First or You Die," held in the flower field at Goseokjeong. In a fierce showdown between the Green Team and the Yellow Team, the Green Team achieved a complete victory and completed the bingo. Heo Kyung-hwan, Ji Ye-eun, and Yoo Jae-suk became the penalty recipients and filmed a promotional video for Goseokjeong.

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*This content was translated by AI.