Tuesday Running Man: Episode 154, Asian Dream Cup 2013 in Shanghai

Ever since the Running Man team went to Shanghai for the Dream Cup, there were news and pictures all over the internet that I can't help but be excited over it. The most popular photo that was up was Lee Kwang Soo's, when he was kicked in the ass by Captain Park Ji Sung. It was hilarious and right then I knew that Kwang Soo made many mistakes in the field. And so the most awaited episode came, with Park Ji Sung back from the last episode with Koo Ja chul. This time, Patrice Evra, who is Park Ji Sung's close friend from Manchester United, is their guest.

Warning: Contains spoilers!

When these four entered, I thought, "Wow, flashy airport fashion huh." Then I realized, "Wait what. It's summer there right?" And so I understood that it was their punishment for losing in last week's episode.

Ji Suk Jin's fur hat is so hilarious. He looks like a rich madam. Haha! Poor Kwang Soo though, it looks so hot. And I mean warm-hot not hot-hot. The other members look nice in shades of blue/gray this summer.

Now for the mission. The losing team has to become slaves for the winning team in order to get rid of the winter clothes. In this screen cap above, we see Kim Jong Kook being bossed around by Sulli (which we all know that KJK had promised Sulli to become her slave from the Winter Running Olympics). Yoo Jae Suk is coaching her on what to say to KJK, while everyone asks her to talk down to KJK.

Well of course, our most awaited moment. With Ji Hyo in the losing team, Gary gets to be the "master" for once. They drink together from Gary's Caramel Macchiato that Ji Hyo bought.

"I want you, Kang Gary!" Ji Hyo yelled, while facing a crowd at the airport. She did this as her last mission in order to become free from Kang Gary as a slave. Before this scene, as they went to the crowd, "Girl who can't break up, boy who can't leave" by LeeSsang was playing in the background. Oh, I just love that song especially when Monday Couple is involved.

When Ji Hyo was done with her mission, Kwang Soo immediately provided comic relief and shouted, "I want you, Ha Dong Hoon. (Haha)" Kwang Soo was Haha's slave, and he thought that by doing what Ji Hyo did, Haha would also be pleased and get rid of his slave status. Haha, unfortunately, wasn't pleased at all and scolded Kwang Soo afterwards.

Upon arriving in Shanghai, they had a press conference about the Asian Dream Cup 2013. Fighting!

Patrice Evra was then officially introduced to the audience after the Running Man members called him to come out and threw every English phrase that they knew.

When Evra was asked how old he thinks JSJ is, Evra answered 38. Not bad huh? Our wanko hyung (big nose hyung) is actually almost in his 50's now..

But when asked how old he thinks LKS is, he coldly replied, "42." Everyone cracked up of course because our maknae (youngest) looks older than the oldest JSJ. Ultimately, LKS is considered to be an "internationally old" person.

And Mr. Go Dong Wan FD or for now, "DongLi," makes an appearance again. Evra was shocked to know that DongLi is actually a man because according to him, "he looks more beautiful than Sulli and Ji Hyo." That was so funny I had to pause for a moment to feel the happiness.

The game is a board game, with missions according to the spaces. Once a team completes the mission, they don't have to pay and gets to take a turn after the next team. But when they fail to do so, they have to pay 1,000 yuan to DongLi.

The first mission was Ttakji (paper hitting). Of course, Running Man fans would be able to know the significance of this game in Running Man. In the screen cap above, JSJ catches the ttakji used for hitting just after he hit the absolute ttakji below. He used all his energy to catch the ttakji because he's given three chances to try as long as he catches the ttakji after hitting. It was hilarious as hell because he keeps on catching the ttakji.

Evra goes for it, and wins! KJK and Evra won the game and so they didn't have to pay DongLi.

During Park Ji Sung's team's turn, they had to kick the ball and shoot it in a huge jar. No one was able to shoot the ball and so they failed. But Evra feels like it would be easy to do it just to mock his close friend, PJS, so he tried it. His first try was a failure but he pretended to be hurt in his feet so he gave it another try. The second try was successful.

Captain versus captain. What was so funny about this game was it is a miniature football and instead of using feet, they use straws. These two are popular and talented football players yet they get so serious about playing this game which was so funny.

At the finals of the straw-ball, Evra's team made a fuss and helped make Evra comfortable before the game. They got him water, a chair, and even massaged him. Haha! It's too bad though, since PJS won this round.

The acupressure mat makes its appearance again. The game was a trust game, were the members of Evra's team need to jump 50 times using a jumping rope, on top of the mats. As a first timer, Evra was surprised to see how LKS jumped continuously because just touching his feet was painful enough. In the end, Evra made the team win though even without KJK's aide. 

The game above is like a pass-heading game where two players pass the ball to each other by using their heads. Evra's team won. With this win, Evra's team was the first to cross the finish line in the board game.

After winning the game, Evra kissed DongLi! I was like, "OMG, what are you doing?" Is it wrong for me to ship this bromance?

The next game is goal photozone. The mission is to smile while the photo is being taken. The catch is, a member of the opposite team will attempt to make a goal while the photo is being taken. In the photo above, YJS attempts to dodge the ball while making a funny face.

That's why the other Running Man members call you ugly, Lee Kwang Soo! LKS is a pretty charming man once he's serious but when he makes a face like this, omg, he's so ugly (it's funny though..). He then earned the nickname "Kwangsoo-kkeobi," which means "KwangsooToad."

Now is the start of Kwang Soo's misfortune. When Sulli attempted to kick the ball, it hit LKS's feet, then his face. Kwang Soo really is blessed by the god of variety with all the body gags.

The games ended, Evra's team got 2 tickets for a chance to play in the dream cup. Captain Park and Captain Evra chose two members from their respective teams and it's not a surprise anymore because we've all seen the pictures from the game. Yoo Jae Suk and Haha are from PJS team and Lee Kwangsoo and Kim Jong Kook from Evra's team.

The actual day for the Dream Cup!

Let's follow Park Ji Sung! The Running Man members who were chosen to play followed PJS around and copied what he's doing for warm up. 

A cute banner created by fans from Shanghai!

And so the game starts. Ji Suk Jin is telling the other members that he should have been picked to play, and he continues to say so until the end of the game, along with Gary. Ji Hyo looks nervous and I swear (no joke intended but I swear, by the moon..) my reactions were the same as hers.

Kim Jong Kook, who is popular in Shanghai, got to be in the first set of players to start the game. Thereafter, Lee Kwang Soo was called and asked to prepare and warm up because he'll be substituting for KJK soon. Look at his "I can't believe this" face. 

"Kwangsoo yaahh!!"

When these four supporters found out that Kwang Soo will be coming out soon, mixed emotions were found. They're happy yet nervous for Kwang Soo. I definitely sympathize with SJH because I was also nervous/worried for Kwang Soo.

LKS enters the field. He seems nervous yet his face is still funny.

JSJ comments that because of Kwang Soo's height, he looks like the football athlete, Peter Crouch. 

Of course, Kwang Soo's misfortune. He was definitely doing his best, and he was active in the game. But unfortunately, luck doesn't find him. Players from the opposite team bumped into him, steals the ball, and other bad things..

LKS got a chance to kick a PK (Penalty Kick). The ball was too far from the goal and his kick was a bit weak that the goalee just catched the ball without a sweat.

Here it comes, the PJS kick in famous article which came out 3 weeks before this episode. Because Kwang Soo failed to shoot a goal, Captain Park kicked Kwang Soo's ass.

Kwang Soo was finally benched and when asked how it felt to play in the field, he gagged. It was not only tiring, he said but Park Ji Sung was also scary and he even yelled at him. Poor Kwang Soo. It's alright, you'll catch a break. You did well anyway. Haha!

It's finally Haha's turn. He had this Iron Man shirt beneath. He's really a fan huh. I want to see him wear this with his Iron Man cap. I wonder if he has an Iron Man pants?

Just before Haha enters the field, Captain Park scores the first goal! In an awesome way of course. (cue music, bambarambarambabarabam)

Haha enters the field, replacing Min Ho (Shinee). *cue pororo theme song*

VJ Kwon Ryul took the chance to make Jae Suk more nervous than he is by asking how he feels. Kwon Ryul even asked him to make sure JS shoots a goal. Oh VJ Kwon Ryul.. 

These athletes are cheering on Haha to kick the PK. Look at their mocking faces, so funny.

Another Ji Hyo moment that I can relate to. "Don't bully our Haha oppa!" Because everyone was making Haha kick the PK. All I can say is "aww." In these moments, we see how close they've all become in Running Man.

Another concerned family, LKS. "Don't bully our hyung!"

Just when everyone was making Haha do the kick, YJS enters the field. Now, Haha points his finger to Jae Suk and even though JS just entered, he has to do the PK. Ji Hyo again is panicked. I was too, if you must know. It was really a nerve-wracking scene, with the background music and stuff.

Yoo Jae Suk kicks the ball. What could these reactions mean? YJS didn't have his glasses on, the rain was pouring, and the pressure is huge. YJS kicked the ball, and hadn't it hit the goal post, it was a perfect goal. And so the "too bad" faces.

The screen cap above shows YJS and Haha doing a high-five. Did they score a goal? No. Did they assist in scoring a goal? No. But they succeeded in passing the ball from Haha to JS. Although, JS lost it to the other team. The other Running Man members were mocking them telling that they didn't deserve to do a high-five. Haha! They just wanted to acknowledge their passing skills..

Aaand an athlete scores a second goal for the JS friends team!

This calls for a chant! "Daehanminguk! chachagchachagchag!" I always feel the patriotism of Koreans whenever they do that chant. What's weird is that I feel like a part of their country too, whenever I hear that. Must be my sentiments going for them.

The Asian Dream Cup 2013 in Shanghai ends with a score of 2 - 0 in favor of JS friends team! Yay for Running Man! 

Park Ji Sung thanks all those who participated in the dream cup. *claps*

That ends episode 154, with a roller coaster of emotions. This has got to be one of the best Running Man episodes so far where you can see their closeness, Monday Couple goodness, fun games, nervousness, and pure laughter! 

Next week's episode is a summer horror special, which is in a high school/reunion setting. The guest is Suzy from Miss A. Suzy has been a guest in Running Man for how many episodes now? Anyways, I'm looking forward to next week's Running Man.

P.S.

I told myself that I would be collecting screen captures of only the highlights of the episode but it turns out that every corner of the show is worth talking about. And so the result is this looooong post.