Today I deviate from my tradition of commenting exclusively on Western television shows and movies. Today, I talk about the reality show that has introduced me to Korea – its food, its pop culture, its entertainment industry, and the country in general.
In the long, long time since I last checked in, I have discovered another outlet for my love of film and television – Korea. It started with A Frozen Flower, and from then on, Running Man.
In my desperate attempts to sustain the beautiful yet painful experience of A Frozen Flower, I turned to the filmography of the lead actor and actress for inspiration. Sadly, the lead actor went into army after making A Frozen Flower, and his past works were mainly modern dramas. On the other hand, Song Ji-Hyo's filmography proved to be a treasure trove of wonders. Running Man, was one of them.
At that point of time, my only experience with reality shows have been from Hollywood, where generic franchises like Survivor, American Idol, Project Runway, Newlyweds are reigned by C or lower - listed entertainers and actors. It is a realm where respectable actors and entertainers do not tread. So it came as a great surprise to me, how can an actress as popular and successful as Song Ji-hyo, stay on at Running Man for 80 or 90 episodes (spanning over more than 1 year), without any other notable works during this period? What was this reality show that could capture not only the audience's attention, but the actress' heart?
So, on I went to take a sampler on Youtube. As expected, the quality and selection of videos on YouTube was extremely limited due to copyrighted content (Korea was extremely good at coordinating censorship of its copyright contents with YouTube). But I managed to find a respectably cut video, the first episode I ever watched, of an episode featuring a member of SNSD. I am oblivious to the appeal of SNSD, but just from glimpsing the interactions among the regular members, I was hooked.
Running Man's format is that of an urban Amazing Race. Every week, members along with the weekly guests are divided into separate teams and made to compete with each other. The filming location for each episode varies. Different challenges are thought up of each week, frequently in conjunction to showcase the locale's unique attractions, food, or people. At the end of each episode, a final winner is declared and a whole new competition begins anew the following episode. In the whole time I was in University, I have never discovered another show that made me laugh as hard, as often, and as true. It was the members' wit, passion, silliness, camaraderie and competitiveness that really shone through in every episode of my beloved show. For 3 weeks, I did little else besides catching up on the backlog of running man. It was running man for breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper. And my favourite member, doubtless to say, was Song Ji-Hyo.
Ji-hyo is not book smart, or even remotely good at intellectual games. As the sole female member on the team, she is outgunned and outmuscled, literally, but never outwitted. Many a times, she stood aside and pretended to be the weak, harmless, fragile observer, while the rest of the members duked it out. In the final crucial moment, she rears up and executes stunning game changing surprises, winning the game on her intelligence, if not physical strength.
Korean reality shows are also interesting in the way they like to pair up couples in their roster of hosts and entertainers - "The Loveline". Entertainers participating in the "Loveline" are expected to flirt and be affectionate towards each other on a regular basis. The "Loveline" is set up so that audiences can voyeuristically enjoy the development of make-believe on-screen romance, a la mini-The Bachelor, and therefore become even more emotionally invested in the entertainers presenting the show. Despite having developed a relatively innovative game structure, Running Man yet operated in a generic Korean reality show environment and it was no surprise that several episodes into the show, the production team decided there is a need to "create" a "loveline" for the sole female member.
And the production team's choice was... the unlikely Kang Gary. Rapper Gary was at first sight, quiet, awkward, plain looking. A veritable guy-next-door on his first reality show, not the first person I would pick for Song Ji-hyo when they also have the pretty Song Joong Ki and the muscleman Kim Jong Kook. It was the first loveline for both Song Ji-hyo and Kang Gary; both were reluctant to be thrust into the situation and were extremely awkward and embarrassed at the start. However, the years went by, Gary became ever more confident in his entertainment skills, occasionally blurting comical witty one-liners. When Ji-hyo was revealed to be dating her management firm's CEO in real life, their love-line evolved from pretend affections to hilarious unrequited feelings from Gary. Most importantly, he became the direct complement to Ji-hyo: he was strong where Ji-hyo was weak, straightforward where Ji-hyo was devious, and underneath it all, they shared a solid friendship from working together for 3 years.
On the most recent episode aired on 15 September, Gary kissed Song Ji-hyo!!!(On the cheek, as part of a challenge) My first reaction was, "That's frigging awesome!!! So sweet!!!!" My second thought was, "Why the hell do I care when I know it's not real?" My third thought was of an episode long ago, when they had a teenage idol guest who said, "I am such a big fan of the Monday Couple (referring to Gary and Ji-hyo who only dates on Monday when Running Man films), I really want to wish them well!" Which brings me to a full circle – how did I write everything in the last 3 paragraphs, and still be so invested in a relationship that I know is as manufactured as plastic? How did people in the entertainment industry who help to create the illusion of such false truths, become so invested? What is this mystical allure of the loveline, even when people know it's not real?
Alas, I have no answers. I am as much the next regular person who had fallen under Running Man's spell. Running Man makes me happy. I watch it the first opportunity I get, whether is it Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday. It's had its boring moments, especially when they recycles silly challenges like the ddakji, but otherwise, it is the highlight of my week. I admire the production team's creativity, sadistic humor and meticulous planning. I love the members' cohesiveness, dedication and occasional absurdity. Truth, I love Running Man.
