Actor Choi Daniel has joined SBS’s ‘Running Man’ as a new cast member, maintaining the show’s top position in the ‘2049 ratings’.
The episode of SBS’s variety show ‘Running Man’ that aired on the 6th recorded a target demographic rating of 2.7% in the ‘2049 ratings’, ranking first among variety shows during the same time slot, with a peak rating of 6.2% (according to Nielsen Korea, based on households in the metropolitan area).
The recording that day was themed around the ‘New Family Gag Race’, featuring a special welcome ceremony for Choi Daniel, who joined as a new cast member. The members decided to gather earlier than Choi Daniel to prepare the welcome, and Yoo Jae-suk, Ha Ha, and Yang Se-chan surprised Choi Daniel at his home. The members were tasked with getting Choi Daniel to work as quickly as possible, and since any direct urging would result in a deduction of points, the three approached him under the pretext of filming a vlog for his first day as a cast member.
Choi Daniel, who thought the recording was at 2 PM, appeared as a ‘natural person’ during the sudden attack, bringing great laughter. With messy hair and an unkempt beard, the members exclaimed, “Are you in costume? You look like a castaway.” In response, Choi Daniel said, “I was sleeping. What’s going on?” while scratching his belly, showcasing his ‘real endgame’ persona. Afterward, Choi Daniel leisurely prepared for work, prompting Yoo Jae-suk to spray shaving foam on his bare face, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
After a series of twists and turns, Choi Daniel finally arrived at the filming location, where he held a modest welcome ceremony with the members, officially declaring his joining as a new cast member.
Additionally, Choi Daniel drew attention with his chemistry with Ji Yeo-eun. In the second mission, ‘Running Man Nabileura’, they had to memorize the menu written behind a high wall, and since a piggyback was essential, understanding each other’s weight was crucial. Ji Yeo-eun claimed, “I weigh 45kg,” but everyone dismissed it as a lie, while Choi Daniel asserted, “If you’re 172cm tall, you weigh 59kg.” An indignant Ji Yeo-eun retorted, “What’s with 58kg?” and Choi Daniel cheerfully replied, “Are you going to weigh more?” eliciting laughter.
The mission featured Yoo Jae-suk, Song Ji-hyo, and Ji Yeo-eun as representatives, and the members who lifted Ji Yeo-eun were surprised, saying, “It feels different,” and after the piggyback, Yoo Jae-suk remarked, “I feel like I’m going to throw up,” igniting the ‘Ji Yeo-eun weight controversy’. With the points rising to 100,000, the members settled for lunch with Choi Daniel’s favorite dish, Sundae Gukbap.
Meanwhile, next week’s broadcast will feature the continuation of the ‘New Family Gag Race’ and a ‘Driving Determination’ race for the driving novice Ji Yeo-eun.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
