A year ago, they made a promise of going back to the Philippines and now, they made it happen. The cast of Running Man returned to the Philippines for their “RUN2U” fan meeting show at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last July 6. Celebrating not only their 700th episode, which aired on April 14, 2024, but also 14 years of laughter as the longest-running variety show that every runner continues to enjoy and love.
Before the fan meet show, the Running Man Philippines cast, consisting of Mikael Daez, Glaiza De Castro, Buboy Villar, Kokoy De Santos, Angel Guardian, Lexi Gonzales, and Miguel Tanfelix, performed on stage and thanked their PH Runners for supporting the Philippine version of the show before introducing the OG cast of Running Man. It is also a historic moment for the Filipino Runners as Running Man Philippines members meet the OG Running Man Korea members together in one frame.
The cast of Running Man Philippines and Running Man Korea during the RUN2U in Manila. Photo from Running Man Philippines on Facebook.
Hosted once again by Kring Kim and Ryan Bang, the RUN2U fan meet show began with the members of Running Man gracing the stage with their rendition of BTS’ “Spring Day” to express how much they missed their Filipino Runners.
The Running Man squad delivers a heartfelt rendition of BTS’ Spring Day during #RUN2UinMANILA! 😍#RUNNINGMANinMANILA2024#RunningManAtMOAArena#ChangingTheGameElevatingEntertainment pic.twitter.com/zQhlJ5yrYH
— SM Mall of Asia Arena (@MOAArena) July 6, 2024
Yoo Jae Suk, Ji Seok Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Song Ji Hyo, HaHa, and Yang Se Chan greeted their Filipino Runners with Filipino phrases such as “Magandang Gabi”, “Kumusta kayo”, “Salamat po”, and “Mahal Kita”.
FILIPINO GREETINGS FROM RUNNING MAN! 🇵🇭
PH Runners were left amazed when the members delivered their individual greetings in Filipino during #RUN2UinMANILA.#RUNNINGMANinMANILA2024#RunningManAtMOAArena#ChangingTheGameElevatingEntertainment pic.twitter.com/M527x7uwMV
— SM Mall of Asia Arena (@MOAArena) July 6, 2024
The members cannot forget Tagalog phrases like “Mahal kita/Mahal ko kayo” and “Salamat po” because they are grateful, and they will offer another wonderful night to express their love for their PH Runners who have been running with them since day one. The RUN2U fan meet wouldn’t be complete without fun, challenging, and exciting games to play with their fans. From guessing their lines from previous episodes of the show to guessing K-pop songs and dancing to them, the Running Man members showed their competitiveness and fun sides, as if we were seeing a live episode of Running Man on stage.
PHOTO from PULP Live World
Each member of Running Man prepared solo and unit stages that got the crowd cheering for them every time they performed on stage. One of the highlights came from Ji Seok Jin, serenading the crowd with his rendition of John Legend’s “All of Me”. Another came from Yan Se Chan with his lip-sync performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. What makes it special is he got the looks of lead vocalist Freddie Mercury as he re-enacted the scene from the movie of the same song name. Cheers from fans rose as the SpartAce couple Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo sang “We Need To Talk” by The Jadu. The two members of Running Man showed their adorable charms while singing together on stage. What amazes me (even on their previous visit) are the interactions between the Running Man members and the PH Runners from taking selfies to signing papers, especially Song Ji Hyo who makes the most of her time interacting with the fans to show her love and appreciation.
PHOTO from PULP Live World
The members thanked their PH Runners for another memorable night and also those who watch them every week. Yoo Jae Suk also expressed his gratitude to the hosts Kring Kim and Ryan Bang as well as the translators and he added,
Mahal ko kayo! We can only look forward to the 15th year dahil sa inyong lahat. Salamat po dahil you brought us here where we are right now.
The RUN2U fan meet show ended with the members of Running Man singing their song “I Like It” and an encore stage with their rendition of “Time of Our Life” by DAY6, followed by Kim Jong Kook’s “Loveable”, and RGP’s “Busan Vacance” that got the whole arena singing, dancing, and jumping out of joy.
PHOTO from PULP Live World
The fan video prepared by the PH Runners might not be shown at the fan meet show but it’s never too late for the cast of Running Man to watch it and see their priceless reactions that will capture your hearts. They thanked their PH Runners for running with them through the years with love and laughter and they will continue to work hard to make every runner happy through their show.
PH Runners, you thought it was all over? 👀 Watch this heartwarming video of the RUNNING MAN hosts reacting to the fan video you poured your hearts into for RUNNING MAN “RUN 2 U” IN MANILA! 💙 Their reactions are priceless! 🥹🫶#RUN2UinMANILA #RUNNINGMANinMANILA2024 pic.twitter.com/YSI8Is4mmv
— PULP Live World (@pulpliveworld) July 20, 2024
In just a year, they fulfilled their promise to return to the Philippines and create another night of endless laughter, exciting games, amazing stage performances, and lovely memories that will always keep us running. A variety show that has been going on for over 14 years, making people happy every week, and witnessing them live will always be a surreal experience for every PH Runner present that night. -HallyuLife.com
<RUN2U> Running Man Live in MANILA is made possible by SBS and PULP Live World.
#RUN2UinMANILA #RUNNINGMANinMANILA2024
