Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Running Man China Vs Running Man Korea Special



I have being an avid fan for Korea Running Man since its broadcast four years ago. It has been a popular urban variety show in Korea and the cast members gained their popularity in Asia. Therefore, China wanted a piece of cake from the wildly popular variety Programme. After all the hype that China had purchased the copyright from Korea, I decided to watch some parts of the show out of curiosity. 

I was disappointed to say that I do not enjoy the Chinese version. The reason being the uninteresting characters. The production brought the whole concept of the game which doesn't seem to be that fun as compared to the korean version. The Chinese sense of humor does not amaze me, neither do I think they were funny. 



My bias is Kim Jong kook and I felt that he was not being "welcome" in China. He was invited as a mystery guest in this episode. The Chinese cast members have to tear off his nametag in order to win the game and receive the reward. 



Perhaps, Wong Cho-Lam was trying to be comical and he exergerated. He was deadpanned after his nametag was ripped off by kim Jong Kook. His remarks was insensitive when he mentioned that he hope Kim Jong Kook did not come to China. 



There was this great moment when Kim Jong Kook black shirt was violently ripped off during a two versus one challenge. That was the first time Jong Kook shirt was literally torn apart which reflects on the fiercely competitive nature of the Chinese counterparts. At least, we can see Kim Jong Kook muscular body and I am definitely not complaining. After this incident, the Chinese production team should consider purchasing better quality shirt for their cast members. Anyway, Kim Jong Kook was given a red shirt in replacement.



There were rumors that Kim Jong Kook was instructed to lose to the Chinese cast members. Be it intentionally or unintentionally, it does not matter as long as it created a pathway for the Korean Running Man to come as a whole to "revenge" for their member. Kim Jong Kook came to give the Chinese cast members some lessons on nametag ripping and to show his superhuman power. Yes, above all it was to congratulate the premiere of Running Man China version. 



Finally, the Korean Running Man cast were here to challenge the Running Man China. It was obvious that the Koreans went easy on the Chinese in this episode. The Koreans have to be polite to the Chinese cast, therefore they have to take things slow and give opportunities for the Chinese cast to counterattack. 



Korean Running Man has been well trained in namtag ripping during these four years of broadcasting. In order to match the level of the Chinese counterpart, the Koreans opted for a one to one challenge. There was not much of strategy used in this epsiode as expected. We know the Koreans can do better than this since they are more experienced and have great stamina. Initially, I wondered why the Chinese team leader have a small nametag as compared to the rest. I figured out that this was intended to be an advantage for the Chinese team. It was unfair to a certain extent but we can still overlook that fact since the Koreans are good in this game.



The only person I really cannot stand is Angelababy. What's up with her begging for leniency and using sympathy? She knows that she can never win Jong Kook in terms of strength and made used of his weakness for women. Song Ji Hyo is so much better than her. Thank goodness, Kim Jong Kook did not let her win or else it will be an immediate turn off for me. At least Kim Jong Kook was very gentle with her so she should be glad. In my opinion, this lady is simply annoying.



The Chinese Running Man cast were too focus on winning in comparison to the Koreans. Both groups were equally competitive since it is a matter of pride for both countries. However, the Koreans were great in adding some "variety sense" on top of being competitive. That was the greatest differences between these two teams.



Veteran MC Yoo Jae Suk is great in reporting the "live" scenerio that was happening at the scene, making the variety show more interesting. Haha is a great entertainer with his great dance steps. Gary demostrated his strong power during the nametag ripping. Kim Jong Kook and song Ji Hyo works well together as Spartace. Ji Suk Jin is entertaining as well when he took it upon himself to challenge the weakest link in the other team and won the game.



Lee Kwang Soo could have done better but he was supposed to act this way whenever a "beauty" came onscreen. That is his character in Running Man. In my opinion, the Chinese Running Man need to establish their own identify and play their characters well in order to gain more viewership. The Koreans presented themselves very well and have great sportsmanship and rapport with each other. These were traits that the Chinese Running Man team can learn from their Korean counterpart. In conclusion, I personally will not continue to watch the Chinese version as I am more than contented with the Korean version. Nothing beats the original version!









29 comments:

  1. Im also a big fan of the Korean running man. At first , I felt the same way as you do toward the two different version of running man, but after watching a few episode, I found out that the Chinese version did a pretty good job too. In terms of production, I admit that the Korean are doing a bit better, but it doesn't mean that the Chinese version is not entertaining. **I strongly dislike your bias toward the Koreans and Chinese, especially when you compare angelababy and ji hyo. When you said you can't stand angela baby begging for leniency, she is just trying to show her character to the audience. On the other hand, when you mention about kwang soo going easy on girls, you decide to call it as his "characteristic"!!! In conclusion, I recommend you watching more episode before you make judges, and please do not discriminate the Chinese. ( You are comparing a production with 4 years of experience with a brand new production.- Go watch the FIRST episode of the Korean version and judge again). There is no guarantee to be perfect in every beginning.

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    1. Well I love both K and C but the chinese representatives insulted the K cast members...Running Man is basically the senior of Hurry Up Brother and there they go explaining the difference of the cast members of K and C, I mean Hurry Up Brother is the one that needs improvement as Running Man is just perfect and it's original. The difference explained by that person insulted the K cast members which doesn't make sense.Running Man is the original of all the humors created and activitues created. Hurry Up Brother copied the games and names that were used in Running Man. Hurry Up Brother whether cast or production team should be honoured they are given this chance instead of being some mighty and arogant people thinking they are so popular that the can start insulting the seniors of all.HOWWWW RUDEEEEE OF THAT CHINESE REPRESENTITIVE

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    2. "Production of 4 years and a brand new" this makes more sense...Running Man is the senior of Hurry Up Brother. Way way way more experience, so Hurry Up Brother is the one that needs improvement instead of happily critising the Running Man members. Running Man is like the original of all the humour created and Hurry Up Brother should be honoured they are given the chance to do a copy of it

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  2. DAMN , you said allll the things that i wanted to say!!!! i really dont like angela baby character tht always trying to seduce and take the KR running man for granted! and her words of saying , li chen is the most powerful one, in the end whats the rsult? joong kook WON. HAHA. what a bitch she is.

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  3. But i wanna ask why wang cho lam didnt turn up for this?

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  4. Yes, where is Wang Cho Lam? I find him funny. Without him, it was not as funny. Wish Wang Cho Lam was here.

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  5. The only person that I cannot stand is Angela. I will always try to fast forward when it is her part. She whines and is a manipulative person. I prefer people who play smart and not use manipulation or whines. KRC should change person. Maybe ask Zheng Nan or Fann Wong to join KRC?

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  6. joker123np, I watched the KR Runningman from 1st episode to the current one. And I loved it, China Chinese are competitive and looks towards 2 things "Money" and "Pride", they just wanna win. Typical china. Peace out. RUNNINGMAN KOREA <3

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  7. unfortunately i find that the chinese RM crew severely lacks humor and dynamism compared to their korean counterparts. this boils down to their minimal experience in variety. also, each chinese RM member went after a weaker korean member early in the game and were more inclined to go in 2 vs 1 which put me off, but i can empathize with that because they were clearly the weaker side

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  8. Oh my, really appreciate to who wrote this article.. you did say all what i wanted to say... Great job man.. 👏👏👏

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  9. Chinese running man is so much better than korean, and the only korean cast guy I like is Lee Kwang Soo so racistpeople can shut up

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  10. I have watched every single Original Korean running man at least twice! and I have done season one and three of CRM. ( it is hard to find the episodes subbed '_' ) I think both teams have a personality. I really enjoy both shows. Both shows for me have one person (no names) that I wish they would change out with any one else. HAHAHA. So far, I have found the attitude of the CRM towards their challenges to be " lets accept this in good cheer" and I appreciate that. I also think the CRM has more ( and harder) challenges per episode than the original Running Man first few episodes did. I don't mind at all that the Chinese loved the show enough to make one of their own. (I wish we would make a Running Man AND a Dream Team show here in the USA. ) I hope both shows continue to do very well. Fighting!!! Jiaaaayo!!!! Special hugs to Gary and Cheeta Kai!

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  11. Running Man china so popular ! After pd Im Hyung Taek goes to china, RMC sesion 4 make more progress: funny and crazy too Lol ... you can down load in youtube key search : [ENG SUB FULL] Running Man China S4EP2 “The Princess Of The World” 20160422 【ZhejiangTV HD1080P】youtube count average 1-3 million views !

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  12. what is the title song when jongkook and angelababy fight ?

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  13. Really Hate Angela BAby with all the begging and stuff.. and how arrogant and rude when she said "you think your the best"..

    Well girl KJK is REALLY THE BEST IN NAME TAG RIPPING!!!..

    Dissapointed I watched this episode..

    Glad the Original Running Man Korea Won!!!

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  14. Really can't stand China version of running man they copy games of Korean running man even Monday/Fri couple thing.

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  15. Really can't stand China version of running man they copy games from korean running man even Mon/Fri couple thing.

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  16. I can't stand running man china! angela acts like the type of girl i would wanna punch in class, her voice irritates me other than that, how dare they insult running man korea. Even on the first episode i was hooked on, just watched a few episodes of RMC and i couldn't have a minute without skipping parts. RMK is way better we gotta admit. RMC is just showing their greedy side, just because you lost, psh, when running man loose they don't get mad they encourage each other because they are a family. Won't watch RMC again they don't have sense of humor either. Also to point out this isn't racism there both in one continent (Asia). just shows who actually loves what they do and who doesn't.

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    1. I just watched a few minutes of the Chinese version and couldn't stand it. (And it was their season 4).
      The Korean running man is way better. I can't believe SBS sent their main PDs to China, and now canceled the show, after ratings went down.
      The Chinese version is just so stiff, without the dynamic between the MC and members like the Running Man. Korean MC's skills and comedian background is really a plus. While the Chinese version is just the PD instructing them to do games.
      Also sidenote, Angelababy's face is a complete plastic surgery makeover. Look at her former photo, and you won't think it's the same person.

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  17. I first started and preferred Chinese version as they know trick but don't cheat in games. Recently i also just started Korean version and when sees they cheat in game i was like omg why i am wasting my time on another stupid unfairly game play again! Of cos compare on funny, Both are funny to me. But i don't enjoy on unfair games. My suggestion is Korean running man should do fair games and not leet members cheat. E.G when players out of game they should not be talking to players that are still in game. Fake announcements like haharo use to cheat other game players etc.

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    1. If you do not understand what is the purpose of variety show please do not even bother posting :) IT IS A VARIETY SHOW NOT COMPETITIVE SHOW. Get it ? That is why CHINA running man is PLAIN and BORING BELOW AVERAGE. Hope this clarify your lost thought

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    2. ITS CALLED A VARIETY SHOW NOT A COMPETITIVE SHOW. WIN WIN WIN is that all you know? Cheating is meant to make the show funny for goodness sake. IF you don't understand what is a variety show JUST DO NOT BOTHER GIVING A PIECE OF YOUR MIND. IT is SICKENING... period.

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    3. your plain and boring averge person.

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  18. I love korean.running man always

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