10 highlights from Running Man's 'A Decade of Laughter' show in Manila

Have you ever felt the warm hug from a long-lost friend after years of waiting for them? That's how the Running Man cast embraced their Filipino fans rather lovingly on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

So, just picture how Jee Seok Jin, Yu Jae Seok, Kim Jong Kook, Yang Se Chan, HaHa, Song Ji Hyo, and Jeon So Min came face-to-face with their supporters after three long years of postponement of their Manila show: well, it was chaotic, in a fun way.

Here are 10 highlights for their long-awaited "A Decade of Laughter" tour.

1. Heartfelt opening song

Their show began with an emotional opening song of "Missing You" by BTOB sung by the iconic Korean runners, which was a true reflection of what they felt towards their fans and the fans alike.

They all came out of the stage one by one, each swarmed with loud cheers and sing-alongs from left to right of the arena.

2. Endless chit-chats during ments

Catch-ups and laughter filled the air during the opening ment that lasted for more than half an hour. Seok Jin can't hold his excitement back as he hypes the crowd non-stop with his endearing cheer that goes "when you say Seok Jin, you say love you," which fans followed.

"I hope my mom was here so that she knows how famous her son is," Se Chan joked in Korean. "She'll definitely cry in happiness."

Jokes aside, the seven runners only had one thing to say and that is how grateful they were to see their fans right in the flesh regardless of how many years they have waited.

3. Iconic shirt lift of Kim Jong Kook

It's a well-known fact among fans of Running Man that Jong Kook is the member who spends most of his time in the gym. That is why he has an evidently great physique.

And so, when Jong Kook gave a quick flex of his muscles on the Philippine stage, the fans absolutely lost their minds.

"I don't usually do this in Korea, but I'd do it for you," Jong Kook said as he teased the fans by lifting his shirt up, showing his beautifully sculpted abs.

4. Undeniable chemistry off-cam

Without a doubt, the chemistry of the cast remains intact even after 12 years of being together. Their looks might differ from before, but their closeness never wavered which the fans witnessed off-cam.

Being the youngest among the runners was never a hindrance to build beautiful connections with the others. And so, when So Min was asked who among the other members she often converses with, she admitted that she frequently talks to Seok Jin, the eldest. However, when it comes to pieces of advice, she said that her Ji Hyo eonnie is her go-to person. 

5. Moment for the shippers

Two of the most kilig ships in the Running Man are Se Chan and So Min, and the infamous love line of Jong Kook and Ji Hyo.

The screams erupted in the arena when Jong Kook and Ji Hyo went to the extended stage and gave the fans a little dance with their foreheads touching each other. Meanwhile, the remaining two followed suit as Se Chan twirled So Min during their mini dance.

Although they all look like romantic couples, Ji Hyo clarified that they love and treat each other as family.

6. Relay Game

What is Running Man without the fun and games! The first game was called the relay game in which pre-selected fans were given the chance to partner up with a runner. Each pair has to finish all games in a span of a minute. It consists of shoot the ball, bottle flip and ring toss.

Whoever finishes all the stages in the shortest time will win exciting prizes.
The winner of the game was Jong Kook and his partner after they successfully surpassed the games within 23 seconds. The fan won signed shirts, caps, and even a pair of sunglasses from the runners.

7. K-Pop dance quiz

The second and the last game was the K-Pop dance quiz wherein two pre-selected fans were teamed up with the members divided into two groups.

Team A is composed of So Min, Haha, and Jae Seok while Ji Hyo, Jong Kook, and Se Chan were in Team B, with Seok Jin as the repeating player of each team. Whoever guesses the most number of songs, the fan of the winning team wins memorabilia in the form of a polaroid photo with the runners.

One guess after another, Team A was triumphant in the game.

8. Special stages

The cast of Running Man proved that they are also talented runners. Each member had the opportunity to showcase their talents in singing, dancing, and even rapping!

Se Chan opened his solo stage with a rap performance of artist ZICO's song to energize the crowd, followed by Seok Jin's cover of the Filipino song "Ikaw" by Yeng Constantino in which fans swooned over.

So Min delivered a very edgy dance number of 2PM's "My House," then Jae Suk's bursting pink performance of his song "Redevelopment of Love." HaHa performed his rap song "Dang Diggi Bang," afterwards Ji Hyo served a hot dance number to the tune of "Rollin'" by Brave Girls then Jong Kook gave a heart-wrenching performance of "Easy On Me" by Adele.

Apart from their solo stages, the runners surprised the crowd with a couple of group performances that led the fans into screaming for more.

9. Fun-filled Encore

After the runners bid their farewells and stepped off the stage as the event drew to a close, an encore meter flashed on the huge LED screen. Fans need to scream as loud as they can to determine whether the runners should come back onstage or not. When they successfully filled the encore meter with their cheers, the runners came back onstage and sang another round of songs.
Everyone was up and about their feet, jumping and singing along with their beloved idols. And so, saying goodbye after hours of fun was indeed difficult to the Running Man cast and the audience alike.

10. Running Man is life

What does Running Man truly mean for the runners? For all of them, it's their life.

What does Running Man mean for the fans? It's everything.

And so what better way should the fans express their gratitude to the members? Through a successful fan project.

During the photo op with the crowd, the fans surprised the cast with a very meaningful fan project carrying loads of messages from fans all over the Philippines explaining how Running Man changed their lives. Many believed that the show helped them get through the pandemic no matter how difficult it was, while for others, they grew up with Running Man.

With these taken to heart, the runners came up with a promise: "We're gonna keep running."

And know that we will run with you too.

Thank you for the night to remember, Running Man! You were worth the wait.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News