Actress Jung Chae-yeon made her highly anticipated first appearance on the popular variety show ‘Running Man,’ showcasing a surprisingly clumsy and energetic performance that had viewers in stitches. The episode, which aired on Sunday, featured special guests engaging in a series of chaotic missions and lively activities, promising non-stop laughter.
Undercover Tycoon vs. Detective Race
The main game of the day was an ‘Undercover Tycoon vs. Detective’ race. The cast was divided into two teams: the Tycoon team, tasked with finding a hidden spy within their ranks and facilitating the escape of a “tycoon” and a “company president,” and the Detective team, aiming to apprehend the president. The first mission involved a game called ‘Mouthful of Lies,’ where teams had to guess hints about the spy within their own group by engaging in a verbal battle. To prevent slip-ups, a strict rule was implemented: any use of English would incur penalties. This led to a comical struggle as cast members resorted to extreme measures, even placing tape over their mouths, to avoid speaking English and giving away crucial information.
The humor escalated when Yoo Jae-suk and Yang Se-chan, attempting to use the English word ‘in,’ hilariously misinterpreted it, claiming it meant “person in” or “dizzying in.” This absurd explanation sent the studio into fits of laughter. Physical comedy also took center stage, with Ahn Bo-hyun, known for his strength, surprisingly fumbling at critical moments, heading in the wrong direction, or making unexpected blunders, revealing an uncharacteristic clumsiness. Kim Jong-kook, the show’s resident strongman, also contributed to the laughter with his own series of verbal missteps, earning him the nickname ‘King of Gaffes’ on this occasion.
In contrast, Jung Chae-yeon threw herself into the game with full commitment, diving and heading the ball in a valiant effort to keep the game going. Witnessing her fearless approach, Yoo Jae-suk humorously remarked that he initially thought it was a “sloth game,” implying her intense efforts were unexpected. The confusion intensified as both guests and regular members struggled with English, leading to rampant suspicion. Accusations flew, with members questioning, “How many spies are there?” plunging the set into a state of delightful pandemonium.
Lunch Mission Mayhem
The lunch mission proved to be another arena for the novice guests to showcase their unpredictable energy. Jung Chae-yeon, having failed the lunch mission, displayed her budding variety show instincts by engaging in a clumsy “boing” dance alongside Kim Shin-bi in a desperate bid to earn a meal. Kim Shin-bi, revealing his hometown of Anyang, was quickly recognized by Kim Jong-kook as a fellow “Anyang 동생” (younger sibling from Anyang). This sparked a playful jab from Kang Sang-joon, who also claimed Anyang as his birthplace, leading Kim Jong-kook to jokingly draw a line, calling them “students from a vocational school,” much to everyone’s amusement.
The guests’ remarkable performances, defying their status as variety show rookies, raised anticipation for the further comedic moments they would bring. Viewers are keenly interested to see which team will secure the crucial hints amidst the spy-induced chaos and whether the rookie guests can maintain their wild energy until the end of the ‘Undercover Tycoon vs. Detective’ race.
Upcoming Drama Connection
Adding to the excitement, Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Chae-yeon are set to co-star in the new SBS Friday-Saturday drama ‘Flex x Cop 2,’ which premieres on July 7th. This drama marks their first collaboration. The series follows Jin Yi-soo, a third-generation chaebol who, when his investigation hits a wall, uses his vast wealth to turn the tables, alongside new team leader Joo Hye-ri. Their money-fueled investigations promise a blend of thrilling, refreshing, and exhilarating moments. ‘Flex x Cop 2’ is part of the SBS ‘peninsula universe,’ following successful dramas like ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘The Fiery Priest,’ and ‘Through the Darkness,’ and is generating significant buzz as the first installment of SBS’s seasonal dramas for 2026.
