Run Jin: Episode 36 — It's the Last Episode and They're Telling Me to Go Up

A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS. I started this episode laughing along with Sandeul, just basking in their BFF-ness, and ended up teary-eyed at Hobi's message and the staff's love and dedication to Jin and this show… I just can't believe it's over. Thank you, Jin and the Run Jin staff, for giving us 36 episodes fun adventures, new experiences, and hilarious collaborations. 

On that note, the next adventure is the Run Jin Tour! I actually forgot that Jin's upcoming tour is based on this show, which makes me wonder what kind of shenanigans he'll be up to at these concerts… and I can't wait to see it in person.

Run Jin: Episode 35 — Mission: Jin-Impossible

Jin: "Do you know BTS?"

Tom Cruise: "Yes! Yes, I know BTS! We all know BTS."

Jin: "Ah, BTS members! Tom Cruise knows us!"

Tom Cruise: "First of all, I just wanna say, congratulations. Your band, and your career, and what you've created, it's very impressive. And I'm a big fan. I'm very happy to be here, to be on your show right now."

It just occurred to me that, even though Tom Cruise is one of the biggest celebrities in the world for Millennials and Gen X'ers, BTS might actually be considered bigger celebrities for Gen Z... and that's kind of mind-blowing.

Run Jin: Episode 34 — Taekwon Jin

There's a reason I quit all martial arts by the time I was 11. My joints hurt just from watching this. 

Run Jin: Episode 33 - Jin Wick (+ Clock-Out Mission Trailer)

Coincidentally, I watched the first two John Wick movies on Netflix about a month ago, and I have a whole new level of respect for Keanu Reeves because my body hurts just from watching this (and Reeves was already 50 when the first John Wick was released!). Anyway, Jin should totally look into acting. I mean, aside from being what he majored in, he's already got the visuals, and being in K-pop means he already has the stamina... plus, he looks pretty badass, doesn't he?

Run Jin: Episode 32 — Game Master Showdown 2

Sigh. I, too, would be full of distrust playing any game with Jin. 

Run Jin: Episode 31 — Game Master Showdown 1

Okay, I love the chemistry of the HYBE boys, but Yeonjun is unexpectedly hilarious. 

Run Jin: Episode 30 — Run Jin B&B

I thought Kian's Bizarre B&B was just going to be available to watch in Korea, but I just found it featured on my Netflix homepage, so guess what I'm watching next?

Run Jin: Episode 29 — House of Serenity

My takeaways from this episode:

1. Always read the terms and conditions of any game. 
2. Jin is, and always will be, the King of Halli Galli. Don't even try to beat him at it. Even if you do, he'll cheat to win, anyway.
3. Everything in this episode gave me anxiety. I AM NOT A SERENE PERSON, OKAY? (This is why I'm on heart rate medication. No, seriously.)
4. I need to get Jin Ramen the next time I'm at the supermarket.

Run Jin: Episode 28 — Falling for Jin!

Jin: "It's so great to see you. Whoa, you're really handsome! It's like looking into a mirror."

Hyungsik: "I'm not good at games…"

Jin: "Just cheat naturally. We'll all look the other way."

Jin, pointing at the game board: "If you go this way, only death awaits."

Hyungsik: "A game that's making me not want to play before even getting started is a first."

The production staff is getting more diabolical by the episode and I'm living for it. Falling for Jin, indeed.

Run Jin: Episode 27 — The Fencing Guys

"It works because it's so annoying." — Oh Sanguk, commenting on Jin's new fencing movements but could be applied to basically everything Jin does when he learns a new skill and tries to cheat with it.

Anyway, this is the most I have ever learned about fencing and it's actually pretty interesting. (Also seeing two gold medalist fencers giggling together after successfully stabbing an apple in mid-air is the cutest thing I have ever seen.) But more importantly, is everyone on the Korean national fencing team this goddamn handsome? 

Run Jin: Episode 26 — The Scorching Gourmet

"KAWAII DESU NE!"

I don't think I have actually laughed out loud this hard with any other episode. I had never heard of Matsushige Yutaka nor Kangnam before, but they're fucking hilarious and this random group has amazing chemistry, teamwork, and comedic timing. (A highlight was definitely Kangnam rehashing conversations with his wife out loud by himself to remember the name for banana milk and dalgona.) They just worked together effortlessly, unlike Jin's team on the Squid-Jin Game episodes. Definitely could've watched at least another two episodes with this trio.

Run Jin: Episode 25 — Squid-Jin Game 2

As expected, the Dongpyo kid did not get any less annoying and, if anything, further proved that he is still deadweight in these games. And pushing the whole "cutie patootie" thing did not make me sympathize or warm up to him in the least and actually irked me even more. Honestly, never have I disliked a guest more. Can't wait for the next episode.

Run Jin: Episode 24 — Squid-Jin Game 1

Okay, I usually quite enjoy all the guests that are on Run Jin, but this kid Dongpyo is the very epitome of the phrase, "You can talk the talk, but you can't walk the walk." He thinks he's cute and charming — and he probably can be — but here, his confidence comes off as cockiness and he ends up being both obnoxious and cringy. Jin can be totally shameless, too, but he has the achievements, experience, and global stardom to back himself up, and he comes off as funny because he doesn't take himself seriously. However, Dongpyo quite literally introduces himself as being "good at everything" and says he's the "type that wants to be the star" and has "to be the one to shine" — when he's on someone else's show, mind you — but has nothing to back himself up with and ends up being the weakest link in a physical competition episode. I also thought he had a terrible dynamic with quite literally everyone on this show and it seemed like Jin and the other guests were kind of just tolerating him. I'm guessing they added him as a guest to appeal to a younger audience or to the next generation of idol fans, but unfortunately, this episode ended up being really annoying to watch.

Run Jin: Episode 23 — Jin in the Strange Land of Fairytales

I love escape rooms so I especially appreciate this episode, but at this point, I'm more interested in how Jin will cheat his way through (and convince his teammates to cheat with him). 😂

Run Jin: Episode 22 — Jin vs. Jin (feat. Climbing)

Jin: "Which level do you think I can do?"

Instructor: "I think you'll be good at everything-"

Jin: "No, I'm really won't."

Instructor: "Do you like to jump?"

Jin: "No."

Instructor: "Ah, then, what do you like?"

Jin: "Computer games."

Instructor: "Computer games?"

Jin: "Yes."

Instructor: "Then, do you hate to lose?"

Jin: "I don't mind."

Instructor: "Ah, you don't mind… Then, you'd be happy throughout!"

Jin: "I'm a princess!"

Jin: "I'm drooling!"

Jin: "I'm not Spiderman! I can't hang from that!"

I swear, Jin is getting more chaotic with age. 

Run Jin: Episode 21 - Variety Show Extravaganza 2

[Trying to mimic the sound of a fax]

Yongjin: "Ramyeon cooker? Water boiler?"

Bongsun: "Airplane?"

Kyunghwan: "Vacuum, vacuum!"

Bongsun: "Combat plane?"

Yingjin: "Vibrate?"

Jin: "I don't know! I've never sent one before, so I don't know!"

Kyunghwan: "I learned about Seokjin's many charms today."

Jin, smiling brightly: "What kind of charms?"

Kyunghwan, patting Jin on the back: "He doesn't know what he's doing."

Okay, but the editors are just getting more and more unhinged with the captions and I am here for it.

Run Jin: Episode 20 — Variety Show Extravaganza 1

I don't even know what this is song is, but I can never hear it again. Like, ever. 

Run Jin: Episode 19 — Gymnastics Day

I love that, like Run BTS!, this show gives Jin so many opportunities to try new, random things and discover that he's actually pretty damn good at them. Like, who knew he had gymnast potential? At 32?! (Also, I don't know how close Jin and Beomgyu actually are, but this is giving the most chaotic sibling energy.)

Run Jin: Episode 18 — The Magpie Jin That Repaid a Favour

God, those lunchboxes look insane. Here, you'd get like, a sandwich, some veggie sticks, maybe some fruit, and a bag of chips. (At least, if I made it. Because I don't cook. I assemble.) 

Also, Hong Jinkyung is right. If any member of BTS came to my house to cook with my mother and she didn't tell me about it, I would totally disown her. Or, at least, hold a grudge about it for, like, five years.

Run Jin: Episode 17 — New Year's Gift Giveaway

Love this friendship so much. This episode really highlights their teamwork, how they hype each other up to give each other energy, and how they can cheat at games better together… This is what being besties is all about.