Run BTS! 2.0: BTS in Toronto Ep. 2

Yoongi: "Why is this actually so exciting? I think pickleball might be our thing!"

Yoongi: "I just need to move as little as possible."

Yoongi: "I just stood there and still lost!"

Yoongi: "That really just now was really good. Honestly, that was pretty cool."

Yoongi: "I think we might've… finally… found a ball sport for us!"

You know, despite moving the least, I think Yoongi enjoyed pickleball more than anyone else.

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS in Toronto Ep. 1

• Yoongi speed-walking like a grandpa is the cutest thing I have ever seen. 
• Jungkook is truly a genius-level troll.
• Yoongi self-eliminating to avoid having to play a game is the most Yoongi-coded thing I've ever seen.  
• The unbridled laughter of these seven men playing children's games is the ultimate balm to soothe the soul. 
• Sorry, but poutine without cheese curds is not poutine. 
• Yoongi, Jin, and Jimin are wrong about avocados, but I guess everyone has to be wrong sometimes. 
• The "I'll think about it" debate is truly dependent on context. If a friend asked me, "Do you want to see the Backstreet Boys next year?" I'd reply, "I'll think about it," because I'd actually need to think about it. But if a co-worker asked me, "Do you want to go to the Christmas party?" I'd reply, "I'll think about it," but what I really mean is, "No."
• I love that "X-nailing" a mosquito bite is universal.
• I would 100% rather wash someone else than have someone wash me, unless I absolutely had no choice (like, as Namjoon says, I broke all my limbs). But if I were a BTS member? I could really go either way...
• I love that they've been idols for so long that they would have to discuss with their protocol team on how to handle a situation wherein one of their members turned into a zombie.
• My god. I haven't laughed this much in a very long time. My cheeks hurt. My eyes have sweat actual tears. I have missed Run BTS! so fucking much.

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS in Toronto — Preview

As someone from Toronto, it makes me feel strangely honoured that BTS has now filmed multiple Run BTS! episodes here over two visits (Episodes 69/70/71 were filmed in 2018 and released in 2019). I knew that they had quite a bit of free time while they were in Toronto back in August, judging from all their restaurant jaunts and the BTS staff's (and RM's) adventures in Niagara Falls, but I really wasn't expecting them to film anything official here so this is a delightfully pleasant surprise. Can't wait to watch Part 1 next Tuesday!

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS' Trip Ep. 3 — The Great Foot Volleyball Showdown

To summarize the episode:

"Yah, your foot's got a little anger in it!" — Jungkook

"I laughed so hard, I'm all out of energy." — Jimin

It is always a good time when BTS plays foot volleyball.

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS' Trip Ep. 2 — You've never kneeled with your hands up for an hour, have you?

Jungkook: "How about this, then? Each member picks someone and shares an idea that suits them."

Taehyung: "Uh, even if that member doesn't want to do it?"

Jungkook: "Yep. You can only listen. Listen without saying a word."

Yoongi: "We're just suggesting ideas."

Jin: "For Jimin, I think climbing the Himalayas would suit him."

Jimin: [stunned silence]

Jungkook: "You can't say anything about it, Jimin."

Namjoon: "Oh, this is how it works?"

Taehyung: "For Yoongi, I say pole dancing."

[Everyone cracks up]

Yoongi: "That'd suit me very well."

Taehyung: "Apparently, it's great for your health."

Yoongi: "It gets your blood flowing right away."

Hoseok: "I'd like to see Jin have a really serious conversation."

Taehyung: "He's actually really serious when you talk to him one-on-one."

Yoongi: "It can be something like his thoughts on the AI industry."

Jin, looking exhausted: [pinches nose bridge]

Namjoon: "Right, or his thoughts on the current Korean society."

Hoseok: "Something very intellectual."

Jimin: "Wait a minute. But why is mine climbing the Himalayas?"

Namjoon: "If we want to make Hoseok suffer, it would have to be something like, 'wear the same outfit for a whole month.'"

Hoseok: [loudest groan ever]

Taehyung: "I'd have to say personal colour analysis for Jungkook."

Jungkook: "But I did want to try that!"

Taehyung: "He only ever wears black."

Namjoon: "So he can't wear black and has to wear red, blue, purple, and green."

Jungkook: [looking scandalized]

Jimin: "How about something like a stunt show for Jungkook?"

Namjoon: "Or finding something Jungkook can't do?"

Taehyung: "He actually can't do a lot of things."

Namjoon: "Like what?"

Jin: "Jungkook's scared of things like elevators breaking down."

Namjoon: "Ah… But I'm scared of that, too."

Yoongi: "Wouldn't anyone be scared of that?"

Jin: "No, I mean, he actually gets scared every time he rides an elevator."

Jimin: "Wait a minute, everyone. You're all giving such serious thought to each member, but for me, it's off to the Himalayas?"

Jin: "Namjoon's should be something like boxing against a professional boxer. And fight until he wins."

Yoongi: "So you're basically telling him to die."

Namjoon: "Hey, if you don't want me in the group anymore, just say so."

Jin: "He could win, though!"

Yoongi: "No, there's no way he can win."

Taehyung: "Can I share something I've been thinking about?"

Everyone: "Yeah, of course."

Taehyung: "So, the last time we kneeled with our hands up for an hour was in elementary school."

Yoongi: "That's too cruel."

Taehyung: "I really want to try it."

Namjoon: "They don't do that in schools anymore. It's against the law."

Jimin: "You know what? I'm going to sleep next to you."

Jin: "Jimin?"

Jimin: "Yes?"

Jin: "Do you hear yourself right now?"

Jimin: "But I love you, Jin."

Jin: "This has nothing to do with love."

Jimin: "C'mon, baby."

I'm not sure what route Run BTS! 2.0 is taking, but it's currently like Bon Voyage meets In the Soop meets a podcast and I'm totally here for it.

Run BTS! 2.0: BTS' Trip Ep. 1 — BTS' Room Assignment Saga

This is basically the comeback of Bon Voyage (except with no destination… and it's FREE!!!) and I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR THE NEXT EPISODE. HOW DARE THEY ONLY GIVE US 25 MINUTES??!?

Hot Ones: Sean Evans Interviews BTS

Jin: "It's my first time hearing that question, so it's a little intense right now…"

V: "These questions! They're amazing!"

RM: "Crazy questions. So good."

Love that everyone is sweating and crying and quite literally screaming, and then we have Jimin and Jungkook just having a casual meal, calmly discussing the spice levels, taking more bites even after getting through to the last wing, and commenting on how delicious the vanilla ice cream is as if it's just dessert and not an aid to calm their burning mouths and esophaguses. I have been waiting for BTS to show up on Hot Ones for YEARS and this was everything I expected and more. Sean Evans proves once again what a phenomenal interviewer he is and how much research and thought goes into his questions. So, so, so happy we finally got this. 

Run BTS! 2.0 Brainstorming Session

So, basically, all we know about Run BTS! 2.0 is that Yoongi's gonna start a band.

ChooSungHoon: Choo Sung Hoon with BTS Jimin and Jungkook

I've been watching all of the BTS promo interviews on various YouTube shows, but this one is just too cute and wholesome not to re-post. A BTS ear cleaning with a 50-year-old Japanese MMA fighter was not on my bingo card this year but it's, like, outrageously adorable?

Run BTS! 2.0 Teaser

I had been watching Run BTS! since 2017 (RIP Naver V Live) and for many years, it had been the one thing I looked forward to every single week. When they finally enlisted, I had mourned the end of it in 2023. We didn't know if and when it would ever come back. BUT IT HAS FINALLY BEEN RESURRECTED!!! 

BTS is single-handedly saving 2026, y'all.

Epikase: Epik High with BTS RM and SUGA

Namjoon: "I'm just watching to see how far they'll take this."

Yoongi: "You seriously sound like a grandfather, what do we do?!"

Namjoon: "Your YouTube is seriously…"

Epikase is the one YouTube show that I have watched weekly since its inception (especially since Run BTS and Run Jin ended), and I have been waiting patiently for the day BTS would guest on it. And my god, they did not disappoint. The very best "interviews" are the ones with friends, and only Tablo could ask these kinds of unhinged questions and actually get honest answers. I only wish this was, like, three hours longer.

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.