The Funniest Running Man Episodes of 2025 You Can’t Miss

When you think of South Korea’s Running Man, limitless challenges and razor‑sharp banter jump to mind. 2025 was no exception, but a handful of episodes managed to tip the scale from “pretty good” to downright sidesplitting. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a casual viewer stumbling onto a clip, these selections showcase the show’s knack for turning everyday tasks into laugh‑out‑loud moments.

1. “Meme‑Madness in Seoul” – Episode 784

The crew was dropped into a bustling street market with a single mission: recreate the latest Korean memes using only props they could find on the spot. Lee Kwang‑soo, forever the mischief maker, grabbed a tiny inflatable hamster and declared it his “future boyfriend.” Meanwhile, Song Ji‑Hyun’s dead‑pan attempt at a viral dance left the whole team cracking up, especially when a passing elderly vendor joined in, shouting “뭐라고?” in perfect sync.

What made this episode shine was the rapid back‑and‑forth between scripted meme references and spontaneous street interactions. The unpredictable crowd reactions—cheering when the cast nailed a punchline, groaning when they missed—created a lively, improvisational atmosphere that few other episodes capture.

2. “Haunted House Hide‑and‑Seek” – Episode 801

Running Man’s love affair with horror themes took a comedic turn when the team entered a “retro” haunted house populated by actors wielding overly dramatic fake chainsaws. The twist? The cast had to hide a tiny rubber duck somewhere inside the maze while the “ghosts” tried to locate it.

Kim Jong‑Kook’s initial confidence turned into a hilarious pant‑down when he tripped over a plush Spider‑Man, sending a squeaky toy flying into the hands of a startled actress. The final reveal—Jong‑Kook clutching the rubber duck like a trophy while dressed in a glittery ghost costume—prompted a chorus of “오예!” from the audience.

3. “Chef’s Kitchen Chaos” – Episode 819

Cooking shows and variety programs rarely intersect, but this episode forced the men into a speed‑cooking contest while blindfolded. The twist: each ingredient was swapped for something absurd—kimchi‑flavored gummy bears, instant ramen that tasted like chocolate, you name it. Yoo Jae‑Suk’s attempts to garnish a “soup” with a handful of glitter left the judges bewildered, yet he kept a straight face, insisting it was “edible art.”

The highlight came when Kwang‑soo, convinced he’d discovered a new food trend, plated a bowl of “sashimi‑shaped marshmallows” and presented it with a solemn bow. The judges’ polite applause was a masterclass in holding back laughter—a skill that takes years of reality‑TV training.

4. “Time‑Travel Tag” – Episode 835

In a nod to popular Korean drama tropes, the cast was divided into “past” and “future” teams, each tasked with completing challenges while dressed in period‑appropriate costumes. The “future” side sported LED‑lit jackets and giant foam swords, while the “past” crew waddled around in hanboks paired with oversized wooden clogs.

Jung Hyun‑won’s earnest attempt to ride a 90‑year‑old bicycle—only to crash into a prop sign reading “Do Not Enter”—became the episode’s meme generator. The commentators’ rapid‑fire jokes about “historical inaccuracies” and “future regrets” kept the laughter rolling for the entire 90‑minute runtime.

5. “K‑Pop Idol Impersonation” – Episode 852

Fans of both Running Man and K‑pop swore this was the crossover they never knew they needed. The cast was paired with rookie idols, and each duo had to perform a choreographed piece—except the idols could only sing in a made‑up language. The result? A chaotic mashup of half‑remembered moves, mispronounced lyrics, and Kwang‑soo’s spontaneous break‑dance spin that sent the stage lights wobbling.

Even the idols were in stitches, especially when Jae‑Suk tried to rap “like a veteran”—only to accidentally shout the word “banana” in place of a crucial punchline. The episode’s closing montage, set to a remix of the mis‑sung chorus, quickly became a fan‑favorite clip on social media.

6. “Extreme “Office” Olympics” – Episode 869

Imagine a corporate meeting room turned into a makeshift stadium. Desks became hurdles, swivel chairs turned into racing pods, and the photocopier served as a “laser‑tag” obstacle. The judges—real office workers from a nearby startup—took their roles seriously, awarding points for “paper‑clip accuracy” and “stapler speed.”

Jong‑Kook, normally the muscle of the group, struggled hilariously with a stack of spreadsheets, slipping on a rogue coffee mug and landing in a filing cabinet. The final scoreboard, displayed on a whiteboard with doodles of stick‑figure athletes, left everyone—cast and crew—grinning.

Why These Episodes Stand Out

• Unpredictable humor: Each episode leans on spontaneous reactions as much as on scripted jokes.
• Creative concepts: From meme recreations to time‑travel costumes, the premises feel fresh.
• Cast chemistry: The synergy among the regulars—especially the playful rivalry between Jae‑Suk and Kwang‑soo—elevates every gag.
• Viral moments: Clips from these episodes have dominated TikTok and YouTube Shorts, proving they resonate beyond the TV screen.

If you’ve been scrolling through endless episode lists, start with any of the six above. They capture the spirit of Running Man at its most delightfully absurd, reminding us why the show still feels like a weekly comedy reunion with old friends.