By “Running Man” and Kim Jong Kook just got a real-world reminder of how massive the show’s global reach is — the “Sparta Kook” was mobbed by fans in Taiwan, leaving his fellow celebrities stunned.
Kim Jong Kook (Credits: Koreaboo)
A Mob Scene at Shilin Night Market
The moment aired on the October 13 episode of SBS Plus and MBN’s “Real Men’s Travel Guide in Taiwan”, which follows Choo Sung Hoon, Kim Jong Kook, and Zico on their Taiwan trip. At the famous Shilin Night Market, Kim Jong Kook was repeatedly stopped by fans asking for photos — so many that he could barely move forward through the crowd.
Watching from the sidelines, Choo Sung Hoon and Zico showed a mix of envy and bittersweet admiration. It’s not every day one of Korea’s most recognizable celebrities gets to witness a colleague eclipse the whole group.
“Running Man Is Really Huge”
The next morning brought another viral moment. At breakfast, a local woman asked if Kim Jong Kook was “from Running Man.” When producers confirmed it, she couldn’t hide her surprise — or her excitement.
Choo Sung Hoon summed up the feeling: “Looking at it that way, Running Man is really huge.” Kim Jong Kook explained it simply — in Taiwan, like in Korea, an entire generation of young people grew up watching the show. What started as a Korean variety staple has quietly become a cross-border cultural phenomenon.
The Power of “Running Man”
It’s a fitting snapshot of the long-running SBS show’s staying power. Years into its run, “Running Man” isn’t just a TV program — it’s a shared memory for millions across Asia, and for Kim Jong Kook, it’s a reputation that precedes him from Seoul to Taipei.
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Source: Koreaboo — read the full story there.
