#1

It was one particularly hot day in late spring that the Running Man members were rushing down the searing city streets of Gyeongju. The sunlight bore down their backs hot and unforgiving, even a step forward was enough to break sweat- yet it paled against the fervor and passion of the members.

“NOO!!!!!!”

Like always, Gwang Soo’s wail followed the tracks of the Running Man leaving the amused spectators to take pictures and videos on their phones in its wake. The members determinedly roamed the streets amongst them, unfazed.

True to her image as the Ace, Ji Hyo earned admiration from the crowd with her brilliant ideas and quick reflexes. Her breath came in short pants from all the running around, beads of sweat trickling down her face but she couldn’t say she felt particularly tired- her stamina had come a long way since the earlier episodes, when she had barely been able to keep up and she felt that difference with every single limb of her body.

“Why are you guys like this! What in the world did I do?!” Jong Kook asked.

“Your very existence is a danger to all of us, don’t you know that?” came Jae Suk’s reply.

The situation had started up again as usual…. with Gwang Soo and Haha always at its center and naturally, Jae Suk and Suk Jin took their side, creating an atmosphere like pieces of a trap falling into place. Gary too, had grown more keen to the anti-Jong Kook alliance than before.

“Ah, this is getting complicated….” Ji Hyo murmured.

“Noona, is this even something to think over?”

“Ya, even if I do join you guys I don’t trust you- so you keep quiet!”

“Wow, look at you pretending to be all nice. You’re still going to rip off his nametag in the end anyways!”

The presence of the anti-Jong Kook alliance was made even clearer as of late, born out of the PDs’ resolution to not lose the sight of the original spirit of the show. With that and the members’ newfound determination, the nametag segment had grown more important, carrying a considerable bulk of the film.

Jong Kook had always been unmatched, as the one who held the title of the strongest in nametag ripping. Sure, he showed his prowess in other games as well but it was particularly in nametag ripping that he was surely a force to be reckoned with, which was why Gwang Soo and Haha egged the other members on so much to create the dynamic of the anti-Jong Kook alliance.

“Wha- You keep saying that, but how much can I do anyways!” Jong Kook complained.

Jae Suk nonetheless continued in his pointed manner, “I have nightmares because you, you know that? I can’t even sleep properly at night!”

Ji Hyo stood between the bickering two, a blank expression on her face. Yet her eyes were fixed on Jong Kook, and he in turn met her gaze while he spoke. After a moment of thought Ji Hyo left to stand by the commander's side.

“You want to win that badly is that it, Song Ji Hyo!!”

Ji Hyo ignored Gwang Soo’s shouts and approached Jong Kook.

For the two of them, holding hands had become a part of life by now, and like that Jong Kook lead Ji Hyo away and faced the other members together.

The moment Ji Hyo them, the anti-Jong Kook team fell apart at the seams. Doomed failure met the former alliance and the final victory went to Ji Hyo and Jong Kook.

Jae Suk and the other members busy complaining, still miffed at Ji Hyo’s earlier indifference for them, “Wow just look at her- are you laughing at us now because you won?”

“If you wanted to win, you should’ve stood by Jong Kook-oppa’s side then!!”

“She’s blinded by the gold,” Gwang Soo cried. She barely heard the younger man, only registering Jong Kook who breathed a small sigh of relief as he celebrated.

And so the shoot ended. After congratulating each other on a job well done, the members and the staff went their separate ways.

-

Countless stars littered Gyeongju’s night sky. It was a night that struck one as particularly romantic.

“Good work today, Ji Hyo.”

Jae Suk as always, was the first to come and talk to her.

Out of everyone, he cared for Ji Hyo the most, treating her like his own sister. He had always been a source of strength since her days as a variety newbie, and for that she was eternally grateful.

“You too, Jae Suk-oppa.”

He nodded. “Hey, don’t you think you’re being too obvious these days?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I’m talking about… We all form an alliance to see if we can finally win one against that kid Jong Kook, and you’re the only one that keeps siding with him…”

She could hear the joking tone to his voice and she laughed. “I’m just trying my best to make things more interesting…. How can I just leave Jong Kook-oppa all by himself like that?”

“Ya, you’re really- Blind to your own cause is that it?”

“Aish, stop teasing me.” Despite looking annoyed at Jae Suk for poking fun at her, her lips were curved in the beginnings of a smile.

The nation’s MC laughed as he looked at Ji Hyo, but he began talking in a more deliberate tone after taking a glance at their surroundings. “Well that’s that, but what about Jong Kook? Any response from him?”

“Well, I don’t know….. whether there is or not.”