#6 Episode 198: Unbreakable Love


Couple episodes can vary, because with all the guests appearing on the show, not all of them will be able to contribute much in terms of humor. Most of the time, some guests will just stay quiet throughout the episode, which makes for really boring/awkward scenes. This was not one of those episodes. I mean, the opening itself was already one of the best openings in Running Man history.


The guests were all outgoing, and very very chatty. With the likes of Brown Eyed Girls' Narsha bullying the younger Kwang-soo, Ha Yeon-soo making the Commander's cheeks flush red and a little bit of Monday Couple jealousy with Girl's Day Min-ah and actor Park Seo-joon coming in between them, this episode was every bit as guest-centric as it was supposed to be. It was also good to see the members throwing themselves at each other for their other halves.


But seriously though, that Commander/Yeon-soo radish kiss was every bit as exciting as the previews suggested. Stuff of gold.


#5 Episode 204: Snow White and the Running Dwarves


If the above screengrab isn't enough to make you curious about this episode, the fact that Ji-hyo was dressed up in her Snow White outfit throughout the episode should. This was one of those episodes which focused largely on the Running Man members themselves, and how they interact with each other as a family.



The opening itself showcased some of the best Running Man cast chemistry; when Ji-hyo was supposed to fall asleep after eating the apple but she was kept up through the antics of the other members. Sure, there was an additional member, Ryu Seung-soo (infamous for almost getting away with cheating in a game) but he blended in seamlessly.


As a typical Running Man mystery + twist episode, the episode thankfully didn't dwell too much on that fact, instead prefering to focus on the relationships and betrayals between the cast. A good call by the Running Man PDs because it is the cast interaction that the fans tune in every week to watch.


#4 Episode 205: The Party Guests


They say the guests make or break an episode. With the likes of comedienne Lee Guk-joo, trot singer Hong Jin-young, Baek Ji-young, Miss A's Fei and supermodel Kang Seung-hyun along for the ride, there was almost nothing that could not make this an excellent episode.


So even with a flimsy premise, this episode didn't disappoint, but instead rocketed into this list as one of the best.


Dance parties? Check.


Delightfully hilarious banter between the guests? Check. Even Jae-suk commented: "Today was way too fun. You guys HAVE to come back again soon." Yes please.

#3 Episode 213: The Female Heirs


To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting this episode to be any good. The reason: the entire guest list was made up of actresses. Not to say that actresses can't be funny (see Han Hyo-joo or Park Shin-hye) but there are a lot of protocols to follow. A lot of that has to go into protecting the image of the actresses as well.

After the fantastic opening, my worries were thrown into the toilet when they headed to the mud field and just dove in, their image put aside in the name of victory. The actresses; Yoo In-young, Seo Woo, Choi Yeo-jin, Kim Min-seo, and Lee Yuri didn't let a little thing like mud put them off their game, going so far as to even throwing the men into the mud.


The actresses themselves were ditzy enough (wearing heels into a muddy field) but also held that competitive edge to balance it all out. And the final mission was an absolute mess fest, something which every Running Man fan will give two thumbs up to.


#2 Episode 215: The Autumn Wedding


Wedding episodes aren't usually my favorite kind, especially when the Monday Couple aren't the ones actually getting "married". But when you have awesome guests like Jo Jung-suk and a literal angel Shin Min-ah (remember her and her little fan?) on the show, you can be sure that the episode was bound to be among the greats. The games were fun too; the nametag ripping game where Kwang-soo absolutely fooled Gary,


the mini-games where everyone just let their dancing spirit take and who can forget the peck on the lips that Shin Min-ah gave Gary?


A good overall episode.


#1 Episode 225: The Writing on the Nametag


Kim Woo-bin is a fantastic guest. He's appeared twice on this list already, and he has picked up victories both times. The first was in Australia, and it was largely thanks to the other Running Man members who cannot be relied on to trust each other. In this episode, however, Woo-bin was every bit the schemer and betrayer; playing the games (and cheating too!) with full gusto to win, and even sacrificing his spy partner in crime and resident traitor Lee Kwang-soo for the name of victory.


Also, this happened.:


The Stare Wall has got to be one of the best things to ever exist on Running Man. That shocking visual above is proof enough of that. And the Monday Couple's "flirting" plus Ji-hyo's seductive kissy faces and that lip lick. However did Gary survive that attack?


Do you agree with the top 10 list above, or do you think I missed out something, somewhere? Maybe I missed out a favorite episode of yours which you think deserves a spot on this list? Which are YOUR top episodes from 2014? Leave a comment below!

It's only 2 more days to the new year 2015. Since this is the last Running Mondays post of the year, I just want to take this chance to thank all of you for your support and for reading. And of course, a very Happy New Year everyone! Here's to more Running Man goodness next year!

I did similar lists, which you can check out here:
Top 10 of 2013
Top 10 of 2015

Cheerios!

It was found in a really old dictionary of unknown origins. Trust it. 

Well, they say that 3rd time's the charm, and I have no doubt about it. The Choong brothers have opened up their 3rd cafe, hipsterly named Underground Société. Why the name? "It's whatever you want it to be," Kar Heng told me, as he sipped his ice-cold coffee on tap (no, seriously! More on that later). "We don't like to put a label on ourselves."

And label he won't have to. Contrary to popular belief, Underground Société (US for short) isn't located underground, much to the chagrin of its owners who believe that the idea of a literal underground cafe would be "the coolest thing ever". US is like...a superhero. A nice respectable cafe by day, and when night rolls around, that's when the awesome gadgets come out to play. 

"Defy the norm", screams the About Us section on their Instagram account, and I won't disagree. Located snugly between a row of car workshops in Bandar Sunway, just a few steps away from Garage 51, US isn't your typical cafe. For one, Kar Heng states as a matter-of-factly, "Underground Société is an alternative lifestyle & artistic expression", one that doesn't reflect the normal standards set by other cafes in Malaysia. US exists to push the boundaries for cafes. They proudly stand by their slogan, Defy the Norm. 

Eat with US. 

Drink with US. 

Hang with US. 

The double meaning behind the slogan plastered all over their walls, on coasters and seats become apparent as soon as you enter through the wooden glass doors. Waiters greet you with a warm smile and graciously seat you. Your hand won't even have to shoot up fully before a waiter pleasantly appears in front of you, ready to take your order. It's all about the concept of their namesake, société. 

"We always want our customers to feel welcome, like: "Welcome into our cafe! Take your time, browse through the menu. and hang out with US. There's not rush!" It's always about that sense of togetherness." Kar Heng's eyes are glazed over, as though deep in thought. He finishes his glass of water. A waiter appears almost immediately and replaces it with another glass. It's efficiency at its finest.

The waiter brings me my pint of coffee on tap. It's something I've never heard of before, but is apparently big overseas. I've had tons of beer on tap before but a pint of coffee served like stout beer was definitely a first. Kar Heng laughed at my incredulity, "Yes, it looks exactly like a nice cold stout. That's what we do to push the boundaries and do something that no other cafe in Malaysia has done yet."

I took a sip. It was strangely refreshing; the bitter black coffee goes down smoothly...sort of like a stout. Kar Heng laughed again. 

If you ever need a place to chill for the afternoon or at night, maybe down few safe for work pints, then Underground Société is definitely the place for you to be at. Besides, if their signs are any indication, the entire crew behind US wants you to go hang out. Believe me, you'll definitely be better off.

Underground Société is open daily from 11am to 2am and is located at No.68, Jalan PJS 11/7, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.

Cheerios!