Danica Lacson for Hellokpop
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Channeling My Inner “Running Man” With Discover Seoul Pass At The Running Man Thematic Experience Center
Running Man fans worldwide, make sure you add Running Man Thematic Experience Center in your Seoul itinerary!
It was late 2010 when I got into Running Man, owing my introduction to the show to CNBLUE’s Jung Yong Hwa, whose episodes on the show were my first taste of the fun missions and cute interactions of Yoo Jae Suk, Ji Suk Jin, Kim Jong Kook, Gary, HaHa, Song Ji Hyo, Song Joong Ki, and Lee Kwang Soo.
Since then, I knew I was in love. The SBS variety program, which began airing on July 11, 2010, was one of the two — We Got Married being the other — South Korean entertainment program I became obsessed with. So when I decided to fulfill my dream of traveling to South Korea this year, I knew I had to live out my love for Running Man and try my hand in becoming part of the squad somehow.
With my Discover Seoul Pass – BTS Edition in hand and sneakers tied tightly, I braved the cold morning rain to travel to Insadong where the Running Man Thematic Experience Center was located.
Get Your Discover Seoul Pass Here.
Mission #1: Finding the Experience Center
- Attraction Name: Running Man Thematic Experience Center
- Address: B1, Hana Building, 41, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Operation Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. KST with the entrance closing at 7 p.m. KST
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to the experience center is via subway.
You can ride Line 1, alight at Jonggak Station, and exit using Exit 3-1. Other than Line 1, you can take Line 3, get down at Anguk Station, and leave the station using Exit 6. Your other option is taking Line 1 to Jongno 3-ga Station and then exit via Exit 5.
For me, coming from Dongmyo, we took Line 1 and alighted at Jonggak Station. After exiting the station, we walked a few minutes toward SM Duty Free.
The Running Man Thematic Experience Center was easy to spot, thanks to the big Running Man mascot outside SM Duty Free — where you can also enjoy discounts with your Discover Seoul Pass *wink.
When you spot the cute blue mascot, approach it and you will see stairs leading down. Go down and enter the door which will lead you to another door. Once you’ve passed the second door, you’ve accomplished your first mission — kidding!
Mission #2: Getting Inside the Runing Man Thematic Experience Center
When you arrive, approach the front desk situated on your right. The price for the entrance admission is at 16,000 won.
If you are like me who has a Discover Seoul Pass, you can simply show your pass to the staff at the front desk as the Discover Seoul Pass includes free admission to the Running Man Thematic Experience Center, along with more than 30 attractions.
Moreover, it offers discounts to partner establishments and freebies (like a free coffee of your choice at Café Dalgang at Namsangol Hanok Village).
Once you’ve secured your entrance receipt, show it to the staff at the entrance. In return, the staff will hand you a bracelet which will record your R-Points.
The staff will also make you choose between colors red, green, and blue. You need not think hard about this as they do not have much bearing in the missions except for the mazes.
Mission #3: Sweating It Up For The R-Points!
Be ready to sweat as you accomplish the different missions inside the experience center. In one hour, you are given free reign on how you intend to approach the different challenges in order to secure points. There is no right or wrong order. Feel free to explore and try out the different games.
In total, there are 12 missions you can try to secure R-Points.
A: Running Man Beginner
In this zone, you simply have to tap your bracelet to R badges you will see around the area. I actually missed this area at first and only got to it halfway through the time. Lookout for briefcases! Open them up and you will get one R-Point.
B: Run and Run
Warm your feet up for this game! I swear it will sore your legs, because you have to get 250 points by running or jumping at the designated area. My friend and I failed on our first tries and so we came back and teamed up to do the challenge together.
C: Jump Rope
Okay, I admit it. I never succeeded in this mission even after many tries. It took a while to get the hang of it, in my case, but even after understanding the procedure, I still failed to earn the needed 20 jumps.
D: Squat Maze
This part is pretty easy, except if you have back problems. You have to go inside and get around the maze by squatting down. There are different checkpoints where you can pop up and search for the R badge. When you see one, tap your bracelet to collect a point.
E: Dark Maze
Not my favorite maze because I have a fear of the unknown. It’s completely dark and you have to use your other senses to search for R badges on the wall.
F: Ball Throwing
Ball throwing is challenging, to be honest. I only got to score one point. And I read on the website that it’s supposed to be a team game which I never knew while we were there.
G: Scream
The instruction for this mission is easy — scream at the microphone. But, we never succeeded despite screaming on top of our lungs. Oh well.
H: Touch the Nametags
I admit it. We kind of tweak our gameplay to succeed here. What is supppsed to be an individual game became a team game with my friend helping me out during my turn and vice versa. How to play this game? You have to press the button of the respective nametag which lights up. It requores concentration and energy because you have to turn your body every now and then.
I: Where’s R-Mons?
In this game, you have to search for an R-Mon where in the examples are on the right side of the screen. I succeeded in this game — thanks to my friend’s help again.
J: Ring Hanging
For this, you have to keep your feet up, without touching the ground, for 30 seconds by holding on to the rings on the ceiling. I tried this once and decided it was not for me.
K: Tap Tap
The only game I probably excelled at! You will tap a button until you reach the stipulated number of taps. I forget how many, but it’s more than 200.
L: Mirror Maze
I actually had a brief moment of panic here because it seems that I couldn’t get out as I couldn’t find the exit.
However, collecting R-Points here is easy because you simple have to tap on the R badge. This is where your chosen color comes into the picture because there are only certain buttons that will give you points — those matching your color when they light up.
After going through all the missions or if your time have ended, you will have to exit the Running Man Thematic Experience Center. But before coming out, make sure to try your luck at the bonus section where you can get either plus or minus points to add to your R-Points.
(Photo from Running Man Thematic Experience Center)
Mission #4: Claiming Your Reward
Depending on the number of R-Points you got, you will be awarded with a R badge. For those who scored below 79 points like me, you will get one R badge. Those who got below 88 points will go home with two R badges.
Meanwhile, individuals who scored 88 points will receive three R badges. In addition, everyone who got more than 80 points will have the privilege to be named the eighth member of Running Man, with a certificate as proof and a space at the Hall of Fame.
So, if you are a Running Man fan like me or wanted do something new in Seoul, make sure to give Running Man Thematic Experience Center a visit. It’s unique and pretty challenging, giving you the chance to test your fit in the Running Man team.
Mission #5: Making the Most of Your Trip to South Korea with Discover Seoul Pass
For better full on enjoyment in Seoul, avail of the Discover Seoul Pass to get access to more than 30 attractions for free (like Running Man Thematic Experience Center) and discounts to must-see places and must-try experiences.
Not only that, Discover Seoul Pass now offers Discover Seoul Pass – BTS Edition! Bring RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook with you through the pass. The BTS Edition include a limited edition photo card. It is available for foreign tourists only and as a 24-hour pass.
Aside from the BTS Edition, Discover Seoul Pass is also available in regular edition for 24, 48, and 72 hours.
Writer’s Note: Thank you to Discover Seoul Pass for making our trip to South Korea more fun and filled with experiences. Special thanks to Hyunjin Kim and Hayeong Lee.
