By rifanmuazin 
Executive Summary: Main Facts
The landscape of South Korean variety television is preparing for a highly anticipated crossover of K-pop charisma and theatrical comedy. On September 6, SBS’s long-running flagship variety show, Running Man, released a promotional preview for its upcoming episode scheduled to broadcast on September 13 at 6:10 p.m. KST. The teaser features San, a member of the globally acclaimed K-pop group ATEEZ, alongside actress Han Ji Eun, who is currently generating buzz for her upcoming drama Study Group.
The upcoming episode centers around a popular contemporary internet culture trope: the "Duke of the North" (Bukbu Daegong). This archetype, widely popularized in Korean romance-fantasy web novels and webtoons (manhwa), refers to a male lead who is physically imposing, emotionally distant, dark-haired, and rules over a cold, harsh northern territory, yet harbors a deep, unwavering devotion to the female protagonist.
San, who has long been dubbed the quintessential real-life embodiment of the "Duke of the North" by domestic and international fans alike, serves as the focal point of the episode’s theme. Together with the seasoned cast of Running Man and the versatile Han Ji Eun, the episode promises a blend of theatrical roleplay, high-energy dance performances, regional dialect (satoori) banter, and the physically demanding games that have defined the SBS program for over a decade.
Chronology of the Preview: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
The one-minute preview released by SBS offers a structured look at how the episode’s narrative unfolds, transitioning from thematic character introductions to lighthearted physical comedy and competitive games.
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| PREVIEW CHRONOLOGY |
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| 1. Introduction of the "Dukes" |
| - HaHa and Yang Se Chan appear in extravagant "Northern Duke" costumes. |
| |
| 2. San's Grand Entrance |
| - San enters the set, prompting comedic apprehension from HaHa. |
| - San delivers a dramatic, romantic line from a fantasy webtoon. |
| |
| 3. Performance & Visual Showcase |
| - San performs the signature choreography of ATEEZ's track "BAD". |
| - Ji Suk Jin praises San's intense, signature stage expressions. |
| |
| 4. Han Ji Eun's Entrance & Group Performance |
| - Han Ji Eun joins San in dancing to "BAD". |
| - Cast compliments her new short hairstyle. |
| |
| 5. Comedic Banter & Dialect Discrepancies |
| - The cast teases Han Ji Eun over her Italian language skills. |
| - San playfully calls out HaHa's "counterfeit" regional satoori. |
| |
| 6. High-Energy Game Segment |
| - Cast and guests engage in physical challenges, falling into mud/water. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+1. The Assembly of the "Dukes"
The teaser begins by establishing the fictional "Running Man Kingdom." The show introduces three competing "dukes" of the realm. First, veteran cast members HaHa and Yang Se Chan appear on screen, dressed in exaggerated, medieval-inspired northern military regalia. The comedic tone is instantly set as the two attempt to project an aura of cold, brooding nobility, which is quickly undercut by their signature variety show antics.
2. The Arrival of the "Real Deal"
The atmosphere shifts dramatically with the entrance of ATEEZ’s San. Stepping onto the set in sleek, tailored attire that perfectly aligns with the "Duke of the North" aesthetic, San’s presence immediately intimidates his co-stars. Watching San approach, HaHa breaks character in mock panic, exclaiming, "Oh no, the real deal is here. What do I do?"
Fully committing to the bit, San addresses the camera to deliver a dramatic, highly stylized romantic monologue typical of a webtoon male lead. The dramatic delivery highlights the contrast between the fantasy trope and the grounded reality of variety television.
3. The Performance and the Famous "Facial Expressions"
Following his dramatic introduction, San transitions into a showcase of his primary talent: performance. He executes the sharp, intense choreography of ATEEZ’s recent release, "BAD."
Known within the K-pop industry for his extreme facial acting and high-octane physical delivery, San’s performance immediately draws praise from the cast. Senior member Ji Suk Jin highlights this, shouting, "That’s it! That’s the [famous] facial expression!"
4. Han Ji Eun’s Entrance and Styling Teasing
The preview then introduces actress Han Ji Eun, who joins San on stage to participate in the "BAD" dance challenge. The Running Man cast warmly welcomes her, immediately noticing her updated styling, specifically her chic new short haircut.
However, the warm welcome quickly transitions into classic variety show hazing. The cast members mercilessly tease Han Ji Eun regarding her self-proclaimed Italian language skills, creating a comedic dynamic that contrasts with her elegant actress image.
5. The Battle of the Dialects (Satoori)
One of the comedic highlights of the preview occurs during a conversational segment. San, who hails from Namhae County in South Gyeongsang Province, is well-known for his natural Gyeongsang regional dialect (satoori).
In the preview, San playfully confronts HaHa, who attempts to mimic San’s dialect to fit the rugged northern persona. San asks with a laugh, "Don’t you usually not use satoori?"
When HaHa defensively insists that he does indeed speak it, San delivers a comedic blow, joking, "His satoori is kind of counterfeit!"
6. Climax: High-Stakes Variety Games
The teaser concludes with a rapid-fire montage of the physical challenges prepared by the production team. True to the classic Running Man format, the guests and cast members are seen throwing themselves into competitive, high-stakes games, complete with physical slapstick, mud-splattering challenges, and intense tactical maneuvers.
Contextual Analysis: Deciphering the "Duke of the North" Trope
To fully understand the cultural relevance of this upcoming episode, one must examine the "Duke of the North" (Bukbu Daegong) phenomenon within South Korean pop culture.
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| THE "DUKE OF THE NORTH" ARCHETYPE |
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| • Origin: Korean web novels, webtoons, and romance-fantasy literature. |
| • Visual Markers: Sharp jawlines, dark hair, towering physique, cold eyes. |
| • Personality: Emotionally reserved, fiercely protective, intensely loyal. |
| • Pop Culture Connection: Fans assign this title to K-pop idols who project |
| a fierce stage presence but maintain a warm, gentle off-stage persona. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+Originally confined to the realms of digital fiction, the "Duke of the North" has evolved into a prominent internet meme used to describe real-life figures who possess a specific visual and behavioral duality.
San has become the definitive poster child for this trope within the K-pop community. On stage, he is celebrated for his sharp feline features, highly athletic and muscular physique, and a performing style that is intensely dramatic and dark.
Off stage, however, San is widely recognized for his polite demeanor, soft-spoken nature, and frequent use of his native Namhae satoori—a regional dialect often associated with warmth, rustic charm, and friendliness.
By centering an entire Running Man episode around this fan-coined nickname, SBS is directly engaging with modern internet subcultures. This strategy bridges the gap between traditional television broadcasting and the digital fandoms that drive online engagement.
Profiles of the Featured Guests
The pairing of ATEEZ’s San and actress Han Ji Eun offers a calculated balance of musical star power and dramatic variety talent.
San (Choi San) of ATEEZ
Born in 1999, San debuted as a member of the KQ Entertainment boy group ATEEZ in 2018. Over the past six years, the group has risen to the forefront of the global music scene, headlining major international music festivals like Coachella and topping the Billboard 200 chart.
San’s individual reputation is anchored by his status as one of his generation’s premier performers. His return to Running Man is highly anticipated, as his previous appearances showcased his natural physical agility and a willingness to discard his idol image for the sake of entertainment.
Han Ji Eun
Han Ji Eun, born in 1987, is a highly respected actress known for her versatile roles across romance, comedy, and thriller genres. She gained widespread recognition for her leading role in the critically acclaimed drama Be Melodramatic (2019) and has since starred in prominent projects such as Lovestruck in the City (2020), Bad and Crazy (2021), and her upcoming project Study Group.
Han is no stranger to variety television; her previous guest spots on Running Man became viral sensations due to her unpredictable, high-energy personality and her unique ability to hold her own against veteran comedians like Yoo Jae Suk and Jee Seok Jin.
Industry Implications and Variety Show Dynamics
The upcoming broadcast of this episode highlights several broader trends within the South Korean entertainment industry.
1. Symbiotic Promotion
Variety shows remain a crucial vehicle for promotional cycles in South Korea. For ATEEZ, who continue to expand their global footprint, appearing on a high-rating domestic program like Running Man solidifies their connection with the domestic general public.
For Han Ji Eun, the appearance serves as a timely promotional platform for her upcoming drama series, Study Group, keeping her in the public eye ahead of her return to the small screen.
2. Adapting to Fan-Driven Narratives
Historically, variety show themes were dictated entirely by writers and producers. However, the "Duke of the North" theme demonstrates a shift toward co-creative content, where television producers actively monitor social media trends and fan-coined narratives to design episodes. This dynamic rewards fans for their digital engagement and ensures that the televised content feels fresh, relevant, and highly shareable on platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
3. Regional Representation and Humor
The inclusion of satoori as a major comedic plot point reflects a long-standing tradition in Korean comedy. By highlighting San’s genuine southern dialect against HaHa’s exaggerated imitation, the show taps into regional identities in a way that is endearing to domestic viewers while educating international fans on the linguistic diversity of South Korea.
Public Anticipation and Broadcast Information
The release of the preview on September 6 sparked immediate traction online. Within hours of the broadcast, clips of San’s "Duke of the North" entrance and Han Ji Eun’s dance segment accumulated hundreds of thousands of views across social media platforms. Fans praised San’s willingness to lean into his internet-famous persona, while drama enthusiasts expressed excitement over Han Ji Eun’s return to the variety arena.
Running Man episode featuring ATEEZ’s San and Han Ji Eun will officially air on Sunday, September 13, at 6:10 p.m. KST on SBS. International viewers will be able to stream the full episode with English subtitles on Viki and other regional streaming platforms shortly after the domestic broadcast.
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