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Life Lessons from Running Man

Just recently, I started to get hook to this 10-year Korean Variety Show called 런닝맨 Running Man. It\’s about competing among the members and/or guests to complete missions and win the race. Different games, different tactics, different challenges. It is very fun to watch. For real! 😅

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Photo from SBS.

While watching a couple of episodes, I came to a realization on the things we could learn that may be applicable to our life. It\’s more than just having fun.

I\’ll be sharing with you the Ten Life Lessons from Running Man. 😉

1️⃣ You cannot trust anyone but yourself.

In Running Man, they cannot trust even their teammates. Some teammates would betray each other along the race.

And just like in reality, your friend today might become your enemy tomorrow. Your most trusted person might betray you one day. And somewhat this can be a reality to some of us.

Blessed are we if we find people who are really trustworthy. But it\’s totally sad and disappointing to trust the wrong one.

And yet, there\’s always someone you can trust. Someone who will not betray you. And it\’s yourself. Give all the trust to yourself. Also, only yourself will never leave you. 😉

2️⃣ People can get greedy for something they really want.

In Running Man, for the hope to win, some would not share the hints they got. Some would take advantage for the money the team has by distributing it unevenly to the members or for one member to claim it all without sharing to his teammates.

In life, we all have our own different wants and needs. Whether it\’s really essential or not. Something that could maybe make our life easier, better and happier.

However, too much obsession to what we want in life may lead us to become a greedy person. We want every single thing about it without thinking if other\’s need it too. We will not have the heart to share because it\’s what we want.

And in some cases, because of this greed, we could do something we should not do.

For example, we are craving for a certain food. When we were able to buy it, we don\’t even think about sharing it with our family. We ate it all not thinking if they also like it or they might be hungry too.

Another example is money. We might really want to have lots of money so that we can buy some luxurious stuff. But our income is not sufficient for that. Because of that desire to get it, we would resort to stealing which is prohibited.

And so, let\’s remember that everything has its limitations. Too much is bad and if it is impossible now to have it, work harder to get it one day.

3️⃣ Life is not always about intelligence. Sometimes, we also need strength.

In Running Man, intelligence is as important as physical strength. There are many challenges that require both. There are quizzes, race of wits, etc. that needs you to think. But there is also name tag elimination that needs your physical strength to fight against others.

In life, it is good to be intelligent. We can have sound judgement over things around us. We can create many ideas. But other than intelligence, we also need strength sometimes.

Strength in all aspects – physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

If we are physically strong, we could defend ourselves to bad people. For example, if someone tries to rob us, we could defend ourself.

If we are emotionally strong, we won\’t be carried away immediately to what\’s happening. We cannot put our wall down immediately. We can fight heartbreak and sadness.

If we are mentally strong, we will be at peace. Whatever challenges that may come to us, we will always take it on a positive way. It will not destroy our senses and our life.

And lastly, if we are spiritually strong, we have God with us. We will be protected, guided and loved. Above all, we will never be alone.

Having the strength is not easy. It takes time but it will be worth it.

4️⃣ Our time is runing.

In Running Man, they are given time to complete a mission. Sometimes, their time is measured on who compete the mission faster.

In life, we are also timed. Our time varies for every person. There are 0 (those who were dead even before they were born). There are days, months, years.

And currently, our time is always running. And as it is running, we are also doing our mission or maybe some of us are still figuring out what\’s our mission. Until the clock ticks, let us not waste it. Let\’s do what we have to do. Let\’s find out what we need to. So that when it\’s Race Over, we were able to complete our mission.

5️⃣ Things could go upside down. Those who are top now may be in the bottom later.

In Running Man, being the 1st Place in the first mission sometimes give you some advantage. However, it is not an assurance that you will win the final mission. Things could be against you on the next missions. So you have to be careful.

Life could also change. As what they say, change is the constant thing in the world. That\’s why it\’s no surprise how life changes. But sometimes, there are unexpected changes. Those things we don\’t think would happen.

For example, you are very rich today. You have businesses. You have huge mansions and luxury cars. But one day, your world turns. Your business became bankrupt. You need to sell your properties to pay your huge debts. Until you find yourself living in a small bedroom that you were able to rent for a very low rate.

Indeed, there\’s no assurance in life. You are happiness today may become sorrow the next day. Your wealth today may become debt the next day. Your at the top today, but you might be in the bottom the next day.

And so, let us always be humble. Whether we are at the top or at the bottom. Let us have humility in our heart. Because those who humble themselves will become great and those who make themselves great will be humbled.

Remember, the world is round.

6️⃣ You need to work hard to get what you want.

In Running Man, if you want to eat, you need to give your best to win the game. If you want to win, you need to strive harder to win the race. Tired or not. In pain or not. You have to keep working.

Same with life, nothing comes for free. You need to work for something you want or need. If you want to buy a new house, work harder for you to be able to pay for it. If you want to be a good dancer, you need to practice a lot to become one. If you want to be a Sports World Champion, you need to train harder and follow the strict rules imposed by your coach.

Being lazy will do us no good. The successful people are those who do not stop working hard. Yes, you can relax and rest from time to time. But make sure that you keep that fire of working present all the time.

7️⃣ The sweetest success will always be after a tiring sacrifice.

In Running Man, if they want to be successful on their mission, they need to sacrifice sometimes. Either their looks whenever they will really become haggard and lose all the glamour. It may be a day full of running from here and there that they want to just lay down because of tiredness. Some has to face their fear just to complete a mission. But everything is always worth it whenever they become successful with their mission.

In life, it\’s always the sweetest success when we get it after we did some sacrifice.

For example, those people working abroad. Being away from their family for months or years is a huge sacrifice. Not seeing their children grow. Not able to take care of them personally.

But whenever they go home and see the fruit of their sacrifice like they were able to build their dream house, they were able to send their children at a good school, all their sacrifice will be gone. It will be replaced with joy and satisfaction.

Another example is those celebrities who sacrifice the time have a good sleep and to be with their family because of shooting a movie. When the movie is out, everyone around the world loves it. And they even receive an award. That huge success will remove all those sacrifices and replace them with a heart full of love and happiness.

8️⃣ If you do bad, you will be penalized. If you do good, you will be rewarded.

In Running Man, if you are in the last place of the race, surely you will get a penalty. Either it\’s a water bomb, pat at the back, wear a weird costumes, being placed in a cage with crocodiles outside, try the scariest swing, and a lot more. But if you will win, you will get a reward or prize. It may be food like Korean Beef Set, appliances at home, laptop, or even a luxurious trip outside the country.

In life, it is also the same. If you will do bad things, you will be penalized. But if you will do good things, you will be rewarded.

For instance, you stole in the bank and you got caught. Definitely, you will be put in prison. If you do not do good at school, you cannot graduate. If you violate the law, you will be either fined, put in prison or both.

But if you do things like feeding program or helping the poor, you will be rewarded with gratitude and smile from the people you helped. If you return a huge amount of money after you saw it on the taxi you rode, you may be rewarded.

The thing with reality is that there is another judgement that we need to face. When we died, we will be judged on how we did on Earth. If we did bad, we will be pushed down to hell. If we did good, we will be brought to heaven.

So let\’s do our best and make sure to do the good and right things. We may not be rewarded now, but for sure it will be given in heaven. Plus, it is good to be remembered as a good person.😅

9️⃣ You will face different challenges. But every challenge will lead you to what\’s really for you.

In Running Man, there are a lot of missions that they need to complete. Whenever they complete this mission, they will be led to the next until they complete the race.

In life, challenges are everywhere. It is in different form and happens in different times.

For example, those who lost their jobs because of the pandemic. That\’s a big challenge they faced. But the moment they lost their jobs, they tried to look for another jobs. Until now, that things are starting to open again, they were able to find a new job. Without their knowledge, this new job that they found is the job they always want and have been looking for.

And most of the times, challenges and difficulties make us stronger. That whenever we face whatever challenges or difficulties in the future, we are sure that we can survive.

We cannot run away from the challenges of life. We have to face it and fight against it. It may be a long tiring battle. But winning it will be more than enough reason to be grateful and happy with life.

1️⃣0️⃣ At the end of the day, win or lose, be happy.

In Running Man, everyone cannot be a winner. There will always be a loser. However, the good thing is that even they lost, they are still happy. They happily face the penalty and accept the consequence & situation.

It would be great if we can do this with our lives too. We cannot always be at the top. We cannot always be the winner. We cannot always get what we want.

Sometimes, we need to lose, to be at the bottom and to missed our chance for something we want.

But why? To know how to work harder and to be humble.

And we also need to learn to accept things including our fate. We need to see the bright side and think the positive way. In this manner, we can be happy.

For instance, our partner broke up with us. It\’s very painful. You cannot stop crying nor asking what you lack. You want to do the most stupid things. You want to get drunk.

But what good it will give you? Nothing. Things happened already. You cannot turn back the time. You may feel you lose. But you have to accept eventually that it is over for you. So instead of wasting your time crying for someone who does not deserve you, why not enjoy your life on your own.

Go watch a movie. Eat at your favorite restaurant. Travel the world. Meet your friends and make new friends. And see the bright side of what happened.

Losing your partner may bring you good things. It could also lead you to loving yourself more. It will be a way to know what you really want in life and what makes you happy.

It is not easy to be happy especially when you are at the bad side. But sometimes, all we need is happiness to be happy and to go on with our life the better way.

The bad things could just be our lessons that we need to learn. Our guidance that will remind us what to and not to do. Our memory that will make us stronger, better and wiser. ☺️

So there you go! I hope this could also apply in your life. Not everything but for sure there will be a few.

And if you want to laugh and learn many games, watch Running Man. Every episode will surely make you laugh hard and make you use your brain to solve the mystery & the mission. 😍

안녕! 🤗