S1·E536 2021 Hoodwinker Association New Year's Party

Episode recap

Running Man Season 1, Episode 536, titled “Hoodwinker Association New Year’s Party,” aired in 2021 as part of the long‑running Korean variety series that began in 2010. In keeping with the program’s format, the episode brings the regular cast back to the Card Shark Association for a celebratory gathering that marks the start of the new year. The association’s members convene for a party that quickly turns into a competitive arena, reflecting the show’s hallmark blend of humor, teamwork and rivalry.

The central focus of the episode is a contest over caramels, the association’s symbolic prize, which becomes the catalyst for a heated rivalry among the participants. As the members vie for the sweets, the stakes are amplified by the looming decision on the association’s chairpersonship. The synopsis notes that the chairperson position hangs in the balance, creating a palpable tension that drives the proceedings. Lee Jae‑seok, who currently holds the chair, is presented as a potential two‑term chairman, and the episode frames his possible re‑election as a key narrative thread. The competition therefore serves a dual purpose: it provides the usual physical and mental challenges that define Running Man while simultaneously acting as a de facto election campaign for the leadership role.

Throughout the hour, the cast engages in the series’ characteristic series of games and missions, each designed to test agility, strategy and cooperation, as described in the show’s general format. The rivalry over the caramels intensifies, with participants employing both playful tactics and earnest effort to sway the outcome in their favor. The episode maintains a festive atmosphere appropriate to a New Year’s celebration, yet the underlying contest keeps the tension high.

By the conclusion of the episode, viewers are left with the question of whether Jae‑seok will secure a second consecutive term or whether the Card Shark Association will usher in a new chairperson for the coming year. The unresolved outcome encourages anticipation for the next installment, staying true to the series’ tradition of leaving pivotal results open until the final reveal.