S1·E542 2021 Running Man Neighborhood Athletic Meet with The Penthouse

Episode recap

The episode opens on the final day of the Lunar New Year holidays, a time when Korean television often features special programming and guest appearances. In keeping with the show’s tradition of inviting popular actors to join the regular cast, three members of the hit drama The Penthouse—Park Eun‑Seok, Yoon Jong‑Hun and Ha Do‑Kwon—arrive at the Running Man set. Their presence is announced as part of the 2021 Running Man Neighborhood Athletic Meet, a themed competition that blends the series’ signature variety‑show format with a sports‑oriented challenge.

Running Man, a long‑running Korean variety program, regularly structures its episodes around a series of games and missions in which the cast members and any guest participants vie for points, prizes or, in this case, “trophy stamps.” The stamp‑book mechanic, a recurring element in the show’s competitive segments, serves as a visual tally of each team’s progress; each successful task earns a stamp that is added to a personal or team book. Throughout the episode, the three Penthouse actors join the regular cast in a succession of athletic contests designed to test speed, agility and teamwork. While the specific nature of each contest is not detailed in the available synopsis, the overall goal is clear: to accumulate more trophy stamps than the other participants.

As the competition unfolds, the episode maintains the series’ characteristic blend of humor and rivalry. The staff, known for devising playful punishments for losing participants, prepares a “funny penalty” that will be administered at the conclusion of the meet. The anticipation of this penalty adds a light‑hearted tension to the proceedings, encouraging both guests and regular members to push harder in the athletic challenges.

By the episode’s end, the stamp books reflect the outcomes of the various contests, and the promised penalty is revealed, delivering the comedic payoff that Running Man fans expect. The appearance of the Penthouse actors provides a crossover appeal, linking the popular drama’s cast with the variety show’s energetic format, while the Lunar New Year setting underscores the festive atmosphere of the special episode.