S1·E654 TV Rating Notice Art Exhibition, Part 2 / 2023 So-min's Choice (1)

Episode recap

The episode is divided into two distinct segments that each focus on a different thematic challenge for the regular cast. The first segment continues the “TV Rating Notice Art Exhibition” storyline, now in its second part. The overarching concept for this portion of the show is determined through a process called “Seven Person Banksy,” in which the participants collectively decide on a visual theme. Once the theme is selected, every member of the Running Man team dresses in costumes that directly reference the chosen drawing, turning the set into a living gallery that reflects the artistic direction established by the Seven Person Banksy decision. This visual alignment reinforces the episode’s focus on the interplay between television rating symbols and contemporary street‑art aesthetics.

The second segment introduces a special feature titled “2023 So‑min’s Choice Race.” The premise of this feature stems from So‑min’s recurring difficulty in being paired with the guest of her own selection in previous episodes. To address this pattern, the producers have created a dedicated race that gives So‑min agency over her teammate. In this installment, two new participants, Se‑ho and Kang Hoon, are added to the regular lineup. So‑min’s teammate is determined through a quiz format, allowing her to make a strategic choice based on the answers she provides. The quiz serves both as a narrative device to highlight So‑min’s decision‑making process and as a mechanism for integrating the new members into the competition.

Throughout the episode, the dual focus on artistic expression and personalized team selection creates a layered viewing experience. The costume‑driven art exhibition segment showcases the cast’s willingness to embody visual concepts, while the So‑min‑centered race emphasizes individual preference within the collaborative framework of the show. By combining these elements, the episode maintains the series’ signature blend of humor, competition, and variety, while also providing a platform for So‑min to break her previous pattern of mismatched pairings. The structure of the episode, with its clear division between the art‑themed dress‑up challenge and the quiz‑driven teammate selection, underscores the program’s ongoing commitment to inventive game design and character‑focused storytelling.