Welcome To The Delightfully Chaotic World Of Run BTS

By Jenna Guillaume


What do zombies, floristry, bungee jumping, dogs, karaoke, coffee, saunas, arcades, style shows, bowling, and poetry all have in common?


the hugest boy musical group in the world.


Over the years, BTS has dabbled in multiple artisanal hobbies and adrenaline-pumping shenanigans in their variety show, Run BTS, which recently celebrated its 100th episode on April 14. And that list doesn’t even start to scratch the surface of everything the series has tackled since it started airing on Korea's streaming app V reside in 2015.


In the 100th episode special, rapper Suga expressed his surprise that Run BTS has lasted this long. In the event you go back and watch the early chapters, which are accessible to stream for free, you could visualize where he’s coming from. There's a wide-eyed earnestness permeating the sort, which, while endearing, doesn't exactly lend itself to enduring comedy gold.


BTS has come a long way from being the males who tested how wide they could open their mouths to decide which of these deserved to be crowned “best man” in the show’s second episode, and thus has Run BTS itself. Because the musical group noted in the milestone episode, the production values are higher (think renting out an entire mall soon after hours), they’re in bigger and better venues (like VR parks and inside stadiums), doing more extravagant activities (including a three-part water park extravaganza), and, needless to say, securing big-name sponsors (#Fila).


However what hasn’t changed since those beginning short-form segments is the chemistry of the seven members. Indeed, it’s only gotten stronger as they’ve become more comfortable in front of the cameras and within themselves. It’s what makes the show — and the chart-topping musical group — special, and what draws in new fans and keeps older ones coming back for more.


What’s fascinating about Run BTS isn't just its wholesome irreverence, although also the way it complements who BTS are as a crowd. It permits RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook to showcase completely different sides than what you visualize in their rather polished, cautiously choreographed music videos and performances. They take whichever is thrown at them (and the producers throw a lot at them, like zombies) and good-naturedly make themselves look dumb for the entertainment of the viewers — and, perhaps best of all, themselves.


A huge segment of the appeal of BTS, and what takes you from being a casual listener to a fully-fledged member of their ARMY, is the joy they seem to take in every other. It's the way they all have their own quirks and strengths as individuals and entertainers although also come with each other as seven to form something remarkable. Run BTS highlights this teamwork while reinforcing the fact that no matter how several global records they break, millions they earn, or award shows they attend, the members are still a bunch of humble dorks who break things, make fools of themselves, laugh at their own terrible jokes, and throw each other under the bus for the grand prize of instant noodles. It's a reminder that at the end of all this, they still love one another a lot.


This is why Run BTS has lasted 100 episodes — and how, for its millions of viewers, it’s often the highlight of the week; a held chaos that’s calming and funny, as instead of the spiraling, scary chaos of the outdoors world.


Whether you’ve never seen it before or just aspire to relive some of the ideal moments, here are a few of the most crucial episodes you need to certainly make time for.

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  "The Taste of Korea" (Episode 20)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  By this episode, BTS had hit their stride in the variety format; they seem more comfortable in front of the camera, and the show in general feels more cohesive. “The Taste of Korea” sees the members split into two teams for a cooking competition, the highlights of which include V, who apparently can’t cook, spending a comedic quantity of time pouring sauce into a squirrel-shaped dish, and Jungkook making glazed sweet potato so sticky it becomes glued to the plate. Nevertheless it’s the meme-worthy reactions of the other members to such antics that are the perfect parts.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "BTS vs Zombies" (Episode 24)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  Poor BTS. This is just one of the several instances in which their producers scare the hell out of these for laughs. At least it provides many laughs. The guys are told they’re going on a “night safari,” nevertheless are then besieged by actors dressed up as zombies. They must complete special missions while the undead attack from all angles. It goes about along with you could expect.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "The Variety Show of Memories" (Episodes 30–31)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  In these episodes, Run BTS really leans into its format by getting the members to play popular Korean variety show games. Dressed up in retro clothes, the guys dance around, wrestle, play trivia, and attempt to remember lyrics to an earworm of a children’s song while half-asleep. It’s a compelling hour of television.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "BTS and Manito" (Episodes 33–34)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  This is one of the most lo-fi moments of Run BTS in terms of production: It’s just the sort in their practice room, playing games, gently pranking one another, and exchanging gifts. So simple, nevertheless incredibly engaging thanks to the organic charm of the sort. This is never more evident than in the iconic “photo zone” game, in which the guys jump airborne and pull off a specified pose at the exact right moment to be captured on camera, with absolutely hilarious results.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "BTS Golden Bell" (Episodes 39 and 41)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  Another pair of episodes featuring BTS in an eas studio playing variety show games, nevertheless this one gave the fandom one of its preference memes: “large-morara.” Throughout a game called “shouting in silence” (a Korean variety show favorite), in which the members have to pass a word down a line while they’re all wearing headphones playing loud music, Jimin incorrectly interprets “carbonara” because the non-word “large-morara” — and Jin somehow manages in turn to properly guess “carbonara” from that. Instant legend status.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "BTS Picnic" (Episodes 53–56)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  In this surprisingly emotional, four-episode arc, the musical group goes camping. They go grocery shopping with each other — much more interesting than it sounds — plus play tons of games, and sing karaoke. While it’s all very amusing, the most memorable moment is actually a more trustworthy one, any time at the end of the trip, BTS write poems exploring their feelings about each other. It’s a moving insight into their sort dynamic, also it even set the groundwork for the introspective themes explored in future albums.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "BTS in Toronto" (Episodes 69–71)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  Yes, it’s another trip! This time BTS has a night away with each other in Canada throughout their Love Yourself tour. There’s more grocery shopping, the thrill of picking rooms in the home they’re staying in, and also a family member meal that they cook with each other. All incredibly mundane things, unless needless to say BTS — and their producers — are involved. On top of the suspense (and plot twists!) Of the decorative room selection process, there really are surprise missions to keep things entertaining.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "Operation 007" (Episodes 79–80)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  The best Run BTS moments tend to happen any time the order is shamelessly betraying one another (only people who love each other as much as they clearly do can do so with such ease). These episodes are full of so much betrayal it’s dizzying. Set loose on a scavenger hunt in a shopping mall soon after hours, BTS lie, cheat, and ruthlessly compete sort in attempt to win — leading to one of the most dramatic climaxes in Run BTS history.
  
  
  
  
  



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  "Summer Outing" (Episodes 83–85)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  What’s better than BTS playing games? BTS playing games in a water park! Over these three episodes, the musical group plays water polo, goes tubing while attempting to do math, launches into the air on giant inflatables, and gangs up against Jungkook in an obstacle course (because he’s that damn good at everything). Finally, in a quieter moment, the guys exchange gifts, which length from hilarious (V giving Jungkook fans emblazoned with his face) to heartfelt (J-Hope creating a physical single for “Promise,” Jimin’s solo released by way of the Soundcloud).
  
  
  
  
  



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  "Pajama Party" (Episodes 97–98)
  
  
  Big Hit Entertainment
  
  
  
  This is only a recent entry, however it immediately became a fan preference, thanks in part to timing. While the world is in lockdown, BTS invites us into their very own pajama party (purely coincidentally — the episode was filmed in the summer of 2019). Featuring the requisite games plus an outstanding attempt at ASMR, it’s a cozy, comforting and, because it’s BTS, completely chaotic series of episodes. It's exactly what we need right now.