Running Man has been on television for years, but it still knows how to create moments that spread quickly online. Episode 817 did exactly that. The August 23 broadcast mixed personal stories, cast teasing, a sports lookalike moment, and a tribute to a crew member who has worked with the show since its early days.

For viewers searching for the Running Man latest episode, this installment offered more than one headline. Ji Ye-eun spoke about a painful first experience with stocks. Kim Jong-kook surprised the cast with playful aegyo. Later, professional darts player Lee Se-hyun walked in and immediately reminded the members of football star Son Heung-min.

What Happened in Running Man Episode 817?

The episode aired on SBS on August 23, 2026. Its main race was built around camera director Kang Chan-hee, a longtime member of the Running Man production team. Reports about the episode say he has been with the show since its first episode, which gave the race a personal meaning for the cast.

The members completed missions to collect dart pins and earn gifts for Kang. Along the way, however, ordinary conversations between the cast created some of the episode’s most talked-about moments. That balance between games and natural chemistry is a major reason Running Man continues to produce viral clips.

Ji Ye-eun Reveals Her First Stock Investment Is Down 47%

Illustrative visual: a falling market chart represents the stock-loss discussion.

One of the biggest talking points came while the members were discussing stock investing. Ji Ye-eun said she had tried investing for the first time and that her return had fallen to about -47%.

The reveal stood out because she described a situation many new investors understand: people around her were talking about stocks, so she started thinking that she should try it too. Kim Jong-kook responded that he had told her not to jump in. He also mentioned FOMO, or the fear of missing out, as a reason people can feel pressure to join an investment trend.

The conversation stayed light because it happened naturally between the cast members. Still, the number itself was striking. A loss of 47% is close to half of the value of an investment, so it quickly became a headline after the episode aired.

There is one important limit to the available reporting. The reports confirm Ji Ye-eun’s stated return, but they do not clearly establish the exact stock, the amount invested, or whether she had sold the position. Those details should not be guessed.

Kim Jong-kook Surprises the Cast With Playful Aegyo

Another viral moment came during a meal scene. Kim Jong-kook, who is usually known for a strong and disciplined image, suddenly became playful in front of the food and showed an unusually cute side.

The members noticed immediately. HaHa teased him about the change, while the group connected his new energy with married life. The humor came from the contrast: viewers are used to seeing Kim Jong-kook as one of the tougher personalities on the show, so the unexpected aegyo felt even funnier.

The moment also showed how Running Man can turn a simple meal into entertainment. There was no large mission or complicated setup. The cast’s reactions were enough to make the scene memorable.

Why Yoo Jae-suk Brought Up X-Man

Yoo Jae-suk made the teasing even better by referring to X-Man, the popular variety show that featured both him and Kim Jong-kook in the past. He joked that if Kim Jong-kook had acted this cute back then, X-Man might have continued for another five years.

For longtime Korean variety fans, the reference added nostalgia. It also highlighted the long history between Yoo Jae-suk and Kim Jong-kook, who have shared television screens for many years.

Son Heung-min Lookalike Lee Se-hyun Shocks the Cast

Illustrative visual: the episode’s final challenge involved a professional darts player.

The final part of the race brought another surprise. Professional darts player Lee Se-hyun appeared as the members’ opponent. Before the match even became the focus, the cast reacted to how much he resembled football star Son Heung-min.

Kim Jong-kook was especially surprised. The members kept commenting on the resemblance, and Lee Se-hyun played along by recreating Son Heung-min’s familiar camera-style celebration pose. The result was a short but highly shareable comedy moment.

It is important to phrase this correctly: Son Heung-min himself did not appear in the episode. The guest was Lee Se-hyun, a professional darts player whose appearance reminded the cast of the football star.

Who Is Lee Se-hyun?

Lee Se-hyun appeared as more than a lookalike. Sports Chosun described him as a professional darts player who had placed second in a world championship. That made him a serious opponent for the final challenge and gave the segment a competitive edge.

His skill and his resemblance to a famous athlete created a useful combination for variety television: the cast had something to joke about before the game, and viewers still had a real contest to watch afterward.

Running Man Honors Camera Director Kang Chan-hee

The emotional heart of Episode 817 was camera director Kang Chan-hee. The race was designed to prepare gifts for him after many years of work with Running Man.

This gave the episode more depth. The public normally sees the cast, but a long-running television program also depends on camera operators, directors, writers, audio teams, editors, and many other crew members. By making Kang part of the story, the show gave viewers a small look at the people behind the camera.

The members collected dart pins through missions and then used the final darts challenge to try to secure different gifts. According to Sports Chosun, the prizes included gift certificates, supplements, and wild ginseng.

HaHa’s 500,000-Won Gift Creates a Warm Ending

The members did not manage to beat the professional darts player. HaHa also lost a bonus round. Even so, the episode ended on a generous note: Sports Chosun reported that HaHa paid 500,000 won from his own pocket to buy wild ginseng for Kang Chan-hee.

The production team also prepared a director’s chair. Together, those gifts turned the ending into a sincere thank-you to someone who has spent many years helping make the show.

Why Running Man Still Works in 2026

Episode 817 is a good example of why Running Man can still generate attention after so many years. The show does not rely on only one type of entertainment. It can move from a casual stock conversation to cast teasing, then to a sports challenge, and finally to an emotional tribute.

Just as important, the members know each other well. A short reaction from HaHa or Yoo Jae-suk can become funny because viewers already understand the personalities involved. That kind of chemistry is difficult to reproduce quickly on a new show.

The August 23 episode also connected with several different audiences. Entertainment fans had the Kim Jong-kook moment. People interested in viral celebrity news had Ji Ye-eun’s stock story. Football fans noticed the Son Heung-min comparison. Longtime Running Man viewers received the emotional tribute to Kang Chan-hee.

Final Thoughts

Running Man Episode 817 delivered several memorable stories without losing the show’s familiar style. Ji Ye-eun’s -47% stock return created the biggest personal reveal. Kim Jong-kook’s aegyo gave the cast an easy target for teasing. Lee Se-hyun’s resemblance to Son Heung-min added an unexpected sports-related joke. Meanwhile, the tribute to Kang Chan-hee gave the episode a warm purpose.

For viewers catching up on the Running Man latest episode, Episode 817 is a strong example of how the series can still mix comedy, personality, and emotion in the same broadcast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What episode of Running Man aired on August 23, 2026?

The episode discussed here is Running Man Episode 817, broadcast on August 23, 2026.

How much did Ji Ye-eun say she lost on stocks?

Ji Ye-eun said her first stock investment was showing a return of about -47%.

Did Son Heung-min appear on Running Man Episode 817?

No. Professional darts player Lee Se-hyun appeared, and the cast joked about his resemblance to Son Heung-min.

Who is Lee Se-hyun?

Lee Se-hyun is a professional darts player who appeared as the members’ opponent in the episode’s final challenge.

Who is Kang Chan-hee in Running Man?

Kang Chan-hee is a longtime camera director associated with Running Man. Episode 817 centered its special race on preparing gifts for him.