For fourteen years, Running Man has been a cornerstone of South Korean television, anchoring SBS’s weekend schedule with over 700 episodes of high-stakes, low-fi chaos. Now, the show is preparing for its most ambitious expansion yet: a move into the U.S. market.

Production company Hellcat, founded by former WME and ICM agent Pippa Lambert, has begun shopping a U.S. adaptation of the format to streamers and networks. It is a calculated bet on a genre that has seen sporadic success in the West but rarely with the longevity of the Korean original.

The Anatomy of an Urban Chase

At its simplest, Running Man is a game of tag. In practice, it is a high-concept, celebrity-driven competition series that blends large-scale missions with the kind of serialized, character-based rivalries usually reserved for scripted dramas. The show’s logline describes it as a mix between The Traitors and Taskmaster, relying on a consistent cast whose alliances and betrayals evolve over the course of a season.

Unlike the polished, studio-bound game shows that dominate American daytime television, Running Man thrives on spontaneity. Challenges are frequently held in public spaces, utilizing a "low-fi" aesthetic that prioritizes physical comedy and genuine human interaction over expensive pyrotechnics.

Why Hellcat Thinks It Will Stick

For Lambert, the appeal lies in the show’s "relational storytelling." In an era where reality television is often defined by rapid-fire editing and artificial conflict, Running Man offers something different: a long-term engine for character development.

"The challenges all take place outside of the studio and are wildly imaginative and surprisingly low-fi," Lambert said in a statement. "At its core, the format thrives on returning cast chemistry—where alliances fracture, rivalries deepen, and comic personas evolve over each season."

This isn't Hellcat’s first foray into international adaptations. The company is currently working on a U.S. version of the Australian canine reality series Muster Dogs and previously collaborated with SBS on a scripted remake of the K-pop comedy Modern Farmer for NBC in 2022.

The Challenge of the U.S. Market

Translating a Korean variety format for American audiences has historically been a hit-or-miss endeavor. While Fox’s The Masked Singer proved that Korean formats could become massive U.S. cultural touchstones, other attempts have struggled to capture the specific cultural nuance of the original.

Kevin Kim, executive producer of SBS International, argues that the key to the U.S. version will be maintaining the show’s focus on relationships rather than just the mechanics of the games. "The simplicity of the games is intentional," Kim said. "It leaves room for spontaneity and authentic humor to take center stage."

Key Takeaways

  • A Proven Format: Running Man has aired over 700 episodes in South Korea since 2010, establishing a massive, loyal fanbase and a highly refined production model.
  • The Pitch: Hellcat is positioning the show as a character-driven competition series, leaning into the long-term rivalries and alliances that define the original.
  • The Strategy: By focusing on "low-fi" challenges and consistent cast chemistry, producers hope to differentiate the show from the high-gloss, studio-heavy reality formats currently dominating U.S. networks.

Whether a U.S. network will commit to the long-term investment required to build that kind of cast chemistry remains the primary hurdle. For now, the show is in the early stages of conversation, with networks and streamers evaluating whether the "Running Man" engine can run just as effectively in a new territory.