Choi Daniel, the newest temporary member of SBS’s popular variety show Running Man, stepped into the spotlight on April 6, 2025, and instantly turned heads with his oddball charm. His first episode as a rental member aired at 6:10 p.m. KST, delivering a mix of chaos and comedy that fans won’t soon forget.
The show kicked off with a short summary: Choi Daniel joined the cast as a special guest member for a limited time, bringing his quirky energy to the long-running series. Host Yoo Jae Suk didn’t hold back, labeling him “not normal” in a hilarious moment that set the tone for the day. Producers threw in a tricky pre-race mission—get Choi Daniel to the set on time without tipping him off—and the result was pure entertainment.
Fans of Running Man know the drill: the cast tackles wild missions, often with unexpected twists. This time, the episode started with a bang. Picture this: the team split into small groups, buzzing with their usual banter. When someone asked if they knew what day it was, Yoo Jae Suk fired back with a quick, “Yeah, it’s a high fine dust day.” The crew burst into laughter, and the stage was set for Choi Daniel’s big entrance.
Here’s where it gets good. The producers had a sneaky plan: the cast had to pick up Choi Daniel from his home and get him to work without giving him any direct hints. If they pulled it off smoothly, their team would score a bigger budget for the race. Simple, right? Not with this guy. The members weren’t feeling hopeful. “We already failed,” they groaned, sensing trouble. Yoo Jae Suk, never one to sugarcoat, chimed in with, “This guy’s a total weirdo—he’s not a normal person.” His blunt comment had everyone cracking up, and it was clear they were in for a wild ride.
Choi Daniel didn’t disappoint. He showed up with a vibe all his own—think bold style and energy that’s impossible to predict. The pickup mission turned into a comedy of errors. Imagine Yoo Jae Suk, Haha, and Yang Se Chan rolling up to his place unannounced. Choi Daniel opened the door, totally thrown off, asking, “Why did you come? The shoot starts at 2 o’clock…” Polite as ever, he offered them water, but the trio pushed him to shave and wash up fast instead. Then came dinner—a twist gave Choi Daniel “absolute power” over the meal. When he stopped eating, everyone else had to stop too. The cast scrambled to keep up with his pace, and the chaos only grew from there.

Viewers got a front-row seat to Choi Daniel’s unique charm. His offbeat moves and quick wit had the team on their toes. At one point, he shouted, “I’m having so much fun, though!”—a line that summed up his vibe perfectly. Social media lit up with reactions from netizens. One fan posted, “He’s so random, I love it!” Another said, “Yoo Jae Suk calling him weird is spot on—this guy’s a riot.” A third added, “Choi Daniel’s energy is next level. Can he stay forever?”
Who Is Choi Daniel?
For those new to the name, Choi Daniel isn’t just a random pick. He’s an actor known for roles in dramas like Jugglers and The Ghost Detective, but lately, he’s been stealing the show on variety programs. His recent stints on Jungle Food 2, The Great Guide 2, and his YouTube series ChoiDaCheese have shown off his knack for comedy and unpredictable flair. Running Man tapped into that, making him the third rental member after Kang Hoon and Ji Ye Eun—the latter now a permanent cast member.
The rental system, a fresh twist for the show, lets guests join for a set period without the pressure of a full-time gig. Choi Daniel recorded his first episode on March 24, 2025, and aired it on April 6. Unlike a one-off guest spot, he’s here to shake things up for a while, and this debut proved he’s got the goods.
A Day of Chaos and Laughs
The episode didn’t just lean on the pickup mission. Once Choi Daniel was on set, the real fun began. The cast—Yoo Jae Suk, Haha, Kim Jong Kook, Song Ji Hyo, Ji Suk Jin, Yang Se Chan, and Ji Ye Eun—tried to roll with his quirks. Picture Song Ji Hyo and Ji Suk Jin setting up a welcome party, only for Kim Jong Kook to grumble, “Why are we doing this for someone who’s basically family now?” Meanwhile, Yoo Jae Suk’s crew turned their “pickup service” into a full-on ambush, catching Choi Daniel off guard.
His unpredictable nature kept everyone guessing. One minute, he’s charming the team with his oddball humor; the next, he’s throwing them off with a random move. The episode wrapped with fans buzzing about his fit. “He’s perfect for Running Man,” one viewer wrote. “That chaos is what we live for.”
What’s Next for Choi Daniel?
This debut is just the start. As a rental member, Choi Daniel will stick around for more episodes, and if his first day is any clue, he’s set to bring plenty of laughs. The show’s history with rental members—Kang Hoon added fresh energy, and Ji Ye Eun won a permanent spot—hints that Choi Daniel could leave a lasting mark too. Will he stay a temp, or could he join the main lineup? Fans are already rooting for more.
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Credits: SBS