In the summer of 2018, the South Korean variety show Running Man—a global phenomenon known for its hilarious games and star-studded guest appearances—delivered an episode that sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. On July 22, 2018, Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, and Simon Pegg stepped onto the Running Man set in Seoul to promote their blockbuster Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The trio’s participation in the show’s iconic “name tag ripping” game, their stylish flair, and their unexpected charm left fans around the world in a frenzy. On May 20, 2025, at 3:51 PM +07, as we look back on this historic moment, it’s clear that their appearance was more than just a promotional stunt—it was a cultural crossover that bridged Hollywood and K-pop, broke the internet, and showcased the universal appeal of laughter and camaraderie. Let’s dive into the unforgettable episode, the behind-the-scenes magic, and the lasting impact of this star-powered takeover! 🎬🔥

A Hollywood Invasion: The Stage Is Set in Seoul 🌍

Running Man, which first aired in 2010 on South Korea’s SBS network, has long been a staple of global entertainment, drawing millions of viewers with its blend of physical challenges, witty banter, and celebrity guests. By 2018, the show had already hosted international stars like Ryan Reynolds and Jackie Chan, but the arrival of Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, and Simon Pegg for episode 410 marked a new pinnacle. The trio was in Seoul to promote Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the sixth installment in the franchise, which had just premiered on July 25, 2018, and would go on to gross over $791 million worldwide. Their decision to appear on Running Man was a strategic move to tap into the Asian market, but it turned into a cultural moment that transcended borders. 🎥

The episode began with a teaser that set the internet ablaze. Released a week earlier on SBS’s YouTube channel, the 23-second clip featured Cruise, Cavill, and Pegg sprinting through a Seoul stadium, dressed in sleek black-and-white outfits that mirrored their Mission: Impossible aesthetic. The Running Man cast—Kim Jong-kook, Haha, Ji Suk-jin, Lee Kwang-soo, Song Ji-hyo, Yang Se-chan, and Yoo Jae-suk—could barely contain their excitement, with Yoo Jae-suk exclaiming, “This is unreal!” The teaser promised a “name tag ripping” game, a Running Man staple where players chase each other to tear off name tags attached to their backs, often leading to hilarious chaos. Fans on X went wild, with one user posting, “Tom Cruise on Running Man? My two worlds are colliding! 😱 #RunningMan.” The anticipation was palpable, and when the episode aired, it did not disappoint. 📺

The Game Is On: Hollywood Stars in the Name Tag Race 🏃‍♂️

The episode opened with the Hollywood stars greeting the cast in a mix of English and halting Korean, their efforts earning cheers from the audience. Tom Cruise, then 56, flashed his signature megawatt smile, while Henry Cavill, 35, charmed everyone with his boyish enthusiasm, even making a heart gesture that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Simon Pegg, 48, brought his comedic flair, joking, “I’m here to lose spectacularly!” The Running Man cast, known for their playful dynamics, welcomed the trio with open arms, though Kim Jong-kook—nicknamed “The Commander” for his strength—teased, “I hope you’re ready to run, because I won’t go easy on you!” The stage was set for an epic showdown. 💪

The “name tag ripping” game took place in a sprawling Seoul stadium, with the players divided into teams. Cruise, Cavill, and Pegg were paired with different Running Man members, creating a mix of Hollywood star power and Korean variety show chaos. Cruise teamed up with Yoo Jae-suk, Cavill with Song Ji-hyo, and Pegg with Lee Kwang-soo, setting the stage for a battle of wits, speed, and strategy. The game’s rules were simple: eliminate the opposing teams by ripping off their name tags while protecting your own. But as any Running Man fan knows, simplicity often leads to hilarity. 😂

Cruise proved to be a formidable player, channeling his Mission: Impossible agility to dodge attacks and outmaneuver opponents. At one point, he and Yoo Jae-suk executed a stealthy ambush on Kim Jong-kook, with Cruise diving to rip off the Commander’s name tag—a moment that left the audience roaring with laughter. Cavill, meanwhile, showcased his physical prowess, sprinting across the field with Song Ji-hyo to take down Haha in a dramatic showdown. His heart gesture after the victory became an instant meme, with fans on X dubbing him “the Superman of Running Man.” Pegg, true to his word, played the lovable underdog, often tripping over his own feet but winning the crowd with his self-deprecating humor. “I’m an actor, not an athlete!” he quipped as Lee Kwang-soo dragged him into a hiding spot. 🎭

Cultural Crossover: Bridging Hollywood and K-Pop 🌐

The episode wasn’t just about the game—it was a celebration of cultural exchange. Between rounds, the Running Man cast taught the Hollywood stars Korean phrases, with Cruise attempting to say “Annyeonghaseyo” (hello) and Cavill trying his hand at a K-pop dance move, much to the delight of Song Ji-hyo. The stars also sampled Korean snacks like tteokbokki, with Pegg jokingly asking, “Is this spicy enough to make me run faster?” The lighthearted interactions highlighted the universal language of laughter, bridging the gap between Hollywood and K-pop culture. 🍜

The episode’s impact was immediate and global. According to SBS, episode 410 drew a record-breaking 9.2% nationwide rating in South Korea, the highest of the year, and garnered over 15 million views on YouTube within a week. Internationally, fans from the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia flooded social media with reactions, with hashtags like #TomCruiseRunningMan and #HenryCavillHeart trending worldwide. A fan on X wrote, “Seeing Tom Cruise and Henry Cavill on Running Man made my year! This is the crossover we didn’t know we needed! 🌟.” The episode also boosted Mission: Impossible – Fallout’s performance in Asia, with the film earning $135 million in the region, a testament to the power of cross-cultural promotion. 🎉

Behind the Scenes: A Labor of Love and Laughter 🎥

Behind the scenes, the episode was a logistical feat. The Running Man production team worked tirelessly to accommodate the Hollywood stars’ schedules, filming the episode in a single day during their promotional tour in Seoul. Director Choi Bo-pil later revealed in a 2018 interview with SBS News that the team had only two weeks to prepare after negotiations with the Mission: Impossible cast were finalized. “We were nervous about hosting such big stars, but they were incredibly professional and down-to-earth,” he said. Cruise, known for his hands-on approach, even suggested a few ideas for the game, drawing from his experience filming action sequences. 🎬

The Running Man cast also played a crucial role in making the guests feel at home. Song Ji-hyo, the only female member, bonded with Cavill over their shared love of fitness, while Lee Kwang-soo, known as the “Betrayer” for his sneaky tactics, playfully teased Pegg throughout the episode. Off-camera, the stars exchanged gifts—Cruise gave the cast autographed Mission: Impossible posters, while Yoo Jae-suk presented them with traditional Korean hanbok clothing. These gestures of goodwill underscored the mutual respect between the two entertainment worlds. 🎁

A Lasting Legacy: The Impact on Running Man and Beyond 🌟

The Running Man episode featuring Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, and Simon Pegg remains one of the show’s most iconic moments, even seven years later in 2025. It set a precedent for international collaborations, paving the way for other Hollywood stars like Ryan Reynolds (2019) and Margot Robbie (2023) to appear on the show. The episode also solidified Running Man’s status as a global platform, capable of bridging cultural divides through entertainment. For the Mission: Impossible franchise, the appearance boosted its visibility in Asia, contributing to its enduring success—the series’ seventh installment, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, grossed $567 million in 2023, with significant earnings from the Asian market.

For Cruise, Cavill, and Pegg, the experience left a lasting impression. In a 2019 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Cavill reflected on the episode, saying, “It was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had on a promotional tour. The Running Man cast was so welcoming, and I’ll never forget the energy of that day.” Cruise, speaking at a Mission: Impossible press event in 2023, called it “a highlight of my career,” adding, “I’d love to go back and run with them again.” Pegg, known for his comedic roles, has often cited the episode as a career highlight, joking in a 2024 podcast that he’s “still recovering” from Lee Kwang-soo’s relentless teasing. 🗣️

Looking Back: A Moment That Defined a Generation 🎈

As of 3:51 PM +07 on May 20, 2025, the Running Man episode featuring Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, and Simon Pegg remains a touchstone for fans of both Hollywood and K-pop culture. It’s a reminder of the power of entertainment to unite people across borders, languages, and industries. The episode’s blend of high-energy games, cultural exchange, and genuine camaraderie showcased the best of what Running Man has to offer, while giving fans a rare glimpse of Hollywood stars letting loose and having fun.

The legacy of this crossover continues to resonate. Running Man remains a beloved show, now in its 15th year, with a global fanbase that spans generations. For Tom Cruise, the Mission: Impossible franchise continues to thrive, with an eighth installment slated for 2026. Henry Cavill, meanwhile, is exploring new roles, including a rumored involvement in Amazon’s Warhammer 40,000 series, while Simon Pegg continues to charm audiences in films like The Boys. But for one magical day in 2018, these stars were just players in a game, running, laughing, and breaking the internet together. 🌟