Celebrities turn running into a cultural movement, from social posts to on-screen crews and shows.

The running boom in Korea has become ubiquitous across major cities, driven by a wave of celebrity runners posting their activity online. Celebrities’ SNS posts are sparking new running trends and drawing crowds, fueling a broader cultural shift around fitness and community.

This momentum has spilled into the entertainment- and content-making ecosystem, with programs like MBN’s Run to Survive and tvN’s Iron Girls overtly incorporating running as a central theme. Across platforms, running content from celebrities continues to proliferate, including YouTube channels and other social media.

Leading this movement is the Unknown Crew, a running group formed around Sean, which has grown into a major gathering of famous names, including Park Bo-gum, Im Si-wan, Daniel of NewJeans, Yoon Se-a, Ko Han-min, Shim Eu-ddeum, Lee Shi-woo, and Jin Sun-kyu. Members often join or express interest in joining, blending running with charitable and community activities, such as Sean’s annual 8.15 Marathon and other meaningful events.

On television and in real life, running-focused crews have become a recognizable phenomenon. As celebrities embrace running as a lifestyle, they share their routines through various channels, and the running ecosystem—spurred by related industries and indirect advertising—appears poised to accelerate further.