We've all got a gateway story. A story of how you somehow went from a regular life to a 4-D crayon pop explosion of baes and biases, oppas and noonas, binge-watching and hips gyrating. A story of how we got sucked into the Hallyu Wave, an explosion of your feels.

Some of us fantastic babies were swept up first by the glittering world of dancing idols. Others of us fell in love with rich boys with mama problems or the poor girls they can't help back-hugging and piggy-backing. They all get to show a different side in the realm of Korean variety shows, one of which is SBS's Running Man.

Currently starring a core group of seven actors, MCs, singers and entertainers, Running Man is an athletic competition consisting of games and missions, played with the core members and various guests in a myriad of different locations, including far-off locales such as China, Thailand and Australia. Bringing out the best, worst and funniest in its participants, Running Man continues to grow into a global phenomenon with the debut of Running Man China in 2014.

Though many episodes star just the core group, the show really shines when they find interesting--and devious--stars to guest. Many guests are plucked from hit tv shows and movies, professional sports and Korea's music and celebrity scene: "I first discovered Running Man when the cast of the famous drama, Heirs, appeared," says Karina from Oceanside, CA. Lorena from Texas started watching when the popular YG group, Big Bang, guested on the show. Aida from Denver watched for pro baseball player Ryu Hyun-jin's appearance.

The immense watchability of Running Man may also spring from its dependence on games and missions which are more physical in nature, making heavy translation from the original Korean less necessary. "I noticed they were playing a really advanced type of hide-and-seek. Despite not understanding what they were saying (no subs), it was really fun to watch," says Larissa from Covina, CA.

It wasn't long before fans decided to replicate the show in real life. Running Fan, a Southern California-based Facebook group with more than 300 members, has been running, not walking, since appearing at the first KCON in 2012. "I was at KCON and I met these guys. I was so happy it was a group that loved Running Man as much as I did!" says Filemon from Orange, CA.

Ric, one of the founders of Running Fan, recalls how it all started: "KCON had posted on their Facebook page encouraging cosplay, and I posted in a comment saying in addition to cosplaying Running Man, it'd be awesome to play some kind of name-tag elimination. We pretty much rallied people to wear a name-tag and meet guerilla-style at a location."

Taking inspiration from the show, the group has hosted numerous events in-person and online for both members and the public, involving many of the same games and missions from the show, as well as original and remixed versions created by the RF staff, who also call themselves PDs. "I joined Running Fan because we were making the missions from the show into a reality, which was basically the biggest dream come true for me," says Mariah from California. Aubree from Stroudsburg, PA, joined Running Fan "to participate in as many missions as I can. They are fun even though I can only join the online missions, and to share the wonderfulness that is Running Man!"

The bond that formed through years of running together between Running Man's core group is evident amongst their fans as well. "It still astonishes me that I've known the Running Fan members for about 3 years now. They're really amazing people that I feel like I connected with in such a short period of time," says Tina from Westminster, CA. Daratha from Pomona, CA, says, "I like being being part of a family of very diverse individuals. I hope it will grow in size while also keeping a very close-knitted family bond."

Of course, the ultimate dream for any Running Fan is to appear on the show. If and when Running Man decides to film in the United States, they may find the competition too hot to handle.

Running Fan will appear again at this year's KCON LA as part of their Activities offerings all three days of the convention. If you are attending, run, don't walk, to be a part of the action.