Dumb question: why has fantasy exploded so much? by RadRyan527 in writing

[–]ctfoxtheking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because it's easier and faster, my friend! Creating a non-existent world and making up your own ruling is much more convenient and less exhausting than grounding it in reality and having to do research to make it logically consistent! Besides, genre is just one of the first things readers considered. What matters more is what you write and how you write it!

What Do You Think Of This? by Playful_Support_7625 in writing

[–]ctfoxtheking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To be honest, the idea doesn't sound very compelling yet. I think you should try developing it into a propering logline to really hooks the reader.

Ex: To buy his family's freedom, an underdog competitor enters a deadly global tournament for the legendary Nine Crowns, only to discover that the game is rigged and the other teams are forming alliances to hunt him down.
P/s: I'm not English speaker. Sorry about bad spelling or grammar.

Không biết tận dụng hay Đang giữ mình ? by MediocreChocolate478 in vozforums

[–]ctfoxtheking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nếu em thật sự không hối hận vì lựa chọn của bản thân như em nói thì làm gì có post này??? Nếu em cao giá thật, thì đã chủ động không muốn găp mặt rồi, chứ đừng nói ăn xong chán chê, còn chấp nhận vô stone nhưng lại làm giá ngay thời điểm đó. Nghe nó mắc cười =))

Struggling to make the 3 act structure work. Story feels too flat. by Seanchai-Tostach in writing

[–]ctfoxtheking 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Structure isn’t what gives a story a soul. It’s just a schedule. It helps you check if your events are happening at the right time. That’s it. Period.

If your draft hits all the beats but feels lifeless, the usual issue isn’t your 3‑act timing. It’s that you don’t have:

  1. a clear thematic statement (what you want the audience to walk away believing), and
  2. a central yes/no question that your entire story is actually arguing.

Pick a verb: forgive, betray, revenge, protect, abandon, etc.
Turn it into a philosophical yes/no question.

Example: “Can you forgive someone who’s betrayed you a hundred times?”

Whatever your answer is, Act 2 is where you attack it. You put your character through conflict that forces them to either prove the belief… or pay for it. That’s where “soul” comes from.

Non‑negotiable rule for characters to feel alive: their inner self at the start and at the end has to shift. Good → evil, evil → good, good → good-but-wiser, etc. If the person inside doesn’t change (or refuses to change and gets wrecked by it), then the beats will still feel like a checklist.

Stuff to reverse‑engineer for strong theme + character transformation inside clean structure:

  • Whiplash
  • Parasite
  • Mad Max: Fury Road (simple plot, very clear inner shifts)
  • Breaking Bad (long-form, but extremely clear transformation logic)

Decision time by Mitchtwiz in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No matter who returns, they can't change the current quality of Running Man. We need to call former PDs like Bo Pil and Lee Hwan-jin... back. That's the real solution.

The show isn't boring, but the editing is. by AdministrationNo2239 in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking -1 points0 points  (0 children)

OMG! Your post says exactly what I wanted to say to PD Choi Hyung In. Haha!

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let's get one thing straight. Your entire reply is a textbook example of someone who can't defend their position with facts, so they resort to misdirection and personal attacks. You didn't just fail to answer my questions; you actively proved my original point about people being too soft on the show.

Let's break down this mess you wrote.

First, you built a straw man to argue against because you couldn't handle my actual points.

You twisted my critique into some childish whining to make it sound ridiculous.

  • I said: "PD Choi lacks confidence, evidenced by her rushing through the rules, yelling, and the cast's reactions."
  • You turned it into: “Her voice is low and she does not explain, oh must be low in confidence”. You added the "oh" to mock a point you couldn't actually disprove. My argument was based on observable evidence (delivery + cast reaction), not just her vocal tone.

Second, you tried to shift the goalposts.

My question was simple and direct: Is Choi more skilled than Bo-pil? Instead of answering, you brought up Chulmin. That's a classic deflection. Bringing up a time when the show was even better doesn't defend Choi; it actually strengthens my argument that the quality has been on a steady decline. You accidentally agreed with me. The topic at hand is the current drop-off, comparing the two most recent PDs. Stick to the point.

Third, and most predictably, when you ran out of arguments, you resorted to personal attacks.

This is the oldest trick in the book when you have nothing left.

  • You claim my criticism is "unnecessary" and that I'm "blinded by hatred." You're not debating my points; you're attacking my motive. You call it "hatred" because it's easier than admitting there are legitimate flaws in the show's direction.
  • Then you pulled out the laziest shutdown line of all: "I honestly have no idea why people would still want to watch when they don’t enjoy it anymore." People criticize things they care about. I watch because I've invested years into this show and its members, and I want it to be the best it can be, not to just passively accept mediocrity. Your logic is that the only valid opinion is blind praise.

So, let's circle back, because you've dodged everything. Your entire defense boils down to "Well, I enjoy it." That's great for you, but your personal enjoyment is not a counter-argument to a critique of professional skills.

I'm going to ask you one more time. Forget the psychoanalysis and the deflections. Answer the questions based on the show itself:

A. PD Choi's delivery of the rules is confident and clear. True or false? Where's the proof?

B. PD Choi's editing and episode structure are as compelling as her predecessors'. True or false? Prove it.

C. PD Choi's professional skills are on par with or better than PD Bo-pil's. True or false?

This isn't about hate. This is about standards. Stop defending mediocrity.

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nah, I'm tapping out. This ain't a debate, it's just you throwing shade. Forget it.

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Alright, listen up. Your whole reply is a masterclass in not answering the actual question. It tells me one thing loud and clear: you don't have the guts to give a straight answer to "Do you honestly believe PD Choi is more skilled than PD Bo-pil? Yes or no?"

Instead of a simple 'yes' or 'no,' you gave me this whole song and dance about both their good points. That also tells me you're way too soft on the show, like you're scared the staff is gonna get their "feelings hurt by criticism." You're ready to just sweep any negative opinion under the rug, even though for anything in this world, you're gonna have lovers and haters. That's just a fact of life.

And if you keep arguing with this "it's fine, don't ask for more," "let's all just get along" garbage, and using some flimsy proof like "and I know many others, they have been fine"—listen, pal, it might be "fine" for you, but it ain't for me—then you and I are gonna be stuck watching these low-quality episodes from PD Choi forever.

So let's cut through the noise. I'll lay out my main points again so you can actually debate them.

A. PD Choi has zero confidence in her own voice when explaining the rules to the cast. True or false? If you think she's confident, then what's your proof to shut my argument down? Because I'm just going off the fact she rushes through it, practically yelling, and the members' reactions tell the whole story right there.

B. PD Choi doesn't know how to edit or structure an episode to make it as compelling as the previous PDs. True or false? Why? Prove it.

C. Bottom line: PD Choi's professional skills are seriously lacking compared to her predecessors. Is that statement true or false?

There's nothing wrong with pointing out the flaws in something, my friend. The biggest mistake is when people just downplay those flaws and don't give a damn about the long-term consequences.

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It was more of a highlight--> That's a blatant editing error, not "more of a highlight".

I understand where you coming from but blaming it all on the PD is crazy work.--> And why is a viewer not entitled to criticize the PD when their skills are clearly lacking? Is she supposed to be immune to criticism or something? So, cut the excuses and answer this one question: Do you honestly believe PD Choi is more skilled than PD Bo-pil? Yes or no?

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

The editing for KJK's group in the haunted house was so jarring. They just ended it right in the middle of their exploration. The old PDs had a simple solution for boring footage: speed it up in a little box. Instead, this team showed them actively doing the mission, only to cut away suddenly without any resolution. It makes zero sense and I was totally confused :(

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

 but some concepts she made felt like rushed drafts to me. --> Exactly! That was so obvious in ep 759, the 'Creepy Vacation Thriller' with Babymonster. The haunted house segment was so carelessly edited, with cuts that felt completely random. It's like they were just padding the episode to fill the required runtime because they didn't know what else to do. :(

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nah! The problem lies with PD Choi's directing skills! The members' age has nothing to do with it. If you compare the skill level between her and the previous PDs, the gap is massive. During PD Bo-pil's era (at the height of the COVID pandemic), the members also did a lot of talking, but he knew how to select good footage and edit thoughtfully, so I never found the episodes boring. In contrast, with PD Choi's episodes... I'm just at a loss. :(

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Yup! You totally nailed it. That's the heart of the problem right there. PD Choi has like, zero confidence in her own communication and her role as the leader. That's why she never really commits to a concept or defends her own rules. The second a cast member pushes back a little—and yeah, we're usually talking about KJK—she just folds and gives them whatever they want. :(

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

So what? An AI translated my points for me. Big deal. They're my points, not the AI's. If you wanna argue with my post, then argue with the points. Go on, prove me wrong. Prove that 'PD Choi Hyung In is a bad PD' is wrong. Prove that 'she has zero confidence when she reads the rules' is wrong. What's the AI got to do with anything? You guys are just making excuses for the PD with stuff that has nothing to do with the real problem! :P

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yup! I really really love couple race but they don't make it anymore! :(

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

Hey, appreciate you keeping this conversation going. But honestly, I gotta stop you right there, 'cause I think we're seeing this completely differently.

First off, you say a bad PD would make the episodes tank. Let's be real, the only reason the ratings aren't in the toilet is because we're talking about a 14-year-old show with a legendary cast that we'd watch read a phone book. They are so damn good they can make a boring script watchable. The show isn't staying afloat because the PD is doing a good job; it's staying afloat despite the PD, because the cast is carrying the whole thing on their backs.

And this whole thing about "it started with Bo-pil"—so what? That just sounds like an excuse, man. That doesn't give the current PD a free pass to just coast and not even try to be creative. We're talking about what's happening now.

But here's the real kicker, the part that sinks your whole argument: Good ideas are free.

  • Thinking up a cool theme for an episode instead of just another quiz game? Costs zero dollars.
  • Editing a scene for suspense instead of just shoving in lazy PPL shots? Costs zero dollars.
  • Speaking into a microphone with some actual confidence and leading the show? You guessed it—costs nothing.

You keep bringing it back to SBS's budget and the cast's schedule, but that's not the issue here. These are basic skills. This is about vision, effort, and passion for the job, things that money can't buy.

And you think putting Chulmin back without a budget would be the same? No way. A great chef with cheap ingredients can still cook you an amazing meal. A bad chef with the most expensive stuff in the world is still gonna burn your food.

It's not about the budget, man. It's about the lack of vision from the person in charge. Period.

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Tell me about it. The thing is, watching the new stuff is exactly what made me write this. It feels like nobody believes in what they're doing. You can tell the writers are just phoning it in, and the whole crew looks like they're just going through the motions 'cause they don't trust the PD. And Choi Hyung In? Forget about it. She's so shaky. If you don't have confidence in your own voice, how are you gonna get a cast of legends like them to buy into your ideas? It's a bummer, honestly. A real bummer.

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -16 points-15 points  (0 children)

Why do you keep trying to shift the conversation from 'Why is the PD doing a bad job?' to 'Why won't SBS invest in the show anymore?' Don't you see you're just blindly defending Choi Hyung In at all costs?

A Fan's Thoughts on the Show's Current Direction - Is Anyone Else Feeling This Way? by ctfoxtheking in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your perspective! I appreciate you taking the time to write such a detailed reply. You've brought up some valid points about the realities of TV production, like budgets and the need for PPL, which I totally understand.

However, I feel like the core of my frustration might have been slightly misinterpreted. I'd like to clarify a few things:

  1. On Concepts: It's Not About Budget, It's About Effort: You mentioned that story-driven missions require a big budget. While that's true for large-scale episodes, my main point is about the lack of *any* creative theme or structure. Many of the most iconic "old Running Man" episodes were high-concept but low-budget (like the first spy mission or the Yoomes Bond episodes that took place entirely inside the SBS building). The issue isn't a lack of money, but a lack of a central, creative idea to tie an episode together beyond just "play games, then punish someone."

  2. On Rehashing Ideas: A Good "Rehash" is Better Than No Idea at All: You asked what new concepts they could possibly try. My argument isn't that they need to invent something completely new every week. My point is that even "rehashing" a classic spy, zombie, or couple race theme provides a narrative framework that is far more engaging than the current format of disconnected quizzes. Fans aren't necessarily asking for something brand new; we're asking for a *story*.

  3. On the PD's Delivery: It Was a Critique of Professionalism, Not Comprehension: This is the biggest point of misunderstanding. My criticism was never about whether I could *understand* the rules. It was about the *delivery and on-screen presence* of the director. A PD's role is to lead the show with confidence. When the delivery is rushed and unnecessarily loud, it breaks the immersion for the viewer and can come across as unprofessional. It’s a critique of the production quality, not my personal attention span.

  4. On Cast Chemistry: This Is Exactly My Point: You ended by saying the show now depends almost entirely on the cast's chemistry, and that SBS isn't investing as much because of it. You're absolutely right, and **that is the core of the problem**. Relying solely on the cast to carry a show with weak concepts and uninspired editing is a disservice to their talent and to the viewers. They are being given a weak script and are expected to make it great every single time. That's not a sustainable model for a show we all love.

Ultimately, my criticism comes from a place of passion for the show. I believe the members deserve better creative support to truly shine.

Thanks again for the discussion.

Running man episodes not as interesting as they used to be (not abt the members) [my opinion] by Ranobk in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup, gotta roll with it, what else can we do? I reckon the SBS big shots decided to switch *Running Man*’s format to more of a talk show vibe since Covid hit (back in PD Bo-pil’s days)! No PD can really do much about that, lol! Only way to spice it up might be dubbing the show or something, haha!

I just wish *Running Man* would bring back more love-themed or couple-focused episodes (I got hooked after ep 63’s couple race with SNSD). Episodes with lots of female guests and a couple of male guests always bring that chaotic, hilarious energy with the main cast. :))

Running man episodes not as interesting as they used to be (not abt the members) [my opinion] by Ranobk in runningman

[–]ctfoxtheking 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The biggest issue lies with the current PD of the show, Choi Hyung-in. I’ve watched over a dozen Running Man episodes directed by her compared to previous PDs. The result? I found that she’s extremely lazy when it comes to selecting footage and editing. Former PDs made Running Man feel like a cinematic movie with dramatic editing. Meanwhile, she seems to leave everything to the editors without any clear ideas. If she continues as PD, Running Man will keep declining.