Running Man loses two more cast members, plans reset with Kang Ho-dong

127 December 14, 2016December 13, 2016

Running Man loses two more cast members, plans reset with Kang Ho-dong

by girlfriday

Song Ji-hyo, Kim Jong-kook

Perhaps the writing was already on the wall with the departure of Kang Gary last month, but now it looks like SBS’s Sunday night variety standby Running Man may be coming to an end, at least in the format that we’ve come to know and love. It has been confirmed that two more cast members will be leaving the show: Actress Song Ji-hyo (This Week, My Wife Will Have an Affair) and singer Kim Jong-kook will say goodbye to the series at the end of this year, and in their wake, producers are planning to overhaul the show’s concept and relaunch with a Season 2 in 2017. The biggest change will be in potential new member Kang Ho-dong (A Hyung I Know), who is currently in talks to join the cast.

The remaining members of Running Man—Yoo Jae-suk, Haha, Lee Kwang-soo, and Ji Suk-jin—will stay on, and there’s talk of looking for more people to join the second season. Yoo Jae-suk and Kang Ho-dong haven’t shared a show since X-Man (2003-2007), which a good portion of the Running Man staff also worked on, so there’s a certain level of curiosity and interest in their reunion alone.

Yoo Jae-suk, Kang Ho-dong
Haha, Lee Kwang-soo, Ji Suk-jin

But it’s usually not a good sign when a show gets a facelift and attempts to hang on to former glory, though I’d argue that Running Man already lost its sheen a long time ago. Ratings that used to be in the teens have been down to the 6% range lately, and though I was one of those faithful viewers who’d seen every episode from the start, I stopped watching it altogether at the beginning of 2016.

Even though I haven’t checked back with the show in a while, it still makes me sad to think of a Running Man without the Monday Couple and Spartakooks; but seven years is a long time to be part of a weekly variety show. There’s no telling what the second season will look like (will there even be any running?), but I’ll at least tune in to say goodbye to the version of Running Man that I remember fondly.

Song Ji-hyo and Kim Jong-kook will shoot their last episode of Running Man on December 19, and Season 2 will begin in 2017.

Via TV Report, News Culture

127

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51 meowingme

December 14, 2016 at 6:07 PM

Am totally flabbergasted with this article, and the subsequent info about "kicking" instead of "leaving". This is such a sad note to end a much loved variety show! I don't get how this kind of decision is taken, aren't they suppose to appeal to the fans/viewers to get good rating? Whoever it is that make this decision, they are so shooting themselves in them foot, especially if it is true that Kang Ho-dong declined the offer already.
And this happened right after episode where the cast and staff bonded so much, like, whaat. Sometimes feel so jaded with show business; looks so fine on the surface with all the dirty backstabby politics happening behind...
*crying in the corner for the Running Man that wasn't anymore

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52 annflln

December 14, 2016 at 8:08 PM

I learned about their departure yesterday via soompi. But I didn't know that the decision was actually made by the production team. I do understand SJH has to balanced her acting career with RM appearance as well as KJK health issues and both of them might consider their departure from some time earlier. But, it was so hurtful to learn that SBS and RM's PD make unilaterally decision to kick them out first.

I agree with many commenters, they should be cut RM and make a new show altogether. Adding KHD to the show seems like a questionable move.

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53 Rach

December 14, 2016 at 8:38 PM

What sad news. And then to find out they didn't even bother telling Song Ji Hyo before releasing the news? That's just ridiculous, and really makes me angry. I starting watching Running Man because of Kim Jong Kook, and kept watching because of Song Ji Hyo, so this is definitely the last nail in the coffin for me watching Running Man.

I find it interesting and gratifying that, although he initially accepted their offer, Kang Ho Dong has changed his mind and declined, I'm assuming because of all the negative press regarding the way SBS and RM handled things. To be honest, I kind of hope some of the rest of the cast will quit in solidarity. Especially Lee Kwang Soo, since he is particularly close to both Ji Hyo and Jong Kook. Next Monday's episode is going to be hella depressing to film I bet.

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Alessar

December 15, 2016 at 7:19 AM

Clearly the man knows how to not step in poop. Backing out/saying he didn't accept the offer is a smart move.

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54 Mong fan

December 14, 2016 at 11:42 PM

anybody wondering why dramafever is so silent about this issue?

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Wag-a-muffin

December 15, 2016 at 9:44 AM

Raises Hand. . .

I was thinking this today.
That, (and the fact that the new Roku DramaFever app REEKS makes me dislike them even more.)

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55 Jat

December 15, 2016 at 5:01 AM

I agree the show need a drastic change in terms of the member but how could they do that to spartace. Just like they revive 2 days 1 night with members change.

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56 chi

December 15, 2016 at 7:28 AM

they must change the title of the show, i dont want RM without its original members.

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57 Rhubarb

December 15, 2016 at 8:45 AM

Besides the obvious, I am shocked that right on the heels of Gary's fancy departure they weren't going to do a better job of having a farewell shows for them. It seems like Gary's departure was announced and then they had two shows regarding that. Even if they told them in a proper fashion that December 19 would be their last filming date, that is not hardly any time at all to film goodbye stuff for them. And now it makes it super awkward to reminisce about anything. If the show continues to be watchable, I hope it's not awkward like MuDo, where they struggle with mentioning past events (though most of those guys had scandals instead of just being let go.)

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58 7012

December 15, 2016 at 4:22 PM

they're trying to copy what the other variety show did to save their show. what they don't know is that Running man was loved because of it's member. They don't know the true value of their artist. No consideration to Running man fans.

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Hana

December 15, 2016 at 4:25 PM

Yeah. You're right. They don't know what they did.

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Kurochan

December 15, 2016 at 4:33 PM

I was addicted to Running man because of their funny antics. Recently even the show became boring (due to editing, change of pd) I was still able to watch it because of the cast. Why did they do that?

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59 camera

December 15, 2016 at 4:27 PM

they thought they can fool us by saying that Spartace decided to leave because of other priorities. Hell no! Im really thankful to that Tiny guy for spilling the truth.

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yum

December 15, 2016 at 4:36 PM

I find it really weird when they say that ji hyo decided to leave. Especially after that letter she wrote to Kang Gary in his last episode. It's as if saying that she has mo plans to leave running man! ( I take for granted the thinking that we will stay together until I don't know when) something like that

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60 hugo

December 15, 2016 at 4:30 PM

Being greedy doesnt take you anywhere SBS!! They thought they hit a jackpot by scoring Kang Ho Dong. And lying to us, the loyal fans? They will go downhill.

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61 zhaiho

December 16, 2016 at 12:49 AM

It's over. Running man's only until feb..

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62 ObsessedMuch

December 16, 2016 at 1:52 AM

Update- RM to end in Feb. Apparently all the cast members met secretly and then SBS cancelled the show.. Such a shameful end to such a wonderful show.

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63 Bety

August 29, 2017 at 2:11 PM

I used to watch running man bcuz of jihyo I stopped since new member came

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