Goodbye Running Man: Korea’s top show to shutdown in Feb 2017

SEOUL — Here’s one more reason why 2016 is turning out to be the worst year ever.

Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) has officially announced that Running Man ­— one of their most popular shows — is ending permanently in February next year.

It all started after news broke of the shocking exit of the South Korean variety show’s two hosts, Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo.

Several reports claimed that the duo were blindsided with SBS’ decision to let them go.

The Yibada website reported that Kim only received notice of his impending exit through a phone conversation while Song learned that she was being kicked-off from Running Man through news headlines.

The producers later apologised to Song and Kim in a statement, saying the “unexpected news reports about the overhaul” were published before they could communicate with the cast.

This did not help much, however, as rumours that the show was ending soon emerged with reports claiming the remaining cast of the show were enraged by the ‘insensitive’ manner in which SBS handled Song and Kim’s exit — prompting the showrunners to hold an emergency meeting with them.

SBS was quoted by South Korean entertainment website Koreaboo as saying in a statement: “Running Man members and producers gathered together in Seoul on Sunday (Dec 18) for an emergency meeting and overcame their misunderstandings and miscommunications.

“After deep and lengthy discussion both sides decided to end the show at the end of February 2017.

“However, they decided that they did not want to end the show on such a sad note so therefore decided to have all 6 members, Yoo Jae Suk, Ji Suk Jin, Haha, Lee Kwang Soo, Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook.”

According to Koreaboo, Kim and Song have since revealed that they would be re-joining Running Man until the end of the show: “To show the strength of friendship that was built over 7 years and thinking of the fans who supported Running Man for such a long time I think we have to show them the best finale possible.”

Running Man debuted on July 2010, and is watched by millions from across the globe including Malaysia and Singapore. MALAY MAIL ONLINE