SBS has officially announced that one of their most popular shows ever, Running Man, will shut down permanently in February 2017.
Earlier today, Koreaboo broke news that the current cast members of Running Man had met secretly to discuss leaving the show together. This meeting happened due to Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook being kicked off the show without much notice.
Rumors began to immediately emerge that Running Man would shut down due to this. Some media reported that, “On December 15th after a marathon of meetings, SBS has decided to end the show with the last episode set to air on the first week of January.”
However, one rep from SBS immediately refuted this revealing, “I haven’t heard of anything to do with shutting Running Man down. We are checking to see if any of this is true at the moment.”
Now, SBS has confirmed that Running Man will indeed shut down and no longer air starting February 2017. Season 2 has been officially canceled as well.
The statement reads as below:
“Running Man members and producers gathered together in Seoul today 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.”
— SBS Running Man
Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo also revealed new statements 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.”
— Kim Jong Kook & Song Ji Hyo
Follow the timeline of the entire controversy surrounding Running Man, from their first announcement to the shutdown below:
Running Man x Kim Jong Kook & Song Ji Hyo Controversy
Source: Sports Chosun
