Come February next year, popular South Korean variety show 'Running Man' will end its six-year run. The decision was taken following a controversy that erupted after two of its original members were ungratefully sacked from the show. Now, as per a rumour, SBS is reportedly planning a new show which will include most of the remaining 'Running Man' cast.
Website Yibada.com states there are rumours that SBS will debut a new show in spring following the end of 'Running Man' which will probably include Yoo Jaesuk, Haha, Lee Kwangsoo, and Jo Suk Jin from the popular variety program.
The website points out that this wouldn't be the first time such a thing happened. SBS cast Yoo Jaesuk, Haha, and Kim Jong Kook in 'Running Man' after they starred together on the network's variety game show 'X-Man,' which ran from 2003 till 2007. Yoo Jaesuk and Kim Jong Kook were also both part of the comedy –variety show 'Family Outing' where the show's participants had to go stay in the house of an elderly family while they went on a vacation. The participants had to take care of the home of the owners till they came back.
If the rumour is true this will hopefully benefit the four 'Running Man' cast members mentioned above. However, it's not really surprising to not find the names of actor Song Ji Hyo and singer Kim Jong Kook in the rumour. After all, SBS recently had to face a bitter controversy due to its highly inappropriate behaviour towards the two original 'Running Man' members.
Producer-director Gong Hee Chul had decided to remove Ji Hyo and Jong Kook to replace them with comedians. Not only did the plan backfire, as evidenced from Kang Ho-dong backtracking from joining the show but Hee Chul's actions caused a lot of bad publicity for SBS. They called an emergency meeting, decided to cancel the show after February 2017 and called back Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook to remain a part of 'Running Man' till the last episode aired.
In any case, Song Ji Hyo has moved on and will launch her own beauty program with JTBC network called 'Song Ji Hyo's Beauty View.' As for Kim Jong Kook, he plans to get back to singing and is currently working on a new album with Duble Sidekick for the music band TURBO, mentions Koreaboo.
