"Running Man" will soon bid farewell to its loyal viewers. After more than six years on-air, the SBS variety show will broadcast its final episode in February 2017.
Speculations that "Running Man" may get canceled following Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook's controversial exit have come true. Recently, the show's producing director Lee Hwan Jin told local reporters of the cast members, production team and showrunners' decision to end the show.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting to discuss the various rumors and speculations surrounding "Running Man." Held on Dec. 16, Friday, the SBS producers and its cast and crew members shared their opinions about the recent controversies, Korea Herald quoted the Lee as saying.
Lee commented that the emergency meeting also led to the clarification of misunderstandings that some of the cast and crew members may have about certain issues. After discussing how best to deal with the situation, the whole "Running Man" team decided to wrap up production by the end of February 2017.
Part of the agreement reached by the show's cast and crew members, including its producers, was to retain Song and Kim until the end of "Running Man." Despite the producers' initial decision to let them go, both celebrities will instead remain on the show to finish their nearly seven-year term alongside cast members Ji Suk Jin, Lee Kwang Soo, Yoo Jae Suk and Haha.
Song and Kim are at the center of the recent "Running Man" controversy. Many fans were disappointed with the SBS producers' failure to properly inform the two stars of their impending exit from the variety program. Kim was given notice through a phone conversation just a few days before the news became viral, while Song learned about her departure through headlines.
Several reports claimed that Song and Kim had no idea that showrunners were eyeing to replace them with new cast members. Shortly after the said reports surface, "Running Man" producers issued a statement, as obtained by All Kpop, to apologize for the way that they handled the situation.
"Running Man" released its first episode on July 2010 and is expected to air it series finale on Feb. 26, 2017. Watch a clip from the SBS variety show below: