It has been confirmed that the South Korean variety show "Running Man" will be cancelled in February 2017 following its recent controversy of firing Kim Jong Kook and Song Jihyo that left fans in shock and disbelief. However, rumor has it that SBS network is planning a new show with the remaining old cast - Yoo Jaesuk, Haha, Lee Kwangsoo, and Jo Suk Jin.
After almost seven years, SBS is shelving "Running Man" after its ratings dropped big time for the last year. Moreover, the producers were recently under fire for allegedly firing Kim Jong Kook and Song Jihyo, two of the main cast.
Kim Jong Kook and Song Jihyo claimed that they were blindsided by the producers of the show as they were not told that they will be leaving the show, but the program will undergo reformatting to pull up the ratings.
Kang Hodong reportedly declined the offer to join "Running Man" because of the controversy. Rumor has it that "Running Man" let go of Kim Jong Kook and Song Jihyo in order to welcome other comedians that will join the main cast. Kang Gary has decided to leave the show in October that has been the turning point for the producers. "Running Man" has gained popularity internationally, especially in China that it bagged a Chinese version.
Meanwhile, there are rumors that the network will debut a new show in spring after the final episode of "Running Man". However, some of the old cast will join the new show. There is a high possibility that Yoo Jaesuk, Haha, Ji Sukjin, and Lee Kwangsoo will be included in the line up for the new show.
This is not the first time that SBS did this, Yoo Jaesuk, Haha, and Kim Jong Kook were alumni of "X-Man". Yoo Jaesuk and Kim Jong Kook were also the cast of "Family Outing". These two shows previously hold the spot of "Running Man"