Actress Song Ji Hyo attends the Burberry Seoul Flagship Store Opening Event on October 15, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Han Myung-Gu)
"Running Man" will soon lose one of its original cast members with the impending exit of the singer Gary. Recently, Song Ji Hyo expressed her thoughts about Gary's departure from the SBS variety show.
The SBS program "Running Man" is one of the South Korean variety shows that retained many of its original cast members. In its six-year broadcast history, the show only lost one cast member with the exit of the "Descendants of the Sun" actor Song Joong Ki in 2011. However, another member will soon say goodbye to the variety show specifically Gary.
With Gary's upcoming "Running Man" exit, cast member Song conveyed a special message for the rapper. In a press event for the actress' upcoming drama "My Wife is Having an Affair this Week," Song told reporters that she will remain as one of Gary's supportive friends.
For viewers who are worried about Song and Gary's special "Monday Couple" tandem, the actress cited previous interviews and episodes where they both declared the end of the said partnership. Song explained that she would rather consider her "Running Man" partnership with Gary as a memorable part of the show, Korean news outlet News1 quoted the actress as saying.
Meanwhile, Gary's impending exit was confirmed by the SBS show's producers on Oct. 24, Tuesday. An SBS source also told Korea Herald that the hip-hop rapper is expected to make his final appearance in the variety show on Oct. 31, Sunday.
Despite Gary's departure, showrunners have no plans to replace the musician. The SBS source commented that they will not open casting activities to find a new cast member for the show. The variety show will continue its broadcast with a six-member team comprised of Song, singer Kim Jong Kook, Haha, Ji Suk Jin, "Entourage" actor Lee Kwang Soo and comedian Yu Jae Seok.
"Running Man" airs every Sunday on SBS, while Song's new drama "My Wife is Having an Affair this Week" will premiere on Oct. 28 on JTBC. Watch the drama's teaser below:
