'Running Man' producers doused in water as punishment during the Jan. 1 episode of the SBS variety program. (Photo : YouTube/Top Korean Stars)
"Running Man" fans were devastated by the news that the fan-favorite show will be coming to an end in 2017 following the recent controversy. In the wake of the show's cancellation, the producers apologized to the fans by punishing themselves on a recent episode of the SBS variety program.
During the Jan. 1, Monday, episode of "Running Man," which was the first episode that was filmed after the controversy, the show's producers issued their first public apology over the recent controversy and the show's ensuing cancellation. During the episode, the producers announced that the show will follow a new "Members week" format, which allows cast members to decide what they would like to do during the show. Each week will focus on a different member.
All the cast members competed against each other to be the first one to assume control of the show and Song emerged as the winner. Once Song was declared as the first cast member to follow the new format of the program, she was sprayed with a water cannon as a form of ablution to kick off the new year.
After Song, the producers of the variety show also joined in and faced the water cannons. "We want to apologize," they were quoted as saying. "We will do better in the future," the producers added before being hit with a strong blast of water. There was also text displayed across the screen that read, "Running Man members, we are sorry we couldn't protect you."
The producers' apology was over the recent controversy that followed after they decided to drop Song and Kim Jong Kook from the show without informing them, as All Kpop previously reported. The producers faced backlash from the fans over their treatment of both stars and the controversy even led to entertainer Kang Ho Dong backing out of his decision to join the second season of "Running Man."
Following the debacle, the producers held an emergency meeting with the members and decided that it would be best to end the show in February, according to Soompi. Check out the producers' public apology and punishment below:
