Running Man officially announces show will shutdown

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

SBS has officially announced that one of their most popular shows ever, Running Man, will shut down permanently in February 2017.

Earlier today, Koreaboo broke news that the current cast members of Running Man had met secretly to discuss leaving the show together. This meeting happened due to Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook being kicked off the show without much notice.

Rumors began to immediately emerge that Running Man would shut down due to this. Some media reported that, “On December 15th after a marathon of meetings, SBS has decided to end the show with the last episode set to air on the first week of January.”


However, one rep from SBS immediately refuted this revealing, “I haven’t heard of anything to do with shutting Running Man down. We are checking to see if any of this is true at the moment.”

Now, SBS has confirmed that Running Man will indeed shut down and no longer air starting February 2017. Season 2 has been officially canceled as well.

The statement reads as below:

“Running Man members and producers gathered together in Seoul today for an emergency meeting and overcame their misunderstandings and miscommunications.
After deep and lengthy discussion both sides decided to end the show at the end of February 2017.

However, they decided that they did not want to end the show on such a sad note so therefore decided to have all 6 members, Yoo Jae Suk, Ji Suk Jin, Haha, Lee Kwang Soo, Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook.”

— SBS Running Man

Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo also revealed new statements that they would be re-joining Running Man until the end of the show.

“To show the strength of friendship that was built over 7 years and thinking of the fans who supported Running Man for such a long time I think we have to show them the best finale possible.”

— Kim Jong Kook & Song Ji Hyo

Source: Koreaboo, Naver (from Sports Chosun)

Omona, let's use this whole mess to focus on the good things and let's talk about our fave episodes, guests and moments. Or even what you would have liked to see on the show that never happened. The end of an era.

Comments

[swegkitten.livejournal.com]

it's a well known fact that people only watched running man because of the cast and their dynamics and while this ending is v bittersweet(emphasis on the bitter) it warms my heart how the original cast and the producers together decided that no show is better than a show from which two of its members have been forcefully kicked out. seems fitting.

thank you running man for the seven years of laughter. there never will be another show or cast like this.

[violentiak.livejournal.com]

I really had a feeling they would decide to leave together. Not a shocker.

I hope they will have some fun new shows in the future.

[lysblack.livejournal.com]

LMAO at SBS shooting itself in the foot and losing their international money bag out of greed.

It's pretty obvious that the other members put their foot down and decided to walk out after the shadyness against SJH and KJK.

[showminomoney.livejournal.com]

I've only ever finished one ep, and it was the one with Kang Haneul, Hong Jonghyun, and Lee Junki. It was loads of fun. I ended up crushing really hard on HJH because, wow, he was so competent at shooting those plastic arrows at the stuffed toy targets. I was super into it.

[welljustguess.livejournal.com]

i watched that episode for LJK but HJH succeded in blocking my heart, he was really awesome with that arrow toy

[jaequeeragenda.livejournal.com]

I was obsessed with this show when it debuted but idk when i stopped watching it, maybe a couple years ago idk but it was such a fun show <3

[wafflesnmilk.livejournal.com]

I managed to live under a rock , like I'm aware of running man and all but the only episode I caught was the one with sohee(?) and that was only because it showed up on TV lol , it was a good episode though .

It's a shame the show have to go this way but it's probably for the best ? If you were to let it naturally fizzled out to it's death even at this point would take another year or two and really exhaust everyone's goodwill towards it.

[saemcrh.livejournal.com]

It's sad that the ending was caused by all this shadiness by the company, but it is truly honourable on each cast-members part to 'walk out' because of that. They could've easily just followed the paycheque, but this speaks volumes to the respect and love they have for each other and have developed over the years.

In that sense, it's a happy ending imo because they stuck together until the end.

[psharp10.livejournal.com]

i've enjoyed so many episodes and while it was getting a boring for like past year and a half or so? it was still quite enjoyable because of the cast and their chemistry ;; i'm glad they stuck together until the end and that while we had the mess with sjh and kjk being forced out, overall cancelling was the best thing to do imo

and they've all given so much to this show? p much a lot of their youth + energy has gone into all the games and activities, so i'm thankful for all that they've done and i wish them all the best (the cast tbh, not the higher ups or if any pds were involved in the mess). it does feel like an end of an era though, this whole year does - with 2ne1, kara, 4minute disbanding and now this too :(

[simplyseasalt.livejournal.com]

This really sucks. I get Running Man would have had to end some time, but I didn't want it to end this way. It's so messed up how everything came about, and that this was the result of it all.

I just saw the videos of Gary laughing at the cheesiness of the door password being 7012 and Ji Hyo's jersey number being 7012. So funny but watching it also makes me feel bitter.

What led me to stay as a viewer was the awesome teamwork and heart from the members and crew. I hope the last episode can replicate that again. Really wish they invite all the former members Lizzy, Gary, and Song Joong Ki to end it. Also bring back the former PDs and other crew members. I'd love to see one-two punch again. They only made brief appearances, but they were so funny.

I also want an apology from the one person responsible for RM's earlier end. It's only right what with the constant switches in PDs and the blindsiding of the cast members.

I feel so bleh about all of this. Ugh.

[welljustguess.livejournal.com]

ugh that gathering ending would be so nice T.T

[pseudo-shigure.livejournal.com]

i think i never miss even one ep of this show although definitely lately i just watch it out of habit. really sad that it ends like this. and KJK and SJH have such big heart to agree re-joining the show after what the higher ups did to them.

[pukingflowers.livejournal.com]

I haven't watch this for about 2 years, but I still go back often and watch the early episodes, and I realized most eps that I really love were the ones without guests.

I'm sad that this show had to end on a shitty note, but I'll hold onto the fond memories of me in my depressing mess and watching this show to cheer myself up.

[misspoirot.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh i cant believe this is happening. I was an avid fan since their 1st ep (the one with Lee Hyori?) and I really loved their first few eps (the stadium) and personally, EXO (and Kris' boxer thanks for the laugh). I jumped ship to IC recently but RM was my first K-variety and im so so sad to hear this.

[welljustguess.livejournal.com]

(https://1.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/lee-kwang-soo-dancing.gif)
^The loudest laugh part of my RM history
I cant believe SBS ever thinking of doing any of the members so dirty like that
And i'm glad they decided to finish this show instead of going for season 2.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

Those dance moves!!!!!! <3333333333333

Once in a while I watch the beginning of that episode to just laugh and it makes me feel better.

[adenar.livejournal.com]

I didn't watch a lot of Running Man but I tuned in for the 2NE1 ones. The second one was so bad because the first one was so good - the second one the girls had such long nails and weren't really competitive while the first one was just bloodthirsty. The water challenge was #iconic

[rosiemotleymind.livejournal.com]

Dara and her antenna hair and Minzy being badass as usual! What a great episode lol

[belintuchiha.livejournal.com]

One of the few shows I obsessed over, I spent hours and hours watching lots of their episodes and even if it got worse with time, I'll miss them :(

[simplyseasalt.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, there were so many favorite episodes of mine. One of my favorites is when Choi Min Soo guested. It was that one scene where it was only Ji Hyo and Choi Min Soo, and by quick decision, she went the opposite way so she wouldn't have to run into him. Then, she won. I loved that ep so much.

There was also this one episode where I think all the RM members were eliminated except Yoo Jae Suk. I don't remember if he won or not, but I think he did. Anyway, I remember him being super exhausted and sweating but still trying his best to win despite the odds being aggainst him.

There was also that boat episode where they all decided to row across and make it despite how tough it was for them.

I also loved all the moments when the RM members had to do challenges together as a group. I don't remember the episodes, but it was those times when the staff had tested it out themselves and then set requirements for the team to do the missions. Every time, with great teamwork, the RM members would shock the crew because they would pass the missions. I loved the moments when they bested the crew/staff.

There were actually so many moments I loved in Running Man. I love this show to pieces so...yeah.

My favorite guest is probably Park Ji Sung. That one episode where they first started having superpowers was so hilarious. Oh my god so funny. I liked most guests...so long as they tried to be funny or active in the games. There were some guests that weren't entertaining, but sometimes it was the writing/missions given such as all those times they did the first love concept--that concept was not missed by me at all.

As for something that I would have liked to see...an all out race with the members and crew/staff? I love that we got to know about some of them like the VJs and Dong Wan, but it would be cool if we got to see more of the staff and have all of them compete in missions and name tag races too.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

Oh god, your comment is making me cry. I'm gonna miss this show and the cast so much :(

And I agree with you about Park Ji Sung. He was such an amazing guest, must be the best one.

[4minutesluts.livejournal.com]

pledis making lizzy pull out of being a permanent member is prob one of the worst choices in the history of kpop

[toast-is-burnin.livejournal.com]

I am so sad it ended like this. I feel like RM has been on the outs for the past year or so, the episodes just drag too much and the ratings haven't been good for a while, but it's still such a shock for it to blow up like this. I'm so glad (and not surprised) that the other members were going to walk out, they all are so close. I'm hoping the last episodes will be good and end on a nice note. This show has gotten me through some rough and dark times and reminded me to laugh a lot. Thanks RM!

[ah0000.livejournal.com]

I started watching the show in maybe 213 or 2014 (but it feels like yesterday!). I remember going back, spending months on Kshowonline and making sure I watched EVERY single episode that had passed bc I wanted to see every moment between the cast. Running Man is really how I learned about Korean culture and entertainment tbh. It was my way of learning about the hottest actors and singers before I started watching dramas and listening to kpop.

The last year or so I've been kind of picking and choosing which episodes to watch bc some literally bored me to sleep but I still wasn't able to let the show go fully.

I hope that SBS pays SJH a shit ton of money for her last episodes bc what they did to her was so fuckin shitty and she's a saint for agreeing to finish off the show. I'm not shocked that the rest of the cast met together and put their foot down about this, but I honestly would not have been surprised if RM 2.0 really happened. After Happy Together I don't hold YJS in as high esteem as I previously did. Felt like he definitely could have done or said something when it happened.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

I started watching the show in maybe 213 or 2014 (but it feels like yesterday!). I remember going back, spending months on Kshowonline and making sure I watched EVERY single episode that had passed bc I wanted to see every moment between the cast. Running Man is really how I learned about Korean culture and entertainment tbh. It was my way of learning about the hottest actors and singers before I started watching dramas and listening to kpop.

This is exactly me, just changing 2013/2014 for the summer of 2012. That couple of months I watched everything and I end up being a bit obsessed with korean entertainment (for the actors and idols that were guests). U_U How much I loved the show <3 lol

[bunica1990.livejournal.com]

damn, they kicked out the best members

way to shoot yourself in the foot

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

It had a good run. Sbs shoot itself in the ass for sure.

[mellowdee.livejournal.com]

These are always one of my favorite memories. But I also gotta give it up to Gary for his amazing talent to count LOL.



Favorite episodes include:


1470.

Ep with Han Ga In for the 'First Love'. This was sooooo well done.

Both Big Bang episodes (although the first one with both parts is better because it has more of that original RM feel to it).

I love the soccer episodes too with Park Ji Sung especially when he 'took over' as the MC.

The Macao ep was super fun too - watching them bungee jump! :)

The recent Dubai episode with the ziplining!

I'm glad they will be ending the show together, especially with the departure of Gary. But dang - I'll miss seeing them on my usual Sunday routine.

[mjmjchick.livejournal.com]

OMG, the clip of KJK dunking YJS in the mud gets me every time; I cry when YJS gets fighting mad(der) at how there's no water in the hose. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[sra-interesante.livejournal.com]

its a pity they end up a show like this with a scandal ..... it was fun while it lasted :/ i guess

running man was the best variety show to know which new idols were good in variety every episode with some shinwa, 2pm, mblaq, cnblue or suju member was quality entertainment

also actors like lee boyoung, gong hyo gin, jung il woo, lee dong wook, han hye jin


but episodes without guests were my favorite also most episodes out of the country...

i guess its relief all cast members gonna leave all together at the same time :(

[jinkiestabi.livejournal.com]

SBS literally did this to themselves and now the cast members have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

I started watching the show from the beginning and all this happened right as I made it to the 200th episode, lol. Shame, because I genuinely like the show. It's given me laughs I haven't had in a long time. I wish the best for everyone and I hope they can meet again elsewhere.

[rosiemotleymind.livejournal.com]

I would say I felt bad but I'm happy that it seems like the members were like all of us or none of us. I'm sad to see the show go and I wish every cast member success after.

My favorite episode HAS to be when they're getting hunted in the amusement park by Choi Min Su. I swear I almost peed my pants with that episode it was so funny. I also really liked the Yoona and Sunny episode when the girls were super competitive and had to stamp the members. The episode with Shin Min Ah, the evil actresses episode and everything was so dramatic, the double episode with SNSD, when Gong Yoo was the guest and all he could do was laugh at how ridiculous they were lol.

The one where the cast had to make the boat was so emotional for me and I cried a lot with that one. Pretty much any episode where they had to work together to win made me happy to watch. It's crazy that this show lucked out with all the chemistry that this cast has. You can tell they're a family and I'm going to miss them.

[fabulousdoll.livejournal.com]

Gong Yoo being more busy laughing about everything that trying to do well made me love him even more, he was so adorable :D