"Running Man" is at the center of controversy after it was reported that two of its main cast members, Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook, have been dropped from the show. This became a big issue because it was so sudden and the artists involved were not informed about their removal from the program.
It was said that Song Ji Hyo only learned that she was dismissed from "Running Man" through the media. Apparently, this is the same case with Kim Jong Kook.
The news created backlash and fans of the show were enraged. The producers of the show were bashed and many people commented that the production team did not show any respect to the fired artists who have been mainstays of "Running Man" for almost seven years.
Due to the chaos and adverse reactions created by the news of Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook's removal from the program, the producers of "Running Man" immediately called for an emergency meeting. All the cast members of the program including Ji Hyo and Joong Kook attended the assemblage.
The meeting was held on Dec. 16, a few hours after the management issued apologies to the fired members. Sports Today reported that during the meeting, the future of the show has been discussed, with everyone giving their own opinions regarding the issue.
After hours of discussion, it was revealed that everyone decided to just end the show. It was further disclosed that it Ji Hyo and Joong Kook are returning to the show so that "Running Man" will end with all of the six members intact.
"We arranged for an emergency meeting for all the cast members and the production staff," Sports Kyungyang quoted Running Man's PD Lee Hwan Jin as saying. "After talking it over, we came to a decision that ‘Running Man' will wrap up by the end of February with all the six members ."
Meanwhile, it was initially planned that the show will be given a make-over and it will be relaunched as "Running Man" Season 2. Apparently, this plan has been scrapped as well due to the controversy.
