“Running Man” Celebrates 500 Episodes! —

By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa.com
Apriil 27, 2020

Congratulations are in order for “Running Man,” which celebrated it’s 500th episode on SBS.

Jeon So-Min, who is taking a short break from the series while she recovers from exhaustion, was there in spirit. Or, rather, in the form of a cardboard cutout that her castmastes kinda-sorta interacted with.

Kim Jong-Kook teased that she must be lonely watching them on TV rather than being there with them. “This is the special 500th episode,” he said. “Imagine how she must feel.”

The other cast members joined in the conversation, saying how they kept in touch with their friend. The two eldest members of the show, Yoo Jae-Suk and Ji Suk-Jin, warned the others that they should only call her when they have time to chat, because she wanted to catch up and talk. A lot!

The 500th episode included five very special guests: Bomi and Chorong (Apink); Choi Yoo-Jung (Weki Meki); Chungha; and Mijoo (Lovelyz).

Facts:

Premiere date: July 11, 2010

Original cast: Yoo Jae-Suk, Ji Suk-Jin, Haha, Kim Jong-Kook, Lee Kwang-Soo, Kang Gary and Song Joong-Ki. Song Ji-Hyo — who had been an early guest on the variety series — joined as a full-time cast member in Episode 7. Song Joong-Ki left the show in 2011 to concentrate on his acting career. And Kang left the series in 2016 to start a family and work on his music career. (He’s currently on “The Return of Superman” with his adorable two-year-old son, Ha-Oh.) The last two to join the series are Jeon So-Min, who was a guest on Episodes 224 and 343, and comedian Yang Se-Chan. The two youngest members of the cast (Yang is a bit younger than Jeon) became regulars as of Episode 346 in April 2017.

Controversy: In December 2016, it was announced that Song Ji-Hyo and Kim Jong-Kook were leaving the series. The producers implied that it was a mutual decision, but the statements released by the stars implied otherwise. Kim had gotten a few weeks notice that there would be some shakeups — but being leaving the show hadn’t been mentioned. Song found out the way her fans did — from the Korean news reports. Their fans didn’t take the news well. The controversy was so extreme that SBS announced that they would end the series In February 2017. Both Song and Kim agreed to remain on the series until then so that the variety show could end on a high note. In the end, SBS decided not to cancel the series, which made some netizens wonder whether this hadn’t all been a publicity stunt to draw more interest in the series.

Famous guests: Besides snaring Korean superstar guests such as Gong Yoo, IU and BTS, “Running Man” also got western superstars like Tom Cruise and Ryan Reynolds to appear on the show.

Guests who’ve appeared on “Running Man” the most often: Actress Kang Ha-Na holds the record with 20 appearances. Trot singer Hong Jin-Young (who shares a loveline with Kim Jong-Kook) has appeared on 18 episodes. And Lee Sang-Yeob — who the cast tried to pair up with Jeon So-Min — has appeared in 15 episodes.