The End Of Running Man (At Least As I Know It)

The Invincible Seven

Along with the bevy of favorite K-pop artists either quitting or losing members, the SBS variety show RUNNING MAN is also in the midst of a big upheaval. Ever since member Gary announced his departure just the other month, the group as-we-knew-it had already been compromised, and it has now been announced that  in 2017 both members Kim Jong Kook and Song Jihyo will also be leaving, to be replaced by veteran host Kang Ho Dong.
 Aw man, this is a real bummer of news for me. Running Man has always been a part of my whole K-pop experience (I first discovered it when I got into Girls Generation and everyone said "ya gotta see the Running Man show with SNSD!") and though I don't talk about it was much as I once did, it was and is still a big part of my life and I still watch it regularly, , and it's hard to see the show continuing with out the "Invincible Seven" of Jae Suk, Sukjin, JongKook, Jihyo, Gary, Haha and Kwangsoo...The dynamic of these 7 was darn near PERFECT!

But even I will admit the show hasn't always quite sparkled like it did in its early days (at its best, Running man was unbeatable for its fun, intriguing and totally exciting shows!) and I don't blame the individual members for deciding to "move on" and do other things, leaving their RM legacy intact!

 I don't know who else will be either leaving or joining, but no matter what, I'll have to check it out: this is a show that I will always have huge sentimental attachment to. And of course, if I ever get lonely and nostalgic, I'll always have those classic old episodes to watch and re-watch when I want to!

EDIT 12/19 via Koreaboo:

Well, in a move that everyone expected, the word has come down that Running Man will wrap up at the end of January. With how badly things have been handled, this is certainly no surprise. Thankfully Kim Jong Kook and Song Jihyo have decided to return to give Running Man a proper send off.

Posted by zdorama @ zdoramaagain.blogspot.com