SBS’s variety show Running Man captivated weekend viewers with the appearance of national judo team members Kim Min-jong and Kim Ha-yoon, maintaining its firm lead in the coveted 2049 ratings slot. The episode aired on August 24 scored a 1.8% rating in the Seoul metropolitan area’s 2049 demographic, according to Nielsen Korea, ranking first among shows in its time slot. Peak minute ratings soared as high as 4.7%, proving its hot popularity.
At the end of the show, a shocking teaser was revealed—Kim Jong-kook’s wedding announcement. On next week’s episode, Kim Jong-kook will formally announce his upcoming marriage, leaving both his castmates and fans stunned. However, due to viewers’ expectations, the full members’ reaction is broadcast in the teaser.
Facing the camera with a confident smile, Kim declared, “I’m getting married. I’ll live my life diligently.” The show didn’t hold back either—playfully labeling the segment with the caption, “Bachelor Kim Jong-kook is getting married.”
The news came as a shock even to his closest colleagues. Co-star Haha, overwhelmed with emotion, jokingly malfunctioned in his reaction, exclaiming, “I’m tearing up.” Yoo Jae-suk added to the humorous chaos, revealing that he felt “betrayed” after learning about the wedding only recently. “I just found out today,” he laughed. Fellow member Ji Suk-jin echoed the sentiment, noting that even he read about it the morning of the recording.
Kim, known for his low-key nature and dislike of unnecessary fanfare, confessed he had planned to announce it quietly. Yet, his nervous demeanor and sweat-soaked face revealed how monumental the moment truly was for him.
“There are still many people who can’t believe it,” Yoo Jae-suk noted, adding that even the production crew was left speechless by the news.
On August 18, Kim posted a handwritten letter on his official fan café, emotionally sharing the news: “I always thought I’d write a letter like this one day, and now that I am, I’m more nervous than I imagined. I’m getting married.”
Marking his 30th year in the entertainment industry, Kim reflected on the milestone: “I didn’t release the album I wanted to make, but I found my better half instead.”
Though his bride remains a non-celebrity and the wedding is set to be held privately, this announcement on Running Man offered fans a rare, emotional glimpse into Kim Jong-kook’s personal life—one he’s kept closely guarded for decades.
The Running Man family may not have known ahead of time, but their genuine reactions spoke volumes about the bond they share with the man who’s finally stepping into a new chapter of life.
Sources: OSEN
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