Is The Longest-Running Variety Show ‘Running Man’ Coming To An End After Jeon So-min’s Departure?

“Running Man”, the longest-lasting variety show in Korea, is facing another big change in its cast lineup

‘Ace’ member Jeon So-min recently decided to stop ‘running’, leaving the cast with only 6 members, including Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Seok-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Song Ji-hyo, Haha and Yang Se-chan. “Running Man” used to have up to 8 members, but they haven’t recruited any new faces even after Lee Kwang-soo and Jeon So-min’s withdrawals.

MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” ended its 12-year journey at episode 563 in 2018, then SBS’s “Running Man” became the longest-running Korean variety show by surpassing the milestone of 563 broadcasts in 2021 and has been airing until episode 677 (October 29th, 2023). 

Of course, “Running Man” did face a crisis. In 2019, PD Jung Chul-min, who was in charge of directing the show at that time, shared, “The biggest crisis was when Gary dropped out of the show. At that time, the ratings fell from two digits to only 5%. Everyone was having a hard time”.

In the middle of the crisis, the production team made a decisive move of recruiting Yang Se-chan and Jeon So-min. After the two joined, “Running Man” recovered in terms of ratings. It reached 10% and topped the ranking chart of entertainment shows of the same time slot. 

The program faced a turning point again as Lee Kwang-soo also left in 2021, followed by Jeon So-min’s departure in 2023. However, it seems that the “Running Man” team will not immediately recruit any new members this year and plans to consider that plan more carefully.

In the case of “Running Man”, a popular program that has lasted for more than 10 years, they have already maintained a fixed amount of audience for every episode. As such, these solid fans are so familiar with a cast lineup and their bond so they tend to be sensitive when it comes to member changes.

Many long-running programs have suffered declines in ratings due to member replacements. I happened to “Infinite Challenge”, “2 Days & 1 Night”, “Non-Summit” and “I Live Alone”. 

Therefore, attention is focused on how “Running Man” team would deal with this situation. After Jeon So-min’s departure, some are even speculating, “Will it come to an end?”. Can “Running Man” survive this crisis and prove itself as the longest-lasting Korean variety show?

Source: Daum