In a stunning on-air revelation, Running Man star Kim Jong Kook officially announced his upcoming wedding during the August 31st episode of the popular SBS variety show. The surprise news left the cast members visibly shocked, especially as the groom-to-be chose the filming day to personally break the story to each member.
“It’s happening. I’m getting married,” Kim Jong-kook shared during the segment titled “The More You Spend, the More Luck You Get!”. The longtime bachelor emphasized his intent to reveal the news himself before it hit the press to avoid any unintended fanfare or banner surprises from his fellow members.
When fellow cast member Ji Suk Jin humorously asked if the bride was someone they knew, Kim Jong-kook coolly responded, “No, she’s not someone you know,” confirming that his fiancée is a non-celebrity. When asked if she liked working out, Kim Jong-kook replied, “She’s completely different from me. As long as she doesn’t stop me from exercising, that’s enough.”
Adding another twist to the already emotional moment, Kim revealed that Yoo Jae Suk, often dubbed the “Nation’s MC,” would be officiating the ceremony—an invitation he extended on the very day of the announcement. Yoo, visibly taken aback, nonetheless expressed his support, saying, “I’ll rearrange my filming schedule. I’ll do it with class—don’t worry.”
Guest stars Jang Dong Yoon and Kim Ah Young were equally stunned by the news, learning about it during their appearance on the episode. Earlier on August 18th, Kim Jong Kook had shared a handwritten letter with fans declaring, “I’m finally getting married.” He added that the wedding would be an intimate affair attended only by close family and friends.
The wedding is set for September 5th, marking a new chapter for the 49-year-old singer and TV personality known for his stoic image and years of on-screen teasing over his bachelorhood.
Meanwhile, according to Nielsen Korea on September 1st, SBS’s variety program Running Man, which aired on August 31st, saw an increase in ratings compared to the previous week, recording a 2049 (viewers aged 20~49) viewership rating of 1.9% and ranking first among variety shows in its time slot. The program’s peak minute rating soared to 5.5%. (Based on metropolitan household standards)
Sources: Daum, Naver, Nate
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