SBS channel’s Running Man is a beloved TV entertainment program, there is no doubt about it. Over the past decade and a half of being on air, though, the program has gotten a fair share of backlash from viewers in Korea and worldwide. Here are some of the biggest controversies that Running Man‘s production team and/or cast found themselves in.
2024
In July of 2024, actress Ji Yea Un (also known as Ji Ye Eun) found her social media comments flooded with hate from Running Man viewers for “guesting on the show too often” and “threatening actress Song Ji Hyo‘s position on the show as the only female cast member.” Ji’s flirtatious personality, sparking chemistry with actor Kang Hoon, also didn’t sit right with some viewers expressing hate.
Popular Actress’s Flirty Interaction With “Running Man” Member Draws International Backlash
2023
In June 2023, Song Ji Hyo, too, was subjected to criticism from Running Man viewers. After an episode aired, some thought the actress wasn’t putting enough effort into the program as she was seen “watching her cast rather than participating.” Her reluctance led to some even demanding the actress be removed from the program.
Song later talked about it on a YouTube show with Yoo Jae Suk and admitted that it was a rough time, though she took it as a chance to learn and improve.
Actress Song Ji Hyo Finally Opens Up About Criticisms Of Her “Attitude” During “Running Man”
2022
2022 was a scandalous year for Running Man. In November, a group of the program’s male cast members were called out for “bullying” comedian Ji Suk Jin. In the November 13 episode, the members took part in a race where they had to navigate through Seoul without using navigation. Throughout the race, Ji’s suggestions went disregarded and even belittled.
Running Man members teasing Ji Suk Jin had well become a regular trope on the program. After this particular episode, though, viewers expressed their discomfort with the trope. Most stated that, especially since the program is watched by children, that the trope should be discontinued.
SBS’s Variety Show “Running Man” Is Criticized And Accused Of Bullying Member Ji Suk Jin
Earlier in 2022, in July, the cast members were seen playing a game of high-stakes tag. In this episode, several cars were seen parked in parking spots reserved for persons with disabilities. While it was later revealed that the episode had been filmed on fully-reserved and fully-cleared grounds, meaning no one else had access to the parking lot anyway, some viewers argued it didn’t matter.
- “If they booked the whole lot, it means there were more than enough regular parking spaces. So why park there? Why would you broadcast a car parked in a spot reserved for persons with disabilities for no reason?”
- “Isn’t it common sense that you shouldn’t park there even if you had reserved the entire lot? You guys are really defending them on this?”
- “Doesn’t matter if they reserved the whole lot or not, what is wrong is wrong. If they get let off easy for this, they’ll keep being let off on other violations in the future.”
“Running Man” Is Hit With Criticism For Parking In Disabled Parking Space
At the beginning of 2022, in January, comedian Yang Se Chan was under fire for making actress Jeon So Min feel uncomfortable during a game of “Of Course” (also known as the dangyunhaji game). Getting competitive, Yang brought up Jeon’s past and made remarks about Jeon’s dating history with the actor ex-boyfriend.
Yang Se Chan: When you were on set for Show Window shooting a kiss scene… You thought about [censored ex-boyfriend’s name], huh?
Jeon So Min: Of… Of course! OF COURSE!
Yoo Jae Suk: Are you all right?
Yang Se Chan: C’mon, hyung! Call it a game already!
Yoo Jae Suk: Yang Se Chan wins!
Viewers gathered in the comments section of the video clip from the episode to call out on Yang’s insensitive behavior. One viewer demanded respect for the actress while commenting, “So Min never [attacks] other members this way, yet they do it to her.”
“Running Man” Comedian Yang Se Chan Under Fire For Making A Rude Joke About Actress Jeon So Min During A Game
2021
In an October 2021 episode, the cast members played a game where they attempted to coat the other person in a blue-colored powder using the pads in their hands. Things got heated quickly and, not too far into the game, cast members started getting really pounded—convincing the viewers that the game was much too violent, making them uncomfortable watching.
The production team was criticized for their choice in games as well as potential neglect toward how the games may affect the cast. Some expressed that the production team should have made sure the pads would not pose any physical harm. Many said that using powder makes it dangerous by itself.
“Running Man” Under Fire For Making The Cast Play A “Violent And Dangerous” Game
2020
The 2021 blue powder game might have been extra upsetting to the viewers as Running Man had faced backlash for such dangerous games in 2020, too.
In November, the production team was lambasted for putting the cast members—and guesting SEVENTEEN members—at risk of serious injuries. The game required players to place as many rubber bands around their faces as possible. Viewers pointed out how “dangerous and reckless” the rubber band game had been, heavily criticizing that one wrong snap could have cost them their eyes. The viewers shared their concerns for not only the members and guests, but also the younger viewers who watch the show. One viewer snapped:
Kids watch Running Man all the time. Does the production team even realize what hazardous trend they may have started? PLEASE GET YOURSELVES TOGETHER and make smart decisions. Remember you’re on national television. Remember you’re all over the internet. Remember children copy what they see. Remember the influence and the responsibility that comes with your program.
— Concerned Viewer
“Running Man” Under Heavy Fire For Making The Members And Idol Guests Play “A Recklessly Dangerous Game”
And, perhaps, the bullying concerns in 2022 stemmed from an episode in 2020 as well. In an episode from February 2020, the cast members pushed for a “love line” or a hint of romance between Ji Suk Jin and Jeon So Min—making viewers to grow largely uncomfortable. When vocalist Kim Jong Kook brought up that Ji Suk Jin has a sticker picture of Jeon So Min pasted on his car dashboard, the cast members took the opportunity and ran with it.
While such love interests were common developments on Running Man, viewers believed the cast members crossed the line because Ji Suk Jin is a married man. Viewers also commented, in an online discussion that followed the episode, that Ji Suk Jin seemed clearly uncomfortable with the cast members “framing” him in a “forbidden romance” with Jeon So Min — especially as he tried to explain multiple times that the car isn’t exactly his.
Popular TV Show “Running Man” Upsets Viewers With “Over-The-Line” Jokes On Comedian Ji Suk Jin
2019
Singer Haha and Jeon So Min had built a solid friendship through Running Man over the years. And while the friendship was adored, viewers held high expectations for there to be no lines crossed. So, when Haha made a public comment on Jeon So Min’s Instagram about her appearance, he was slammed for being disrespectful.
In September 2019, Haha poked fun at Jeon So Min’s bare-facedness and pointed out that she should consider wearing make-up. Running Man fans argued that the comment was detrimental to the effort being made in the Korean society, trying to mature into one that is more accepting of everyone’s beauty as is.
Haha Is Under Fire For Leaving This “Rude” Comment On Jeon So Min’s Instagram
In a June 2019 episode, the Running Man production team used a caption—“Tap” and “Ugh” to be exact—referencing the Park Jong Chul torture incident which lit the fuse of the South Korean democratization movement back in 1987.
Political activist, Park Jong Chul was tortured by the police using water and electricity which ultimately led to his death. And in efforts to conceal this incident, the police stated, “When we tapped the desk, Park Jong Chul went ‘ugh’ and collapsed to his death.”
The referencing of this incident in an unrelated moment of an entertainment program elicited heavy criticism among viewers. In response to the controversy, a staff of Running Man stated, “We only used it as a satire and didn’t mean to reference that incident. If this caused discomfort in our viewers, we’ll make sure to be more careful from now on.”
SBS’s “Running Man” Heavily Criticized for Insensitive Captioning in Their Most Recent Episode
2018
In May 2018, model-turned-entertainer Lee Kwang Soo was caught on camera referring to a guest, AOA‘s Hyejeong, as a “gold digger” after being paired with her for an episode of “Zombie Couple’s Race” game.
Although the caption was tweaked to read, “Fraudster,” the viewers were disappointed in both Lee and the production team for letting the scene air at all. In fact, viewers argued that the tweak in the caption indicated that the production team was aware of the usage of the phrase “gold digger” and its implications but chose not to edit it out.
Later, the production director of Running Man issued an apology through an interview with a reporter, promising to be more cautious.
2016
In December 2016, Running Man faced what remains its biggest scandal—big enough to almost have gotten the program canceled forever.
On December 13, 2016, it was first announced that Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook would be leaving Running Man. The agencies of the two celebrities released vague statements at first, but it was soon revealed that the two were caught off-guard, being “kicked off” the program without notice. It was reported that Song Ji Hyo did not even know she was being removed from the program until after media reported on it.
[★BREAKING] Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook were kicked out of Running Man, without being told
Then, on December 15, 2016, amid the intense backlash from the viewers for the shocking attempt to remove two cast members from the program, SBS announced its plan to cancel Running Man. The last episode was said to air in the first week of January 2017. This said “last episode” was to bring back Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook, too, out of respect for the friendship built on the program.
To show the strength of friendship that was built over 7 years and thinking of the fans who supported Running Man for such a long time I think we have to show them the best finale possible.
— Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook
After the episode aired in January 2017, however, SBS called off the cancellation and said Running Man will continue with all members as usual. This was after weeks of teasing the end of the show.
Running Man will continue to air with all the members in place!
Due to the overwhelming sadness of both Korean and International fans over the end of Running Man, SBS and the six members have decided to continue the Running Man series.
SBS’s Chief of Headquarters, Nam Seung Yong, who originally created the show Running Man in 2010 has been meeting with the cast members since the beginning of the year to have deep conversations [about Running Man].
Through these conversations, he apologized to the members over and over again for the incidents that happened during the re-formatting of the show. The six members agreed to stay on the show [after these discussions].
— SBS
[★BREAKING] Running Man Is Officially Uncancelled
2015
In an April 2015 episode, Ji Suk Jin was caught on camera smoking an e-cigarette indoor. Behind the cast members playing pool, Ji was spotted puffing out a cloud of smoke. When the episode aired, and the viewers called out the behavior, the production team admitted to having failed to edit it out and apologized. The production team also noted, “Ji Suk Jin must have not been aware that the cameras were rolling. He is not one to smoke in front of the cameras.”
2012
In October 2012, Wonder Girls‘ Yubin found herself in a dangerous situation while playing a vaulting horse game alongside the Running Man cast members. Although the incident was edited out, photos and videos uploaded by the Korean audience present at the shoot went viral. In the footage, as Yubin falls, Yoo Jae Suk, Gary, and Lee Kwang Soo rush in to prevent the vaulting horse from falling on the girl group member.
In response to the concerns from those who witnessed the incident, a representative from JYP Entertainment stated to Star News, “Yubin was not injured. The members of ‘Running Man’ showed great chivalry by throwing themselves into the situation, and thanks to their quick reflexes, Yubin was able to avoid serious injury.”
2011
What happened AFTER SCHOOL‘s Lizzy in January of 2011 might have set a precedent to what happened to Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook in 2016.
Lizzy, who was a full-fledged cast member of Running Man at the time, was kicked off the program without much explanation—all the while the production team claimed in press interviews that she had always been a “long-term guest.” There was backlash at the disrespectful process of Lizzy’s removal from the program, as well as the nonsense explanation that followed…
…but what really infuriated the viewers was when Lizzy revealed on MBC‘s Radio Star that she suffered depression from getting forced off the show.
I was depressed when I quit Running Man. That was one of the toughest moments in my career post-debut. I first appeared as a guest and then I ended up appearing almost every week since, so I thought I was doing a good job. But when I was kicked from the show, there were articles that said I was just a long-term guest, not a regular member of the show.
The saddest part of it all was when people started asking me if I got booted off the show. I would just tell them that I had to step down because I was going to work on a sitcom. I think I took it extra hard because Running Man was the first program that I started doing regularly. So, yeah. It was very tough. But I’m OK now. Time heals all.
— Lizzy
