South Korean actress Jeon So-min will officially bid farewell to Running Man after six years of being a mainstay member.
Today, October 23, 2023, King Kong by Starship, the agency representing the 37-year-old actress, issued an official statement announcing her departure from the hit SBS variety show.
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The statement, on behalf of Jeon So-min, reads as follows (translated by Soompi): "Actress Jeon So-min will be stepping down from SBS’s Running Man following her final recording on October 30 (Monday).
"She went through great contemplation as it is a program that she has maintained a relationship with for a long time, and after long discussion with the Running Man members and production team as well as the agency, we decided that she needs some time to recharge in order to impress even further through future activities including her acting [activities].
"We sincerely express our gratitude to viewers who ran together while crying and laughing with Jeon So-min every weekend for six years since April 2017 through Running Man, and we ask for your warm affection and support for Jeon So-min going forward."
RUNNING MAN STATEMENT
In response to So-min's decision, the Running Man production team posted their own announcement, echoing the actress's plan to focus on her acting career.
It read (translated by Soompi): "We decided to respect Jeon So-min’s decision to leave after she expressed her intention to step down following lengthy discussion with the Running Man members and production team.
"Jeon So-min will be leaving Running Man following the October 30 recording.
"Although Jeon So-min ran together with Running Man for the past six years with exceptional affection and sense of responsibility, she recently conveyed her intention that she needs the time to recharge for her acting activities.
"Although the members and production team discussed long-term with Jeon So-min to find a way to stay together until the end, we respected Jeon So-min’s wishes and decided on a sad farewell."
Finally, they extended their appreciation to So-min for making the program "shine brighter" as a member of Running Man for a long time.
"We ask for warm support and encouragement from all the viewers for Jeon So-min who made a difficult decision.
"The Running Man members and production team will support Jeon So-min who will forever be a member [of Running Man]."
Running Man first aired on July 11, 2010, and has since saw the departure of its cast members Song Joong Ki in April 2011, Kang Gary in October 2016, and Lee Kwang Soo in April 2021.
So-min, alongside comedian Yang Se-chan, joined the show as new members in April 2017.
The Philippines introduced its own rendition of the show dubbed Running Man Philippines, which was broadcast on GMA 7.
It featured cast members Glaiza de Castro, Mikael Daez, Ruru Madrid, Buboy Villar, Kokoy de Santos, Lexi Gonzales, and Angel Guardian.
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