‘Running Man’ ends run after cast shuffle

“Running Man,” a popular show on KBFD, will come to an end in the spring after six years and seven months.

The producers had planned to replace two stars, Jong Kook Kim and Ji Hyo Song, with Ho Dong Kang. But controversy arose when producers failed to let Kim and Song know of the change before the media announced it.

Fans complained, and Kang decided not to join the show as a result of the situation. The network then canceled the show. “Running Man” airs on KBFD at 2 p.m. Saturdays.

For those planning to travel to South Korea, the weather is in the 40s to 20s and getting colder. Temperatures are expected to hit their coldest in January.

Merry Christmas.

THIS WEEKS SYNOPSES

“Perfect Bride”

Episodes 15 and 16

>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Upset at their father, Cho-rong and Da-rong go to the police station. Ki-ja makes it to the police station and learns that Jae-soon is Gab-soon’s sister.

Gab-dol confirms his suspicion of Ha-soo, then starts to stalk him and Gab-soon.

>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Jae-soon anxiously sees Geum-shik’s meetings with Da-hae increase. She brings up registering Ddol on Geum-shik’s family register.

Unable to pay the rent, Do-geum makes a run for it in the middle of the night. He is invited to Shi-nae’s house, where Ki-ja works.

“Dr. Romantic”

Episodes 7 and 8

>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Hyun-chul assigns Gi-tae as the acting director to find dirt on Doldam Hospital and Teacher Kim.

Dong-joo and In-bum run into each other at Doldam Hospital, and their meeting ends with In-bum punching Dong-joo.

>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: A man holds Seo-jung hostage with a sickle at her throat, shouting at the doctors to stop the surgery. Teacher Kim refuses to stop, disregarding the man’s threat.

Nurse Ji keeps a thorough record of all events at the hospital, and in the process, learns that Seo-jung has post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Legend of the Blue Sea”

Episodes 7 and 8

>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Having lost his memory of his time with Shim Chung in Spain, Joon-jae is bothered by her mention of the other man.

Detective Hong runs into Ma Dae-young while searching for evidence of the loan-shark murder.

>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: Shim Chung throws Joon-jae a curveball of a question — serious and sincere. Joon-jae thinks it’s strange that Mr. Nam has become unreachable and tries calling him again. To his surprise, Ma Dae-young answers Mr. Nam’s phone.

“Happy Home”

Episode 16 and 17

>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Ji-gun tells Hae-ryung he’s sorry that he loves her. Gyeong-ok blames Hae-ryung’s crass behavior for all the problems. Hae-ryung tells Kyong-ok that she can’t do anything when she leaves.

>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: When Gyeong-ok accuses Hae-ryung of crassness, Hyun-ki declares he’ll live with Hae-ryung. Hae-ryung tells Hae-won she’s left home and will divorce. Hae-ryung and Ji-gun become closer.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD-TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.