Running Man cancelled: Here's what really led to Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo firing controversy

SBS' variety show Running Man will be going off air early next year after a successful seven-year run, and one of the reasons for the show's cancellations is the way Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo was fired from the show.

According to Koreaboo, Running Man will be permanently shut down in February 2017 and the final few episodes will feature the reunion of the cast. Running Man grabbed headlines earlier this week after it was reported that Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo were fired from the show without notice. They reportedly came to know about the firing through media reports.

Running Man producer Jung Cheol Min recently released a statement to give his version of the story, blaming lack of communication to be the main reason for the controversy.

"There was a problem in the way we communicated," he was quoted as saying by Koreaboo. "Before we could even say 'What's going on' the situation got out of hand and misunderstandings had developed. We were discussing multiple styles of formatting change and due to a lack of communication, things got out of control and the unthinkable happened. We used to be like family but now things are awkward between us. Even during the meeting today we were all saying 'Why has it come to this?'"

Song Ji Hyo's agency released a statement to announce that she will be a part of the show till February. "They decided to stay on the show until February... The relationship with SBS is awkward right now but that's a problem with the SBS producers. She wants to do her duty and stay loyal to the members of Running Man. She wishes to end things on a good note," noted the agency.