'Running Man' cast members Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo have decided to further a good cause amid the ongoing controversy surrounding. It has been revealed that the pair will donate the salary received from their remaining appearances on the SBS variety show.
On Dec. 19, Monday, a broadcast source confirmed the news that Kim and Song will offer the earnings from their upcoming "Running Man" appearance to a charity of their choice. The decision comes days after it was confirmed that the show would be coming to an end in February 2017.
"Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo haven't decided on a concrete method or which charity to donate to," the source told Soompi. "Their decision to donate most likely arose from their feelings of gratefulness toward all viewers for their support, and also from feeling apologetic for the recent news."
Last week, it was revealed that the two stars would be leaving the program after seven years. However, it was later revealed that Kim and Song were blindsided by the producers' decision to drop them from the show and both stars found out about their sacking through media reports, according to All Kpop.
Even though the production team issued an official apology to both cast members, there was backlash from fans who expressed their anger over the show's treatment of Kim and Song. Kang Ho-dong, a popular entertainer expected to join the second season of "Running Man" also reversed his decision following the controversy.
Subsequently, the "Running man" cast and production crew called for an emergency meeting, where they clarified their misunderstandings and came to the decision that the show will air its final episode towards the end of February. Meanwhile, Kim and Song also issued official statements saying that they would be a part of the series until its end.