Running Man has announced that Ji Suk Jin is going to be out indefinitely as he tries to heal from whatever issues he has concerning his health.
Hey Pinoy sports fan, this is Ji Suk Jin.
He is one of the four remaining original members of Korea's Running Man. Ji Suk Jin is also 57 years old and despite the toned-down physicality of the show with most of their members 40 years old and up, it's impressive to see Suk Jin in this situation 13 years after the show's first episode.
And while we wish Suk Jin the best, it's also important to note that this is the first time the show has had five active members. Kim Jong Kook has had bouts of gout, Yoo Jae Suk has had numerous injuries, Haha has had spinal disc surgery, and Yang Se Chan has had a DNP on the show due to health issues. Former cast members like Kang Gary, Lee Kwang Soo, and Jeon So Min are also no strangers to the show's physical demands. Even Song Ji Hyo, while not much of a physical player, has had spaced-out moments.
Yes, she's juggling the role of being an actress and a variety show member.
And yeah, if I find it hard writing a basketball show commercial after finishing writing for a Korean drama commercial, then what more for a dramatic actress trying to be funny despite not being known to be one?
I bet the reason why she cut her hair a couple of years ago is due to stress.
In terms of physical variety, the members of Hangout With Yoo are a better fit - except for Haha. With that said, they are trying hard to veer away from the physical challenges. When Running Man became less physical, Yoo Jae Suk and Ji Suk Jin thrived while Kim Jong Kook (in some ways) and Song Ji Hyo faltered. In some ways, Jeon So Min and Haha also thrived from the change with Kang Gary and Lee Kwang Soo (in some ways) losing ground. Yeah, LKS is hella funny but he also gets his laughs from physical comedy. With Kang Gary, he needs the name tag elimination game especially since he is the go-to guy when they have strong-willed physical guests.
With the temporary hiatus of Ji Suk Jin, I don't know what direction the show would be in. The members are too old for physical comedy but at the same time, making them stroll around the SBS building will probably elevate their other members.
It's going to be a band-aid solution though, as I can't see them returning to physical comedy the moment JSJ returns to the show.
Honestly, I can see the show ending and this is not a bad thing. At least they can have one last year to make one year-long hurrah. Infinite Challenge ended abruptly with a couple of their main guns missing. Park Myung Soo finished the series as the oldest and he was just 47. In some ways, Gaki no Tsukai, the Japanese show that pretty much started popularizing the genre, ended their Batsu game in 2020 - after 18 awesome editions. It's hard for a bunch of 50 and 60-year-olds to get whacked in the ass over 100 times, partaking in events like running, nudity, comedy kissing guys and girls, and doing horror episodes. Matsumoto and Hamada are already 60 years old - with Matsumoto unable to participate in running games. Kim Jong Kook is the third oldest Running Man member and at 47, he is the same age as Park Myung Soo when Infinite Challenge ended.
Six members are enough for most Korean variety shows but not with Running Man. This is a program that needs at least seven members. If there is a right time to pad the show with young blood, that time is now.