Korean actress Jeon So-min is leaving long-running variety show Running Man after six years to focus on acting, her management agency says. The 37 year-old will film her final episode of the show, produced by Korean TV network SBS, on October 30.
“After long discussions between the cast members, producers and the agency, it was decided that she needed some time off to recharge and focus more on acting, among other activities,” the agency, King Kong by Starship, said on October 23.
“We sincerely thank viewers for sending so much love and giving so much attention to Jeon So-min. Please continue to support her future activities.”
SBS confirmed Jeon’s departure from the show. “We sincerely thank Jeon So-min for making Running Man shine brighter during her time on the show,” it said. The network added that it hasn’t decided on Jeon’s replacement yet.
From November, the show will continue with its remaining six members: Yoo Jae-suk, Ha Ha, Ji Seok-jin, Kim Jong-kook, Song Ji-hyo and Yang Se-chan.
Jeon – along with comedian Yang – became regular members of Running Man in April 2017, and she has since entertained viewers with her quirky charm. The actress quickly bonded with the original cast and showed great chemistry with them.
The show sees regular cast members and guests compete to complete various missions.
During her time on Running Man, Jeon faced numerous hateful comments from Korean and overseas fans. In 2020, the online comments section for Running Man was shut down because of excessive criticism of the actress. She took a two-month break from the show on the advice of her doctor.
The actress’ family also suffered abuse from online trolls, who warned Jeon to step away from the show. Jeon’s younger brother detailed some of the malicious comments that contained threats and curses.
Jeon made her television debut in Korean broadcaster MBC’s sitcom Miracle in 2004. In 2013, she rose to fame after playing the lead role in MBC series Princess Aurora.
The actress has since appeared in several TV series, including tvN’s Top Star U-back (2018) and JTBC’s Cleaning Up (2022).
As part of the Running Man cast, she won the Rookie Award in the 2017 SBS Entertainment Awards, the Top Excellence Award in Variety category in 2018 and the Golden Content Award in 2020.
Fans were stunned by the sudden announcement on Monday.
“So-min must have a lot of things going on in her mind. I want to hug her. Here’s to finding happiness. We’ll keep running with you,” one commented on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another said: “Hearing Jeon So-min’s departure suddenly reminds me how she worked so hard despite being injured. Definitely going to miss her bickering moments with the [other cast] members.”