Kim Jong Kook Stuns Running Man Cast With On-Air Marriage Announcement Leaving Song Ji Hyo in Tears

Kim Jong Kook surprised his Running Man co-stars by announcing his marriage during filming.
Song Ji Hyo had an emotional reaction, crying tears of joy upon hearing the news.
The moment offered a touching conclusion for fans who shipped the pair known as "Spartace."

The long-running puzzle of how Kim Jong Kook would break his marriage news to his Running Man family was finally solved on the August 24th broadcast, and it was every bit as dramatic and heartwarming as fans could have hoped for.

In a moment that completely stunned the tight-knit cast, the legendary "Tiger" himself, Kim Jong Kook, chose the show's filming on August 18th as the setting for his monumental announcement. The members, who have been by his side for over a decade, were completely caught off guard, their initial shock leading them to believe it was an elaborate prank.

The sheer seriousness in Jong Kook's demeanor, however, quickly convinced them this was the real deal. Master of Ceremonies Yoo Jae Suk encapsulated everyone's disbelief when he remarked, "I thought it was a joke."

To which a genuine Kim Jong Kook responded:

"I’m really getting married. I’ll do my best to live well."

Yoo Jae Suk further emphasized the secrecy, adding, "I only found out today," a sentiment echoed by a joking Ji Suk Jin, who quipped, "If you were born in the past, you should have been an independence fighter." The studio was filled with a mix of joyous confusion and pure elation.

Song Ji Hyo's Emotional Tears and The End of the Spartace Era

Perhaps the most poignant reaction came from Song Ji Hyo. As the members erupted with comments like "Is this real or not?" and "This is so great," Yoo Jae Suk noticed Ji Hyo's quiet emotion.

"Ji Hyo, are you crying?" ask Yoo Jae Sook.

Song Ji Hyo tearfully responded, "I’m really touched right now."

This moment was particularly meaningful for long-time fans of the show, who have famously "shipped" the pair under the couple name "Spartace" or "Kkook-mong Couple," a nickname born from their strong and enduring chemistry on screen. Their bond, which included moments like Ji Hyo casually calling Jong Kook "yeobo" (darling), often sparked romantic speculation. Yet, Ji Hyo's visibly happy and heartfelt tears seemed to beautifully close that chapter, showcasing nothing but pure, supportive friendship for her longtime co-star's happiness.

The shockwaves continued with HaHa, who is so close to Jong Kook that they are business partners. He was left utterly speechless, fulfilling a years-old joke between them.

"I really wasn’t going to tell HaHa until the very end," Jong Kook recalled.

This is a callback to when he promised HaHa he’d only find out about his marriage through a news article after learning of HaHa's own marriage belatedly. As the members continued to process the news, Kim Jong Kook explained his reason for the surprise announcement.

"As you all know, I even dislike celebrating birthdays. I wanted to keep it quiet. If the news had come out on another day, I was worried you’d end up putting up a banner about it on 'Running Man'…" said Kim Jong Kook.

Yoo Jae Suk stepped in to offer heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the group, noting, "Every New Year, people would ask when Jong Kook would get married, and now finally he is."

The announcement, which also surprised guests Jang Dong Yoon and Kim Ah Young, was filmed ahead of its broadcast. The production team, originally planning to air it on September 7, moved the episode up to August 31 due to the significance of the news.

This aligns with Kim Jong Kook's own handwritten letter to his fans, where he wrote, "It may be very late, but I’m so grateful to be able to take this step now. I will do my best to live well."

Kim Jong Kook is set to marry his non-celebrity fiancée in a private ceremony in Seoul on September 5th, finally embarking on this beautiful new chapter of his life surrounded by the love and support of his Running Man family and fans worldwide.

Source: SBS's Running Man, Allkpop