Neither "Running Man" not "Roommate" did very well in the ratings this week, with both the variety shows reporting low ratings. "Running Man" rated at 6.2 percent of the viewers, its lowest ratings yet. "Roomate" did poorly too, with 3.6 percent of the ratings, also its worst rating yet. The variety shows ranked last in their time slots.
K-drama fans may, however, want to take note of the show's k-drama-related revamp. "Running Man" is airing a special feature "It's Okay, I'm a Chaebol," with actresses who have played k-drama villains. Lee Yu Ri, who plays the bitter and deceitful Yeon Min Jung in "Jang Bo Ri Is Here," will be on the show, as will Yoo In Young. Yoo In Jung has played unlikable characters in "Empress Ki" and "You Who Came From The Stars" and is now a woman out to poison the prince in "The Three Musketeers." Seo Woo, who played Moon Geun Young's spoiled immature stepsister in "Cinderella's Sister,' will appear on the program, as well as Kim Min Seo, who was pretty evil in "The Moon Embracing the Sun." The cast will also include Choi Yeo Jin and regular guest Song Ji Hyo.
"Running Man" has been a popular variety show since 2010.
Meanwhile "Roommate" has seen several celebrities move out. The show, which originally began with roommates Lee So Ra, Park Bom, Song Ga Yeon, Jo Se Ho, Lee Dong Wook, Nana, Hong Soo Hyun, Park Chan Yeol, Shin Sung Woo, Park Min Woo and Seo Kang Joon, was a mix of a reality and variety show. The show featured 11 celebrities sharing a house and interacting on a daily basis.
But the show did not draw the favorable ratings producers expected even before members started dropping out. The program debuted on May 4 with 6.8 percent of the ratings but fell to 5.4 by June 1.
In late July 2NE1 member Park Bom left due to a scandal about her use and importation of amphetamine drugs. While the drugs were prescribed in the U.S. they are not legal in Korea. The final episode that she appeared in was aired on July 27. Model Lee So Ra left on Aug. 20, citing schedule conflicts. On Aug. 26, fighter Song Ga Yeon also left the show, saying that she wanted to focus on her career. And finally on Aug. 31, actor Shin Sung Woo, last seen in "Trot Lovers," also announced that he would also be leaving the show.
Since only seven roommates remain, including actors Lee Dong Wook and Seo Kang Joon, and actress Hong Soo Hyun, the next season will add four new members. There has been no announcement concerning the identity of the replacement roommates. This season's final episode takes place on Sept. 14.
