Why Did Song Joong Ki Choose to Appear on the Chinese Version of "Running Man" First?

As reported previously, actor Song Joong Ki will be participating in the filming for “Hurry Up Brother,” the Chinese version of “Running Man,” at a duty free shop in Seoul, Korea.

“Hurry Up Brother” is currently filming a special Korea episode and they even filmed with the Korean “Running Man” members on April 18.

Song Joong Ki’s appearance on the show is expected to be one of the highlights of the episode as the actor has been enjoying incredible popularity from his role in “Descendants of the Sun” and fans have been wondering what program he would appear in after the end of the drama.

Although his appearance in “Running Man” is somewhat expected due to his past as a fixed member of the Korean cast and his well-known friendship with current “Running Man” member Lee Kwang Soo, fans are curious as to why he decided to appear in the Chinese version first, before the Korean one.

Song Joong Ki’s agency, Blossom Entertainment, explained, “We had received a request for appearance from ‘Hurry Up Brother’ a long time ago so it is something we’ve been discussing for a while” and “we decided on his appearance to follow up on our loyalty and close relationship with PD Im Hyung Taek from [Song Joong Ki’s] ‘Running Man’ days.” PD Im Hyung Taek is the former producer of the Korean “Running Man” who now supervises the Chinese version.

Some are saying this is a move aimed at reaching the Chinese market, following the huge popularity of “Descendants of the Sun” in China. Whatever the reason, it looks like Song Joong Ki’s appearance in the “Hurry Up Brother” will become a steppingstone for his further advancement as a Hallyu star, as he has already reached megastar status in Korea and the rest of Asia as well.

Although there may have been many scheduling and production-related reasons, fans can’t help but wonder if the episode would have been more effective and synergetic had Song Joong Ki reunited with his old Korean “Running Man” buddies through “Hurry Up Brother.”

Do you think Song Joong Ki will be appearing in the Korean version any time soon?

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