Running Man star Song Ji-Hyo reportedly cut contact and cried for days after being removed from show

Fans and cast members of hit Korean variety show Running Man can't seem to catch a break.

Last week, the show made headlines when it was announced that two of its cast members Song Ji-Hyo and Kim Jong Kook would be leaving.

In less than 24 hours, reports of how the two stars were actually booted off the show surfaced.

And now it's been revealed that Song was deeply affected by her removal, especially since she apparently did not know about it until the day news broke.

Entertainment website Koreaboo reported that a source close to Song disclosed the extent of her despair upon hearing the news and revealed that she had a very difficult time following the news.

The source was quoted as saying: "She loved Running Man dearly and considered the show her family for the past 7 years. She was wounded very deeply through this ordeal. When she heard the news that she was removed from the show, she cut contact with everyone and just shut herself in and cried."

Song was part of the show's popular 'Monday Couple' along with rapper Gary, who quit the show in October. Her onscreen boyfriend shut down his Instagram page after the controversy.

He returned to social media three days ago with a black and white photo of himself as well as his former co-stars Song and Kim.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BOD2aD7FqOo/[/embed]

The caption read: "You guys worked very very very hard. Thank you."

Running Man will come to an end by February next year, as announced by SBS, the network that airs the show.

Kim and Song also confirmed that they would be re-joining Running Man until the end of the series. According to Koreaboo, Song's agency added that she wishes to end things on a good note for the fans and stay loyal to her fellow cast members.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg