Song Ji Hyo, Lee Kwang Soo To Transform Into Animal Characters; ‘Running Man’ Animated Series In The Works

by Robie Ferrer / Jun 14, 2017 06:48 AM EDT

The long-running SBS variety show 'Running Man' will soon have its own animated series. (SBS Running Man/YouTube)

Avid viewers of SBS' long-running variety show "Running Man" will soon have another chance to see unique versions of beloved cast members such as Song Ji Hyo, Lee Kwang Soo, and others. The South Korean network is set to unveil the animated version of the said program that will showcase the animal characters of the series' remaining six original members.

An animated version of "Running Man" will soon hit the South Korean small screens. Recently, SBS started a project, in coordination with the messenger app LINE, that will transform cast members Song Ji Hyo, Lee Kwang Soo, Haha, Kim Jong Kook, Yoo Jae Suk and Ji Suk Jin into their iconic animal characters, Korean news outlet Sports Donga reported.

Described as a children's cartoon, the animated version of "Running Man" will be based on an earlier episode of the SBS variety show that featured an animal kingdom theme. Aired in 2014, the said episode had its cast members wearing animal hats to depict their special roles such as Song Ji Hyo as a cat, Kim Jong Kook as a tiger and Haha as a penguin. Lee Kwang Soo was tasked to portray a giraffe, while Ji Suk Jin and Yoo Jae Suk took on the roles of an impala and grasshopper, respectively.

Following the six cast members animal avatars, the upcoming "Running Man" animated series will also feature the same creatures. Moreover, given SBS' partnership with LINE, avid fans can look forward to seeing interesting cartoon creatures with the said messenger app company handling the creation process of the cast members' iconic animal characters.

In other news, Lee Kwang Soo recently recounted how he ended up sleeping in Jeon So Min's house. He shared that after having dinner and drinks with a "Running Man" producer, he opted to take a cab home but was too drunk to give the cab driver his address. The situation prompted the said driver to search the actor's phone for assistance, Soompi reported.

Given that Jeon So Min was the last person that the "Entourage" star called, the driver contacted the actress and she had him send her "Running Man" castmate to her home. Lee Kwang Soo stated that he was surprised to find himself waking up in an unfamiliar room and even conveyed his apologies to Jeon So Min's father over the incident.

"Running Man" airs every Sunday on SBS. Meanwhile, the animated version of the said variety show is expected to be released in the latter part of 2017.