'Running Man’ Loses Popularity Vote, 'I Live Alone' Tops Viewer Preference Survey

For nearly ten years, Running Man has entertained millions of South Korean viewers with the cast members' crazy antics and interesting missions. However, a recent popularity survey showed the emergence of another chart leader in MBC's I Live Alone.

I Live Alone nabbed the first place on Gallup Korea's latest monthly survey. For the period of June 19 until June 21, survey participants were asked to identify two of their most favorite South Korean TV shows. Many of the 1,003 respondents chose the said series with 5 percent of the participants enjoying the MBC variety program.

Comprised of a six-member cast, the show provides avid fans the opportunity to peek at the private lives of K-pop stars and famous celebrities who live on their own. Five years after it aired its premiere episode, I Live Alone finally reached the top of the viewer preference survey in April. The MBC show even retained its first-place ranking in Gallup Korea's popularity survey for the month of May.

Meanwhile, Running Man came in at sixth place with 2.6 percent of the respondents identifying the SBS show as their favorite. Other series that entered Gallup Korea's latest list included JTBC's Ssulzun (4.8 percent), Marry Me Now (3.8 percent), Ask Us Anything (3.7 percent), My Ugly Duckling (3.4 percent) and the Park Seo Joon drama What's Wrong with Secretary Kim (3.2 percent).

At this time, it is still unclear if Running Man will be able to improve its chart ranking in the said monthly survey. Recently, the SBS series received positive reviews after it featured guest appearances of celebrities who matched well with some of the show's cast members. Hong Jin Young even rekindled her onscreen romance with Kim Jong Kook.

Aired on June 24, Running Man Episode 538 featured the reward and punishment trips that were identified during the show's Family Project challenges. After winning a luxury trip, Hong Jin Young joined Kim Jong Kook, Song Ji Hyo, Yang Se Chan, Haha and guest star Kang Ha as the team traveled to Switzerland.

The Turbo alum even questioned Hong Jin Young's wardrobe choice after the two became a matching couple given their similar black-colored attires. However, the "Ring Ring" songstress commented that she has always been partial to the color black.

Running Man airs every Sunday on SBS. I Live Alone releases new episodes every Friday on MBC.