Ji Suk-jin Sparks Laughter with Graduation Talk on Running Man
In the latest episode of SBS's Running Man, aired on March 16, 2025, Ji Suk-jin, who had previously taken a break from the show last year, brought humor to the conversation when the topic of his 'graduation' from the show came up. The episode featured a spring-themed shoot, with the production team announcing plans to film in the mountains and purchase flowers from a market to celebrate the season.
As part of the spring festivities, the members participated in a group quiz mission, wagering on the amount they would spend on flowers. The 'Kkang Kkang 4 Brothers' (Haha, Song Ji-hyo, Yang Se-chan, and Jeon Yeo-been) humorously struggled with the quiz, leading to a series of incorrect answers that had everyone laughing.
During their visit to the flower market, Ji Suk-jin was playfully scolded by the other members when he expressed interest in buying misty flowers. The conversation took a comedic turn when Yoo Jae-suk jokingly referred to Ji Suk-jin's 'graduation' from the show, noting that he had turned 60. Ji Suk-jin responded with mock surprise, saying, 'Is today my last broadcast? I didn’t hear about it,' before thanking everyone and wishing them happiness, which added to the laughter.
Ji Suk-jin had previously announced a hiatus from Running Man due to health concerns, as confirmed by his agency, ESTeam Entertainment. After a five-week break, he made a welcomed return to the show, and the recent graduation jokes further lightened the atmosphere.
The episode also included a segment where Yoo Jae-suk styled Ji Suk-jin, humorously noting that he would find a youthful outfit for him, referencing Ji Suk-jin's usual struggle with modern fashion. The members then visited a vintage shop, where Ji Suk-jin's outfit, styled as a chic middle-aged woman, drew laughter from the group, with Song Ji-hyo commenting that she had seen such a woman before. Ji Suk-jin, feeling a bit out of place, remarked that he thought he was dressing up but ended up looking like he was in everyday clothes.
The episode concluded with the signature 'Age Announcement' race, marking the first full participation of the new youngest member, Jeon Yeo-been. The race took place in the mountains, with the filming height increasing as they spent money. After a challenging climb, the members were met with the shocking news that they could only descend by rolling a die, and if they rolled 'climb,' they had to ascend an additional 20 meters. Yoo Jae-suk was the only member to roll a descent, while the others faced more climbing ahead.
