Running Man star Lee Kwang Soo won a top prize at SBS Entertainment Awards amidst controversy about the show. He accepted the Top Excellence Award for his performance on popular variety program Running Man, which has been involved in controversy lately over the apparent dismissal of two of its cast members, Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Cook.
After the controversy sparked, the production team announced that the two cast members would stay on until the show's finale. Despite rumors, all six cast members of the show were at the awards ceremony.
Running Man star Lee Kwang Soo gave a touching acceptance speech in which he thanked those who "worked hard to defend Running Man." "To Ji Suk Jin, who taught me about life and entertainment, to Yoo Jae Seok, who made me the person I am today, to Kim Jong Gook, my mentor, to Haha, whom I love like family, to Song Ji Hyo, who is like my real sister, and to Gary, Song Joong Ki and Lizzy. I love you all so much," Lee said, mentioning each of his team members.
After the ceremony, fans expressed disappointment in the fact that Running Man, a show that has been airing on SBS for almost seven years, only took one prize home.
In response to the fans, SBS released a statement on Instagram explaining that the Running Man cast has asked not to be given any prizes as they wanted to keep a low profile during the awards show.
"For this reason, Running Man was only given one award," the statement concluded.
It was the comedian-TV host Shing Dong Yup the one who took the Grand Prize home for his work on Mom's Diary - My Ugly Duckling, a reality show spotlighting celebrities and their mothers. The show, launched in July, boasted a viewership of over 10 per cent on Friday nights.
Some of the most memorable quotes of the show are:
"Kim Jong Kook talks a lot. I'm glad he's not my mother in law." - Jae Suk to Jong Kook at epsode 98
"When Jong Kook screams, he has no charisma at all." - Yoo Jae Suk
"Lee Kwang Soo said that he was a burden to Yoo Jae Suk." - Yoo Jae Suk answered that he was not a burden to him but he is a burden himself.