Kim Jong-kook Addresses 'Fake Marriage' Rumors on 'Running Man'

Singer Kim Jong-kook has spoken out about the 'fake marriage' rumors on 'Running Man'.

On the December 28th episode of the SBS variety show 'Running Man', a segment called 'Running Year-End Hearing' was held. The mission was to predict the words or actions of the members.

During the episode, Yoo Jae-suk questioned Kim Jong-kook's marital status. He pressed, "You didn't get married, right? I haven't seen you since. I haven't even seen you contact anyone. Did you really get married?"

In response to the 'fake marriage' allegations, Kim Jong-kook confirmed, "I am married." When Yang Se-chan asked, "Do you love your wife?", he replied, "I love her very much."

When Ji Suk-jin asked him to name three good things about being married, Kim Jong-kook expressed his satisfaction with marriage, saying, "Can it be just three?" When Haha prompted him to name three downsides, Kim Jong-kook revealed his affectionate side by saying, "There are no downsides."

Kim Jong-kook held a private wedding ceremony on September 5th in Seoul with a non-celebrity bride, attended only by family and close friends. He kept the marriage a secret from his 'Running Man' co-stars until a week before the ceremony, surprising them.

Meanwhile, Ji Suk-jin faced some teasing from Yoo Jae-suk and Haha. Yoo Jae-suk, who is younger but a senior in the industry, asked, "I thought I was your senior, why are you being so disrespectful?"

Ji Suk-jin, who is actually Yoo Jae-suk's junior, responded, "It's been a long time since I thought of myself as your junior. I don't consider myself a junior anymore. Everything has collapsed." When Yang Se-chan asked if he could also 'collapse' the hierarchy, Ji Suk-jin humorously replied, "You're a junior, kid," reverting to his senior mode and causing laughter.

After the recording, Ji Suk-jin, who is a nominee for the 2025 Entertainment Awards Grand Prize, stated, "I'm not someone who is greedy for awards, but if they give it to me, I'll accept it. However, I'm not overly ambitious or obsessed with the Grand Prize." Song Ji-hyo teased him, asking, "Why are you so greedy with stocks then?" to which Ji Suk-jin, flustered, responded, "What is she talking about?" providing more laughs.

By Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr