Filipino fans of the popular Korean TV variety show “Running Man” honored actor and “Prince of Asia” Lee Kwang-soo, one of the mainstays who has left the show after 11 years due to health reasons.
Lee Kwang-soo, 35, taped his last episode for the show on May 24 and a day before that, Pinoy fans from the “Running Man” Philippines fanbase ran a billboard ad on a building along EDSA as their gift to him.
The ad showed Lee Kwang-soo’s scenes from “Running Man” with the messages "PH ♥ Lee Kwang Soo #PrinceofASIAinEDSA (Philippines loves Lee Kwang Soo)” and “Thank you for running with us, we will miss you, our Girin (the star’s nickname).”
Lee Kwang-soo is one of the original cast of “Running Man,” which premiered in Korea on July 11, 2010. He earned the nickname “Prince of Asia” because of his popularity among fans of the show in Asian countries.
On Feb. 15, 2020, he got into a car accident that injured his ankle. Last April 27, his agency, King Kong by Starship Entertainment, announced that he would be stepping down from “Running Man” and his last taping would be on May 24.
"We are here to inform you that Lee Kwang-soo is leaving 'Running Man.’ His last shooting will be on May 24. Lee Kwang-soo has been trying to treat his injury since last year, but it was difficult to maintain his best condition during filming due to the injury,” the agency said, according to SBS News.
It added, "Following a long discussion with us, 'Running Man' members and the production team, Lee Kwang-soo decided to take some time off and step down from 'Running Man.’
The agency said it was not easy for Lee Kwang-soo to leave “Running Man” as he has been on the show for 11 years.
"Despite that, we felt that it was necessary to take a break in order to show better performances in the future. We would like to thank you for the love and support that you demonstrated for Lee Kwang-soo for the past 11 years,” it said.
His drama and film credits include "The Sound of Your Heart," "Entourage," "Goddess of Fire," "High Kick Through the Roof," "Inseparable Bros," "Tazza: One Eyed Jack" and "The Accidental Detective 2: In Action."