More than a decade after their last variety show showdown, BIGBANG remains absent from Running Man. According to broadcast remarks by host Yoo Jae Suk on a September episode, the group’s prolonged hiatus from the show stems from G-Dragon experiencing a punishingly intense mudflat challenge during their 2015 guest appearance.
The Bottom Line
- The Core Reason: Host Yoo Jae Suk revealed that G-Dragon struggled significantly during BIGBANG’s last guest spot, noting it was “quite intense back then.”
- The Flashpoint: The group’s final group appearance occurred in 2015, defined by a rough physical challenge set on a mudflat.
- The Current Status: Cast member Haha and the production team made fresh on-air pleas for a reunion, with producers hinting they are ready to welcome the group back on friendlier terms.
Unpacking the 2015 Mudflat Flashpoint
During the September 6 broadcast of Running Man, cast members appeared dressed up after production requested they dress carefully. Haha arrived sporting BIGBANG merchandise, admitting to the cameras that he had attended a BIGBANG concert just a day prior. “Yesterday’s BIGBANG concert was chaotic,” Haha remarked before making a direct, public plea to the lens: “BIGBANG, come out once.”
That prompt opened the floodgates for a candid behind-the-scenes revelation. When Ji Suk Jin pressed the group on why a reunion has never materialized, Yoo Jae Suk set the record straight. “G-Dragon struggled a lot before. It was quite intense back then,” Yoo explained. Cast member Haha immediately backed up the sentiment, adding, “GD has some bad memories,” directly pointing to the group’s rough physical bouts on a muddy tidal flat during their 2015 appearance.
That 2015 episode involved games set on a mudflat where the members fiercely competed with the cast, creating intense variety moments.
Variety Evolution and the Reality of Idol Bookings
| Element | The 2015 Dynamic | The Current Landscape |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Setting | Outdoor physical challenges (mudflats) | Controlled environments |
| Artist Risk | High physical exposure and grueling athletic tasks | Brand safety and conversational control |
| Production Stance | Competitive, high-energy physical elimination games | Welcoming, fan-service-oriented invitation (“flower path”) |
Despite the hurdles of the past, the door is far from closed. Following Haha’s on-air appeal, the Running Man production team reinforced the sentiment through broadcast subtitles, playfully teasing that they are ready to “lay out the flower path and wait” for a potential return. Whether the members will eventually trade the mudflat memories for a modern variety format remains to be seen, but the appetite from both the cast and the audience is clear.
Looking Ahead at a Potential Reunion
A BIGBANG return to Running Man would be a significant event. Yet, as Yoo’s recent comments prove, bridging a ten-year gap means acknowledging the grueling history that kept them away in the first place.
Drop a comment below: Do you want to see BIGBANG brave the variety circuit again, or should they stick to safer talk formats?
