'Running Man' producer apologizes for plagiarism accusation

A comparison of the "pinball game" played in the episode of "Running Man" aired on Dec. 6 (top) and "Gorogoro Viking" on Fuji TV's "VS. Arashi."/Screen capture from Twitter

Lim Hyung-taek, executive producer of the South Korean variety show “Running Man” has responded to an accusation that the show plagiarized a game from the Japanese entertainment program "VS. Arashi."

“Regardless of how it might have happened, I express my sincere apologies as the person in charge,” Lim said Monday. "I'll do everything I can to prevent similar incidents from happening."

The allegations were first made after an episode of “Running Man”aired on Dec. 6. Viewers have said one of the missions on the episode, which required contestants to safely move balls from one side of a giant board to the other side, is highly similar to the game “Gorogoro Viking,” played on the Japanese show.

"Running Man" is a popular entertainment program, which is part of the umbrella program "Good Sunday" which airs on the South Korean network SBS. "VS. Arashi" is a Fuji TV variety show, starring a popular J-pop group, Arashi.