Apparently, an online post had raised the suspicion of 'Running Man's December 6 episode, 'Lost in Seoul,' having a close resemblance to the Kokoro Vikings game on Fuji TV variety program 'VS Arashi.'

In a phone interview with Sport Chosun on Monday, Im said, "I'm currently overseas hunting for a location for ['Running Man's] next filming and I'm embarrassed something like this blew up. We sometimes use images during meetings when we're planning for the show but there are instances when we don't check the materials' original sources. I think this was one of those instances." 

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Im added, "I've never seen the Japanese program in question so I have nothing to say on the plagiarism itself. Regardless, there is the matter of my not being more mindful as someone that's responsible [for the show]. I apologize about this. I'll be more careful from now on."