Song Ji Hyo‘s minimal appearance on the SBS variety show Running Man is drawing attention and discussion among viewers.
The March 8th episode aired for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. It depicted a workplace scenario where performance bonuses and overtime were determined by roulette results. However, Song Ji Hyo’s screen time and speaking parts in this episode were limited to about 10 seconds. She was mostly seen laughing when other cast members spoke or appearing in wide shots, with little to no engagement in games or conversations. In the preceding week’s episode, her screen time was also reportedly around one minute.
Following the episode, opinions were divided on online forums and social media. Some viewers criticized her, stating, “A 90-minute show and Song Ji Hyo’s part was only 10 seconds,” questioning her professionalism and noting her weak presence as a fixed cast member. They even called for her departure from the show.
Conversely, others defended her, suggesting, “It might be an editing issue,” or “She didn’t look well,” offering support. There were also analyses suggesting that her role might have naturally diminished as the show’s format shifted from its early emphasis on physical activities to the current focus on conversations and role-playing.
Song Ji Hyo joined Running Man as a fixed cast member in 2010 after initially appearing as a guest, and has been with the show for 16 years. Her fearless and outgoing persona earned her the nickname ‘Ace,’ and she even received the Top Excellence Award at the Entertainment Awards. In 2016, she and singer Kim Jong Kook were abruptly informed of their departure, but due to strong backlash from viewers, the production team reversed their decision and allowed them to rejoin.
This is not the first time her screen time has drawn criticism. In 2023, similar calls for her departure arose due to her perceived lack of visibility on screen. At the time, Yoo Jae Suk appeared on the online video series Pinggyego and spoke about Song Ji Hyo’s efforts. “Ji Hyo really puts in a lot of effort. There were episodes where I watched and thought, ‘Ji Hyo was really quiet today,'” he said. He added, “She felt upset about it too, saying, ‘I should have tried harder.'” Yoo Jae Suk then reassured her, “So you just need to try harder starting next week. Don’t worry about it,” offering his support.
Song Ji Hyo herself has previously stated her intention to remain on the show. In a 2024 appearance on the online video series Jodongari, she shared her thoughts: “I never expected to be doing variety shows for this long.” She continued, “Now that I’ve grown so fond of the members, I feel like I have to see it through until the end.” On another channel, she also promised, “As long as the Running Man production team doesn’t end the show, I will not quit first.”
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