ENTERTAINMENT
Song Ji-hyo's Limited Screen Time on 'Running Man' Sparks Viewer Debate
The episode aired on the 8th, titled 'Run and Fun Company: Spin the Roulette,' lasted about 90 minutes. It featured a workplace skit where bonuses and overtime were determined by roulette. However, Song Ji-hyo's solo screen time or voice presence was limited to roughly 10 seconds. She was mostly seen laughing or appearing in group shots, with little involvement in games or conversations. Her screen time in the previous week's episode was also under a minute.
After the broadcast, opinions on internet forums and social media were divided. Some viewers criticized, "It's a 90-minute show, and Song Ji-hyo's screen time was about 10 seconds," questioning her professionalism and calling for her departure due to her weak presence as a regular member. Others defended her, suggesting it might be an editing issue or noting that she didn't seem well. There was also analysis that her role has diminished as the show's format shifted from physical activities to conversations and skits.
Song Ji-hyo has been a fixture on the show since 2010, earning the nickname 'Ace' for her unreserved participation and even winning a top award at the Entertainment Awards. In 2016, she and singer Kim Jong-kook were unexpectedly asked to leave the show, but viewer backlash led to their reinstatement.
This isn't the first time her limited screen time has been criticized. In 2023, there were calls for her to leave due to her lack of visibility. At the time, fellow cast member Yoo Jae-suk defended her on an online video, saying, "Ji-hyo really tries hard. There were episodes where she didn't speak much, and she felt bad about it, saying she should have tried harder." He encouraged her, saying, "Just work harder next week. Don't worry about it."
Song Ji-hyo herself has expressed no intention of leaving the show. In a 2024 online video, she shared, "I never thought I'd do variety shows for this long. Now, I've grown attached to the members and feel I should stay until the end." She also stated on another channel, "As long as the 'Running Man' production team doesn't end the show, I won't quit first."
By Min-kyung Lee, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr
