Actress Song Ji-hyo is once again facing mounting calls from viewers to step down from the long-running variety show “Running Man,” nearly three years after a similar controversy placed her participation in the program under scrutiny.
The latest debate erupted after the March 8 episode of SBS’s flagship variety show, which aired under the theme “Run & Fun Company: Spin the Roulette.” In the episode, the cast transformed into office workers competing in various games to leave work early, using any strategy possible to win.
However, viewers quickly pointed out that Song appeared largely disengaged throughout the broadcast. Unlike the other cast members, she rarely joined the improvised skits or conversations that drive much of the show’s humor, resulting in minimal screen time.
Scenes from “Running Man” / Captured from SBS
At one point during a bus ride to lunch, the other members continued lively banter while Song mostly sat quietly, smiling but not participating in the conversation. The contrast was particularly noticeable alongside the show’s youngest member, Ji Ye-eun, who repeatedly attempted to jump into the conversation and actively participated in the situational comedy.
For longtime viewers, the moment felt familiar. Critics noted that Song had faced similar criticism before. In June 2023, she drew attention during another episode when she struggled to join an improvised scene with fellow members Jun So-min, Kim Jong-kook, Haha and Yang Se-chan, instead quietly eating ice while the others performed.
In another segment tasting kongguksu, a cold soybean noodle dish popular in Korea during summer, the rest of the cast exchanged comments while Song remained silent.
As criticism spread online at the time, Song addressed the controversy during an appearance on the YouTube talk show “Pinggyego.” She said she had not initially seen the critical articles about her performance.
“When the controversy about me leaving came up, Jae-suk called and said, ‘Ji-hyo, did you see the article?'” she said. “But I actually hadn’t seen it yet.”
She said that after learning about the coverage, she looked up the articles herself and used the criticism as motivation.
“So I called Seok-jin and said, ‘I’ll really try harder,'” she said.
Following those comments, many viewers said her performance noticeably improved, and some fans who had previously called for her departure responded positively to her renewed energy on the show.
Now, however, the debate has resurfaced. Less than three years later, online discussions have once again focused on Song’s limited participation and screen presence.
The controversy has also placed the show’s production team in a difficult position. “Running Man,” which debuted in 2010 and remains one of South Korea’s most recognizable variety programs internationally, has recently received praise from fans under producer Kang Hyung-sun’s leadership.
Yet, as the program increasingly emphasizes talk segments and improvisational interaction among cast members, viewers have noted that Song appears on screen less frequently than other members, and many say the issue has not improved.
With “Running Man” currently enjoying renewed positive momentum, some fans say the contrast between the show’s revival and the recurring criticism of one of its original cast members may intensify calls for a lineup change.
Whether Song will once again respond to the feedback and attempt to revitalize her role on the show, or eventually leave the program she has been a part of for more than a decade, remains a topic of intense discussion among fans.
This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.