Review: This is a review article written after watching the broadcast.
About a week after controversy erupted over actress Song Ji-hyo's Running Man screen time, this time she changed the mood with a noticeable performance.
Previously, on the SBS variety show Running Man aired on the 8th, a game was played with an office worker concept where performance incentives and whether to work overtime were decided by roulette results, but in a broadcast of about 1 hour and 30 minutes, Song Ji-hyo's appearance scenes lasted only about 10 seconds, leaving viewers disappointed. Critics noted that she appeared only in group shots or reaction scenes and showed almost no noticeable performance.
Song Ji-hyo is an original member of Running Man who joined as a fixed member after a guest appearance in 2010 and had led the program, which made it even more disappointing. She also won the SBS Entertainment Awards' best variety performer and enjoyed such high popularity that she formed an overseas fandom.
However, recently the program's nature has shifted to talk-centered, leading to continued evaluations that Song Ji-hyo's presence is not what it used to be. Some viewers expressed disappointment, saying, "We don't see the ace-like performances of the past," while on the 15th broadcast of Running Man a completely different atmosphere unfolded. That episode featured short-track national team skaters, the stars of the 2026 Milan–Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, attracting attention.
Joining the game were short-track queen Choi Min-jeong, who set the record for the most medals in Korea's Olympic history, along with Noh Do-hee, Lee June-seo, Lee Jeong-min and Shin Dong-min, and during the game Song Ji-hyo actively jumped into strategic battles and showed her presence. She declared to Yang Se-chan, "It's been betrayal for three weeks. Don't ignore me," and "You and I are at war from now on," and Yang Se-chan responded, "Fine," raising the tension. Song Ji-hyo continued active play, warning surrounding members, "If Yang Se-chan is clustered, pick him later. He hasn't received a penalty in a long time," and so on.
In particular, Song Ji-hyo executed a reversal strategy targeting the national team athletes instead of Yang Se-chan. She said, "Don't the athletes need to experience penalties a bit?" and joined hands with Yang Se-chan to form a "betrayal alliance," shaking up the flow of the game.
In addition, during movements she also played the role of "human navigation" effectively. She shortened the team's travel time with precise directions, showing her presence. Yang Se-chan marveled, "Thanks to you, I almost didn't get lost. You cut 2 to 3 minutes," and the members cheered, "Today's best performance," and "We'll be first."
Having shown fierce play in strategy and navigation, Song Ji-hyo demonstrated a clear presence on that day's broadcast, instantly quelling the recent "wallflower controversy," which drew attention. Support continues for her to show a more active side in the future.
[photo] "Running Man"
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