After 14 Years, Song Ji Hyo Isn’t Going Anywhere—Find Out Why She’s Sticking with ‘Running Man’

Actress Song Ji Hyo has addressed the rumors about her departure from SBS’s popular variety show Running Man. During a recent guest appearance on the YouTube channel Jo Dongari, she spoke about her long-standing relationship with fellow cast member Ji Suk Jin and her dedication to the show, making her a beloved fixture for over a decade.

Having been part of Running Man for an impressive 14 years, Song Ji Hyo shared her thoughts on her continued commitment to the show. “Honestly, I never thought I’d be part of a variety show for this long,” she confessed. “At first, I stayed because I had strong ties with the production team. I thought I’d stick around as long as they were involved, but I never expected it to go on for this long. The original team has since moved on to other projects, but now I’ve formed such strong bonds with my fellow cast members that I feel I need to see this through to the end.”

During the interview, Running Man‘s longtime host, Kim Yong Man, asked Song Ji Hyo about any possible burnout, referencing Ji Suk Jin’s own struggles with the show’s demands. “There was a time when Ji Suk Jin seriously considered quitting due to the pressure,” Kim Yong Man noted. Did you ever feel the same way?”

Ji Suk Jin added, “If I remember correctly, Song Ji Hyo wanted to leave at one point. It’s not unusual for actors to feel that way.” However, Song Ji Hyo quickly cleared things up. “Let’s not jump to conclusions,” she replied with a smile. “I never thought about leaving. Not once.”

Song Ji Hyo also reflected on her long tenure on Running Man, saying, “Honestly, I thought I’d quit all variety shows after 10 years. I imagined it would be like a graduation. I was mentally preparing to wrap things up after 10 years, but here I am, still going in my 11th year. That’s how I’ve made it this far. I’ve just kept going without overthinking it.”

Ji Suk Jin, emphasizing the close-knit bond among the cast, said, “We have a family-like chemistry. If Ji Hyo ever seriously considered leaving, we’d sit down and talk as a group. That’s how close we are.” Song Ji Hyo, however, playfully disagreed, saying, “We do support each other, but I’ve never seriously thought about leaving. I think you might be reading into things a bit too much.”

Kim Yong Man then commended Song Ji Hyo’s dedication, remarking, “It’s rare to find someone stuck with the same variety show for 14 years. That’s a huge achievement.”

It’s also worth mentioning that in 2016, both Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook faced a scare when they were reportedly told they were leaving Running Man. However, the backlash from fans was so overwhelming that the decision was quickly reversed, and both stars remained on the show, continuing their iconic roles that fans know and love.