Debates over her screen time and engagement persist.
2 hours ago
Actress Song Ji Hyo is once again at the center of controversy over her attitude on Running Man. For a while, criticism has continued over her screen time and level of participation, with viewers remaining divided about her place on the show. However, in the latest episode, the actress appeared “unable to focus” on set, sparking major backlash from even the most loyal fans.
Actress Song Ji Hyo | EPN
On March 22, 2026 (KST), in Episode 795, the cast of Running Man took part in a mystery race set against the backdrop of an exhibition by actor and painter Park Shin Yang. The members were tasked with identifying real and fake masterpieces from paintings collected around the world.
However, Song Ji Hyo was noticeably absent in the early part of the episode. While Yoo Jae Suk, Kim Jong Kook, and Yang Se Chan carried the banter, and Ji Suk Jin and Ji Ye Eun played into the detective concept, Song Ji Hyo did not appear until about 13 minutes into the broadcast. While it is possible her comments were edited out, viewers noted that, given the nature of variety shows, any strong comedic moments likely would have been included.
The actress’s presence remained minimal in the games that followed. In a relay drawing segment where members and Park Shin Yang took turns sketching clues, Song Ji Hyo struggled to keep the flow going.
In particular, when the prompt “shy anteater” appeared, she asked, “Wait! Can you show the question one more time?” In response, Kim Jong Kook raised his voice, saying, “You didn’t see the question?” while Haha added, “That doesn’t make sense. We all saw it—how do you forget that?!”
The scene was uploaded to the official Running Man YouTube channel the same day, allowing frustrated viewers to express their disappointment with Song Ji Hyo.
| @SBSRunningMan/YouTube
- After seeing Heo Kyung Hwan get confirmed on Hangout With Yoo and being so happy about it, it really hit me how many opportunities are being taken away by someone just taking up a fixed spot here and zoning out.
- I think it’s understandable to forget, but when the members come at you, you’re supposed to make it funny. She just went serious, so it wasn’t even entertaining.
- We’re at the point where viewers are starting to walk on eggshells.
- Must be nice to be barely working and still getting paid tens of millions every month LOL. Peak “career longevity” IMO.
- She can’t even focus for a short moment…
- I think it’s about time Song Ji Hyo leaves.
- Please give other people a chance… That’s the right thing to do. Don’t force yourself to stay. Go live at your own pace.
- This explains why her footage keeps getting edited out.
- Honestly, on a long-running Sunday primetime variety show, doing this for years while getting paid that much is a real problem. At this point, it feels like the production team is just leaving it as is, but they really need to step in now. Compared to others, she has no ability or preparation to create laughs.
While some continued to defend her, noting, “That’s just her character,” most called out her seemingly lazy attitude and argued, “This is getting serious.”
| @SBSRunningMan/YouTube
- The production team is finally making it obvious, LOL. It wasn’t like this before.
- Also, the episode had a detective concept, and everyone came dressed for it. Why did she show up alone wearing something random? Even during the tomato game, it was questionable, but this is worse. Even when it was her turn, she just kept repeating “I was only thinking about drawing” over and over, couldn’t respond to Ji Suk Jin’s teasing at all, and just kept repeating what he said like a parrot… It’s seriously bad.
- When Ji Suk Jin asked if she was drawing a fish, she should’ve at least exaggerated or played it up to make it funny, but she just let it slide. Doesn’t she feel bad getting paid that much per episode?
- It’s because she drinks so much. All that alcohol and your brain functions decline.
- Ever since the tomato game, it’s obvious her cognitive ability has dropped a lot because of drinking. That’s why members on her team get their screen time cut. The others are trying to create moments, but she’s just blanking out, unable to focus, or just staring at her phone…
- The way she forgets and then acts all high and mighty about it… You can tell her personality. I bet after the shoot, she called up Yoo Jae Suk all mad that Ji Suk Jin called her drawing a fish.
- She doesn’t try, can’t focus, drinks every day… Then shows up hungover, half-asleep during filming, saying nonsense… must be nice living that comfortably.
- It’s frustrating. Even if she forgot, she should at least make it funny, but she just gets irritated. And they keep casting someone like that in a variety show. How is that supposed to work?
Previously, Song Ji Hyo also faced backlash during the “Run & Fun Company: Spin the Roulette” special, where she reportedly appeared for only about 10 seconds in a 90-minute broadcast. At the time, she was mostly shown in group shots or reaction cuts rather than leading moments.
Public Calls For Song Ji Hyo To Leave “Running Man”
As debates over her screen time and engagement persist, attention is now focused on how Song Ji Hyo will address and overcome the ongoing controversy.
Watch the full clip here: