SBS’ “Running Man,” which aired on December 22, featured the special episode “So Cool Running Man Year-End Party,” during which the cast went on a two-day trip to Hoengseong, Gangwon-do.
During the episode, Yoo Jae-suk addressed Ji Ye-eun: “How many months have you been with us? You’ve been here since June, right? For a long-running show like ours with established members, we are sensitive to changes in the lineup.”
He added “You’ve done so well since you joined. You brought new energy to our program”, praising his contribution. Kim Jong-kook jokingly chimed in: “You just need to share part of your appearance fee with us.“
This actually served as the official announcement of Ji Ye-eun’s addition as a regular cast member of “Running Man.”
Ji Ye-eun shared her thoughts: “It’s an honor to participate in such a long-running show. When people asked me “What show would you like to be on?”, I always said “Running Man”.She then entertained everyone with an a cappella dance performance to Girls’ Generation’s “The Boys,” bringing laughter to the set.
After Jeon So-min resigned from the show in November last year, “Running Man” had a vacancy in its cast. Ji Ye-eun initially filled this gap as host, along with Kang Hoon, who joined under a temporary member system. While Kang Hoon later left to focus on his acting projects, Ji Ye-eun continued to appear on the show, building chemistry with the existing members.
Because “Running Man” has been on the air for 14 years since its debut in 2010, it holds a unique status as a “longevity variety show.”
The program has a dedicated international fan base, which makes cast changes a particularly sensitive issue. Ji Ye-eun initially faced criticism from fans, with harsh comments on SNS prompting her to disable comments on her account.
However, over the course of six months, Ji Ye-eun has consistently showcased her unique role and character within the “Running Man” cast, winning more and more fans. With her official announcement as a regular member, expectations are high for what Ji Ye-eun will bring to the show from now on.
