Running Man Welcomes New Member Ji Ye-eun Ahead of 15th Anniversary

As 'Running Man' approaches its 15th anniversary next year, the show has officially announced the addition of actress Ji Ye-eun to its cast. Following the introduction of a rental system earlier this year, fans are curious about how the show will evolve with this new member.

In a recent phone interview with OSEN, Chief Producer Choi Hyung-in discussed Ji Ye-eun's joining and the future direction of 'Running Man'. The show first aired in July 2010, marking its 14th year this year, making it the longest-running real variety show currently on air. Choi Hyung-in took over as chief producer in August 2022, succeeding Choi Bo-pil.

The most notable change recently is Ji Ye-eun's official membership. She joins as the first new female member in a year, following Jeon So-min's departure in November last year. Although she had been appearing regularly without any formal announcement, she was officially recognized as a member starting from the broadcast on December 22.

There has also been a gap among the male members, as Lee Kwang-soo left the show in 2021, leaving a four-year absence of a fixed male cast member. The introduction of Kang Hoon as a rental member has generated buzz, especially with his chemistry with Ji Ye-eun as the 'New Monday Couple'.

Choi Hyung-in commented on Ji Ye-eun's integration, stating, "We didn’t explicitly label her as an 'official member' in the subtitles. She naturally became part of the team. There have been many comments asking if Ji Ye-eun is a fixed member, and I think it’s safe to say she is now part of the family."

He expressed optimism about Ji Ye-eun's contributions, noting her good rapport with all the members, including Ha Ha, Ji Suk-jin, Yang Se-chan, Kim Jong-kook, and Song Ji-hyo.

Following Ji Ye-eun's official membership, there is also interest in Kang Hoon's status as a rental member. Choi explained, "The rental member system was initiated because many of our guests have busy schedules that prevent them from being fixed members. They come when they can, treating it like family. Ji Ye-eun's joining doesn’t mean the rental system is ending; we can still invite others we want to see through this system."

He added, "Kang Hoon is welcome to join whenever his schedule allows. We hope he can participate more extensively after finishing his current project. The rental system will continue alongside Ji Ye-eun's membership."

Choi Hyung-in emphasized the importance of supporting Ji Ye-eun, saying, "I want to convey that we should take good care of her. She reads all the comments, so please leave positive messages and support her."

Looking ahead to the 15th anniversary of 'Running Man', Choi mentioned, "We would like to go abroad, but given the current circumstances, we need to consider it carefully. I will be able to provide more details next year."

Regarding the type of humor they aim to present, he stated, "After 14 years, we’ve shown a lot, but I believe providing comfortable laughter is key. We won’t force anything; instead, we’ll focus on the chemistry among the members, Ji Ye-eun, and new faces to bring vitality to the show. We’re not aiming for something drastically new, but rather a relaxed atmosphere."