We Need More Women Like Song Ji Hyo

One thing that set Running Man apart from similar shows like Infinite Challenge was that there was a female there to balance out the men. Now that Ji Hyo's leaving, I really wish the Running Man producers will make one thing right with the new season and add another female. Obviously not to replace her entirely since Ji Hyo is a unique human being, but any new woman who is added has some big shoes to fill, and here's why:

1. Jihyo has a totally different image.

Most girls and women in the Korean entertainment industry are rarely seen without makeup, and often take extreme measures to make themselves thin. Jihyo on the other hand usually wears sporty clothes and no makeup on the show, and was filmed several times sleepy, groggy, or wrestling in the mud. All of these make her so much more relatable as a human being and not just as a pretty woman and I really hope we continue to see that side of her in her future shows. I'm sick and tired of seeing the typical K-drama trope of clingy girl squealing "oppaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!~" or naggy, manipulative, and possibly evil mother-in-law/stepmother/auntie. If a new girl joins, she has to be willing to put aside that glamorous image and show the human side of herself.

This, my friends, is the real Song Ji Hyo.

2. She's like one of the guys but has her own feminine charm. 

There have been a few times where Jihyo has dressed pretty and the guys were genuinely impressed, but they don't sexualize or objectify her like they do with young female idols who are 20-30 years younger than them *cough* Seolhyun *cough* TWICE. Now this is the type of relationship I'd like with my platonic male friends - they'll mostly see me wearing casual clothes, so it's all the more beautiful and refreshing for their eyes when I dress nice occasionally.

Because how often do Jong Kook and Jihyo get to see each other dressed as nice as this?

Pretty woman indeed.

More fab than you'll ever be.

3. Jihyo holds her own against the guys. 

In fact, she's even shown to be stronger than most of the guys save for Gary and Jongkook. One thing that bothered me a little though was she's won so many times that sometimes I wonder whether she really is that overpowered or whether the guys give her an unfair advantage because she's a woman - I think it's a bit of both. What's surprising is that I find her and Haha to be the most evenly matched in terms of brute strength. They're around the same size so that's a factor. Here are some of my favourite Jihyo vs. Haha battles:

Ep 285

Ep 167

And let's not forget about the time she took on MMA fighter Choo Sung Hoon, being the only one left on the Running Man team. Sure she didn't really have a choice but she gave her all and lost fair and square. Most girls would probably either give up or attempt to seduce oppa to let them win. Jihyo doesn't do any of that.

Bad. Ass.

4. Jihyo isn't afraid to show her vulnerability. 

For a show as funny as Running Man, there have been a few emotional moments, at least on Jihyo's part. Meanwhile I don't recall seeing any of the guys ever crying except for Kwangsoo and Song Joongki when the latter was filming his goodbye. This is probably because, as mentioned in my first article, men are socialized to hold back their tears, while women are more free to display their emotions. As tough as Jihyo is, it's good to see her human side.

 

When she cried in fear during ep 285. 

Crying after she and Gary finish their couple lifts. (ep 301)

Voicing her doubts to the younger brother she "bullied". (ep 295)

A more recent pic of her saying goodbye to Gary (ep 324)

Of course, it's going to take a long time for the new woman, if there is one, to reach that same level of trust as Jihyo did with Kwangsoo, Gary, and the rest, to be regarded as a member in the whole and not just a pretty girl, to set aside that image of beauty and perfection and show her vulnerable and weird side. Hopefully the new season will last long and give the new members enough time to create similar tight and lasting bonds, and then maybe I'll have faith in Running Man again.