Ji Ye-eun Joins ‘Running Man’ as an Official Member After 6 Months of Winning Fans Over!

Actress Ji Ye-eun has officially become a permanent member of SBS’s long-running variety show 'Running Man.'

The announcement was made during the December 22(KST) broadcast of the show, which featured a special "So Cool Year-End Running Party" episode where the cast embarked on a two-day, one-night trip to Hoengseong, Gangwon Province.

During the episode, Yoo Jae-suk addressed Ji Ye-eun, saying, "You’ve been with us for a few months now, since June, right? Programs like ours with long histories and dedicated memberships can be sensitive about changes in the cast." He added, "But you’ve done really well since you joined. You’ve brought fresh energy to our program," offering her words of encouragement. Kim Jong-kook chimed in with a playful comment, "You just need to share a little bit of your appearance fee with us."

This officially confirmed Ji Ye-eun’s status as a permanent member of 'Running Man.' Expressing her thoughts, Ji Ye-eun said, "It’s an honor to join such a long-running program. Whenever people asked me where I’d like to appear as a celebrity, I always said 'Running Man.'" She also delighted the cast and audience with an impromptu a cappella dance performance to Girls’ Generation’s 'The Boys.'

The show faced a vacancy in November of last year when Jeon So-min, a long-time cast member, departed. Ji Ye-eun initially filled in through a temporary "guest member system" alongside actor Kang Hoon. While Kang Hoon left the show due to his drama filming schedule, Ji Ye-eun continued to participate, building chemistry with the existing cast.

Since its debut in 2010, 'Running Man' has sustained its reputation as a unique, long-running variety program. However, the show’s strong international fanbase means cast changes are often met with resistance, and new members frequently face backlash. Ji Ye-eun was no exception, receiving harsh comments on social media that led her to temporarily close her comment section.

Despite the challenges, Ji Ye-eun has proven her place on the show over the past six months, establishing a clear role and character dynamic within the cast. Fans are increasingly welcoming her addition, and anticipation is high to see how Ji Ye-eun will further contribute as an official member of 'Running Man.'