Top 10 Fascinating Facts About South Korean Actress Song Ji Hyo

Since joining Running Man, Song Ji Hyo has earned countless nicknames, ranging from cute to humorous. Some of her most famous aliases include: The Ace, Mong Ji, Blank Ji, Ji the Rogue, Golden Hand, and Goddess of Luck. She also revealed that as a child, her nickname was Chupa Chupschi, due to her oversized head. Additionally, her fellow cast members often jokingly called her by the names 'Cheon Seong Im' or 'Cheon Soo Yeon'—a playful reference from Jaesuk.

Fans also refer to her as 'Blank Ji-hyo' or 'Mong Ji' (by Jae-suk), because sometimes her face can appear blank or clueless during certain moments in the game. She’s also famously known for her 'Golden Hand' and 'Goddess of Luck' titles, as her luck is unrivaled compared to the other members. Another nickname, 'Ji the Rogue,' came about due to her fiery temper—once she gets upset, even her closest friends or older male cast members can’t escape her wrath.

As the only female member of Running Man, Song Ji Hyo never allows herself to be overshadowed. In fact, she’s often referred to as the 'Ace' of the show due to her strength, intelligence, and sharp instincts. Despite being a woman, she has consistently demonstrated her toughness, always ready to face even the toughest challenges. When it comes to polls on the 'Most Courageous Member of Running Man,' Song Ji Hyo often ranks among the top, surpassing even the older male members like Jae Suk, Suk Jin, and Ha Ha, and standing on par with Jong Kook.

Not only does she compete fiercely against the men on the show, but she’s also fearless when it comes to extreme sports. During a special episode filmed in Macau, while male guest Lee Dong Wook needed an entire hour to muster the courage, Song Ji Hyo casually jumped off a 233-meter-high bungee platform without a second thought. She even screamed in exhilaration as the cheering crowd below erupted in excitement. That night, after the episode aired, her fan following on social media exploded, with many fans flocking to her pages and becoming true admirers of her fearless spirit.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Song Ji Hyo is one of the most natural idols, often seen without makeup. Her images of disheveled hair and sleepy eyes in the morning have become quite familiar to the online community. Unlike other celebrities who may be criticized for looking less glamorous without makeup, Song Ji Hyo frequently receives positive feedback for her smooth skin and big eyes, even without any makeup or mascara. She is unafraid of looking 'imperfect' and always appears relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.

Moreover, Ji Hyo wins over fans with her warm and caring heart. Viewers often notice that whenever a female guest appears on the show, Song Ji Hyo steps back to let them shine, especially the younger cast members. One memorable moment was when Hani (from EXID) was rolling the dice without realizing she was about to trip, and Song Ji Hyo immediately reached out to support her, showing a kindness that deeply moved EXID fans and Hani's own followers.

It’s a well-known fact that in Running Man, there’s a 'sleepy worm,' and that’s none other than Song Ji Hyo. At any time and on any battlefield, 'Mợ Ngố' (the innocent one) can casually fall asleep, no matter how many cameras are surrounding her. Fans of Running Man are undoubtedly familiar with her love for sleep. Despite the many cameras around her, if there’s a chance, Ji Hyo will nap anywhere, anytime. In fact, during episode 178, she caused a bit of a stir when she fell asleep peacefully on top of a 30-meter-high Jenga tower, even as the other members were busy discussing their strategy below.

The nation's MC also revealed that the reason Song Ji Hyo was invited to join Running Man was because she had impressed the show’s producer with her expert napping skills. Yoo Jae Suk shared that she was invited for her talent in finding the best spots to sleep. Additionally, during the 2021 AAA Awards in Seoul, a camera caught Ji Hyo dozing off, and when her name was called, she startled awake, quickly stood up, and made her way to the stage with a slightly embarrassed, confused smile.

In contrast to Kwang Soo, who is known for his 'bad luck,' Song Ji Hyo is a natural when it comes to games of chance. Her luck reached its peak in episode 209, when she correctly guessed the number of stones in all three rounds of a rock game, with a 100% success rate. The other members often jokingly call her 'Keum Ji Hyo' or 'Ji Hyo the Golden One,' as she seems to always win when the prize involves gold. Whether it’s the golden egg in Hong Kong, the gold medal from Park Ji Sung, or the golden turtle from the special episode in Vietnam, Song Ji Hyo consistently takes home the gold, much to the envy of the other members.

Her uncanny ability to win gold-related prizes has earned her the titles 'Gold Ji Hyo' and 'Golden Hand' among Running Man fans. Her luck is almost miraculous, a source of awe for both the cast and the viewers. In fact, it’s her luck that has saved the whole Running Man crew. In episode 316, the members needed to play a pirate game to escape from a prison, and thanks to Ji Hyo’s good fortune, the entire team successfully made it out.

As the only female regular member on Running Man, it’s no surprise that Song Ji Hyo had numerous lovelines on the show. These include the Song-Song couple with Song Joong Ki, Spartace with Kim Jong Kook, and KwangMong with Lee Kwang Soo. But the most famous loveline was probably the Monday Couple with Gary, who was affectionately dubbed the 'calm' one. This pairing caused quite a stir during its run, and when Gary left the show, fans were heartbroken as the Monday Couple came to an end. Additionally, Song Ji Hyo has had numerous other lovelines with male guests, such as Lee Dong Wook, Park Seo Joon, Kim Dong Jun, and Lee Jong Suk—too many to count. What’s interesting is that all these lovelines have been warmly supported by the audience.

Recently, the Spartace couple, consisting of Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook, has become the most popular pairing on Running Man, with fans constantly 'shipping' them. Not only do they make a perfect match, but their sweet gestures toward each other on the show haven’t gone unnoticed. Even though both of them have denied any romantic connection, their latest actions on Running Man have only fueled the fans' desire to see them together.