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Song Ji Hyo: The Running Woman

SINGAPORE — Song Ji Hyo may not know it, but she’s totally one of us. Really.

SINGAPORE — Song Ji Hyo may not know it, but she’s totally one of us. Really.

Personality-wise, the Running Man cast member — who was in town with her cast-mates Gary, Haha, Kim Jong Kook and Jee Seok Jin for Watsons Race Start! in Singapore — could have been a Singaporean separated at birth.

Not only was the 32-year-old South Korean celebrity looking forward to tasting the requisite chilli crab, her signature facial expression that earned her the on-screen nickname “Blank Ji” matches the description of a favourite Singaporean archetype perfectly: The Sotong.

But since she’s Running Man’s rose among its thorns, it’s apt that she’s a mysterious contradiction. The Princess Hours and Jumong actress may be a “blur queen”, but her other nickname is “the Ace” — because she wins a lot of challenges. And pity the hapless fool who dares to stand between her and Running Man victory.

“She is not a woman. Sometimes she is stronger than us,” said Kim Jong Kook, in English.

That’s where the latent Singaporean in Song surfaces again — rearing its kiasu head.

Q: How does it feel to be the most popular member of the cast?

A: Am I? (Laughs) It probably feels like that because I’m the only female in the cast, but I never really felt that I was the most popular one. It’s always great to be, though. But for Running Man I always try to blend well into the family and try my best.

Q: How do you manage to still look good while running around on the show? Any tips?

A: No, I never really try to look pretty on the show. I think it’s best to do your best while you’re in the moment, so I don’t think about running prettily or anything like that. I think the viewers know that whenever I try to do that, it doesn’t really look good on the show. And I think they appreciate the side of me that’s always trying my best in whatever I’m doing. So that’s the way in which I show my best side.

Q: You are very competitive in the Running Man challenges. Are you like that in real life as well?

A: I love sports so competitiveness has always been in me and I always want to win. Actually, it’s not that I always want to win – it’s more that I don’t want to lose. It’s a little different!

Q: You’ve won the most amount of gold. Do you keep it or sell it?

A: It’s all on display at home. But these days I give it to the guests. Even if I win a prize, it’s not the same any more.

Q: Since each episode is a physical workout, have you lost weight since becoming a cast member?

A: We film once a week and even though what you see on screen is an hour and a half, we film for about ten hours on average. So that regular weekly workout definitely makes a difference. I never lost weight – nor did I gain weight – but I gained a lot of muscle. At the same time, I eat a lot because there is so much physical activity. I think it’s helped me to balance and maintain my weight. So, because I eat a lot, I don’t really lose weight, but I don’t gain weight, either.

Q: What is it like to be the only girl in the cast – are you the voice of reason when the guys are being too silly? Are you like their mum?

A: This is a tough one. When there is a conflict, we are the kind of people who comfort each other and show understanding, and say, “It’s okay, we’ll do better next time”. A little bit of support here and there, instead of really going into detail about who was right or who was wrong. It’s a family so we tend to cover up for each other. Everyone’s like that in Running Man.

Q: Which other cast member would you want on your side in a pinch?

A: All of them. It really feels like a family now. I can’t pick one person who will always be there for me because we are all family. Everyone’s there for one another, supporting one another. It’s always been like that because we spend so much time together.

Q: As one half of the Monday Couple, what’s your relationship with Gary like in real life?

A: For the three years that I’ve been in Running Man, we’ve never had a private meal. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. You look a little disappointed! (Laughs)

Q: What is the most memorable thing you have done on the show?

A: Every episode is special and memorable. When I watch the episodes, I relive what I was feeling at that particular moment. Each episode is special in that way. But if you ask me to pick one particular moment, well, whenever we go overseas and see the foreign fans, it feels special. Also, whenever I win, it’s memorable! (Laughs)

Catch Running Man on Fridays at 11.45pm on ONE (SingTel mio TV Ch 513 and 604; StarHub TV Ch 124, 820, 823 and 876).

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