After her long-time Running Man partner Kim Jong-kook tied the knot, actress Song Ji-hyo has found herself facing a wave of questions about her own love life especially, “When will you get married?”
In a recent interview, the 44-year-old actress made headlines with her refreshingly honest answer: “Right now, I don’t want to get married. I have absolutely no plans to.”
Song Ji-hyo revealed that between the ages of 25 and 30, she faced tremendous pressure from her parents to settle down. Her mother often arranged blind dates, hoping to find her a suitable match.
But the actress confessed she despised the experience. After a heated argument with her parents over being pushed into marriage, she decided to leave home for an entire week to find peace.
Reflecting on that moment, she shared: “Forcing yourself to meet people through blind dates is truly painful.”
When asked about Kim Jong-kook’s recent marriage, Song Ji-hyo admitted she felt “a little empty.” Despite years of playful romantic tension on Running Man, she made it clear their relationship was purely platonic: “It’s just the show’s effect. We think of each other as family.”
With a touch of humor, she added: “Everyone I’ve been rumored to date has ended up getting married!”
According to Baijiahao, Song Ji-hyo now faces career challenges related to age and the entertainment industry’s gender gap.
In 2016, she appeared on Running Man for an average of 12 minutes and 37 seconds per episode. By 2024, her screen time reportedly dropped to just 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
National data from South Korea shows that for female entertainers over 30, casting invitations drop by 67%, and unemployment among women past 35 rises to 23%.
While many of her peers have shifted focus to family life or behind-the-scenes work, Song Ji-hyo continues to stay active in variety shows, acting, and business.
In 2022, Song Ji Hyo launched her own lingerie brand a project she had been developing for eight years. She personally participated in production and modeling, yet business has been slow, with reportedly only one or two orders a day.
Still, the actress remains determined: “My goal isn’t to make money. I just want to feel the joy of achieving something on my own.”
Despite the challenges, Song Ji-hyo continues to juggle filming, variety appearances, and her brand management, proudly stating: “Work makes me feel free.”
Song Ji-hyo’s story reflects the struggles many women face between societal expectations and personal freedom and her courage in choosing independence continues to inspire fans across generations.
Sources: Kenh14,Baijiahao
Related Articles
