Actress Song Ji Hyo attends the Burberry Seoul Flagship Store Opening Event on October 15, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo : Getty Images/Hang Myung-Gu)
"Running Man" is under fire after the production team gave Song Ji Hyo a punishment that forced her to face her worst fears. Netizens criticized the SBS show's staff members for taking advantage of the actress' insect phobia.
Among the cast of the said SBS variety program, Song is considered one of the strongest members given her fearlessness and determination. Over the years, avid "Running Man" viewers witnessed the actress take on challenges that even her fellow cast members were hesitant to do such as bungee jumping.
Despite the South Korean celebrity's willingness to try new things, Song also has limitations and personal fears. One of these fears is handling bugs or being near insects.
In the recent "Running Man" episode, Song was forced to touch crawling insects as part of the production team's challenge for Haha. With an episode focused on the musician and his inability to make quick decisions, he was tasked to choose a cast member to save during a specific timeframe.
The action will also identify who among Haha's co-stars will complete a grueling challenge in case they were not chosen. For Song, staff members prepared a glass box full of large centipede-like insects with a small side opening where the actress' hand will be forced to enter.
Song looked distressed and was teary-eyed during the said challenge as the box neared her hand, which was strapped to a table, while Haha remained indecisive whether he should save her, Kim Jong Kook or Lee Kwang Soo. The musician may have chosen the actress but she was visibly shaken by the experience and even stumbled several times as she ran away from the insect-filled box.
Concern netizens slammed the "Running Man" production team for subjecting Song to a torturous condition, Koreaboo reported. Many fans stated that the punishment was too much given Song's phobia, while others questioned whether there was something wrong with the SBS show's staff for coming up with missions that played on the casts' sufferings for entertainment.
In other news, Yoo Jae Suk might file a legal case against individuals who are spreading rumors about his allegedly confirmed participation in the SBS show's upcoming Taiwan fan meeting and other promotional activities. In an announcement released by the comedian's agency, as obtained by Yonhap News, FNC Entertainment clarified that the said rumors were false since Yoo will not be able to join the event due to his busy schedule and to avoid companies who claimed that they were authorized to represent the South Korean celebrity.
"Running Man" airs every Sunday on SBS, while the show's Taiwan fan meeting will be held on Feb. 10, Friday. Watch Song's insect challenge in the clip below:
