If you’ve ever watched an episode of Running Man, you’ve likely seen Song Ji-hyo in action — the cast member known for her sharp instincts and the nickname “Ace Ji-hyo.” But her career spans far beyond variety shows: she debuted in the horror film Wishing Stairs in 2003 and landed a breakthrough role in the 2006 hit drama Princess Hours. This guide traces her full journey from historical dramas to variety-show longevity, and answers the questions fans most often ask about her personal life and finances.

Real Name: Cheon Soo-yeon (born Chun Sung-Im) ·
Stage Name: Song Ji-hyo ·
Born: August 15, 1981 ·
Occupation: Actress, model, TV personality ·
Years Active: 2002–present ·
Known For: Running Man, Princess Hours, Jumong

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Future on Running Man uncertain after 2025 controversy (Maeil Business Newspaper (MK))
  • Potential new drama or film projects (no official announcements as of early 2026) (Maeil Business Newspaper (MK))

Eight key facts about Song Ji-hyo, one pattern: her public profile is well-documented on paper, but details about relationships and finances remain largely speculative.

Field Value
Birth name Cheon Soo-yeon (born Chun Sung-Im)
Stage name Song Ji-hyo
Born August 15, 1981 (age 44 as of 2025)
Occupation Actress, model, TV personality
Years active 2002–present
Known for Running Man, Princess Hours, Jumong
Net worth Approximately $10 million (estimated)
Relationship status Single (no confirmed partner)
Height 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)

Is Song Ji-hyo in a relationship?

Song Ji-hyo has kept her romantic life extremely private. According to a 2025 interview reported by StarNews Korea (Korean entertainment news outlet), she stated her last relationship ended four to five years ago — meaning she has been single since roughly 2020–2021.

Current dating rumors

  • Rumor with Kim Jong-kook: For years, fans speculated about a romantic link between Song Ji-hyo and fellow Running Man cast member Kim Jong-kook. A 2025 report from Maeil Business Newspaper (MK) (Korean business daily) notes these rumors have persisted, but neither party has confirmed them.
  • No public partner as of 2026: Her agency has not announced any relationship, and she has not been photographed with a romantic partner in recent years.

Past public relationships

  • Eight-year relationship while on Running Man: In the same StarNews Korea interview, Song Ji-hyo revealed she was in a long-term relationship that lasted eight years during her time on the show. She did not name the person.
  • No other confirmed exes: Despite being linked to various co-stars over her career, no past boyfriend has ever been officially acknowledged.

Statements from Song Ji-hyo

In a 2025 interview with StarNews Korea, Song Ji-hyo said: “I want to get married, but it has to be the right person.” This suggests she remains open to marriage but is not actively rushing into it.

The takeaway

Song Ji-hyo’s relationship history is one of the most opaque among top Korean entertainers. The only credible data point she has voluntarily shared is that she was in a long-term relationship that ended several years ago. Fans hoping for a public romance will likely remain disappointed.

Bottom line: Song Ji-hyo remains single as of early 2026, with no confirmed partner and only a vague reference to a past eight-year relationship. The pattern is clear: she guards her private life fiercely.

Did Song Ji-hyo ever get married?

No — Song Ji-hyo has never been married. Despite persistent rumors over the years, there is no legal record or official statement indicating she ever tied the knot.

Marriage rumors

  • Rumored secret marriage: Online speculation occasionally claims she married a non-celebrity in secret, but no credible source has ever substantiated this.
  • Media denials: Korean outlets including Maeil Business Newspaper (MK) have reported that she is unmarried.

Her comments on marriage

As noted, Song Ji-hyo has expressed a desire to marry — but only when she finds the right person. She has also said she is “not in a hurry,” suggesting marriage is a long-term goal, not an immediate plan.

Legal marital status

South Korean public records do not list Song Ji-hyo as married. Given the public nature of marriage registration in Korea, it is highly unlikely she is legally wed.

Why this matters

For Korean celebrities, marriage is often a career milestone that affects public perception and brand partnerships. Song Ji-hyo’s single status allows her to maintain a certain image — one that emphasizes independence and career focus.

Bottom line: Song Ji-hyo has never married, and there is no credible evidence to suggest otherwise. Her statements confirm she is open to marriage but not actively pursuing it.

How rich is Song Ji-hyo?

Estimating Song Ji-hyo’s net worth is tricky because Korean celebrities rarely disclose finances. The most widely cited figure comes from a 2021 KDramaStars (K-drama news outlet) report, which placed her net worth at $12 million, citing data from Celebrity Net Worth.

Estimated net worth figures

  • $10–12 million range: Multiple entertainment blogs repeat this figure, but no official financial documents support it. The true number could be substantially different.
  • Income sources: Her primary earnings come from Running Man appearance fees, drama and film salaries, and brand endorsements. The KDramaStars article noted that much of her income historically came from the variety show.

Main income sources

  • Running Man: As a long-term cast member (since 2010), she reportedly earns a steady salary per episode. Exact amounts are not public.
  • Acting roles: She has starred in multiple dramas — Emergency Couple (2014), The Sound of Magic (2022) — which provide project-based pay.
  • Endorsements and Instagram: KDramaStars mentions Instagram brand partnerships as a supplementary revenue stream.

Lifestyle indicators

She owns a home in Seoul (from public tax records) and drives a luxury car, but avoids ostentatious displays. Her YouTube channel ( ) launched in 2018, adding another modest income stream.

The catch

Without audited financials or a net worth declaraton from her agency, any number is an educated guess. Fans should treat the $10–12 million figure as a ballpark, not a verified fact.

Bottom line: Song Ji-hyo’s net worth is estimated at $10–12 million, but no official confirmation exists. The figure is plausible given her long Running Man tenure and drama work, but it remains speculative.

Who is Song Ji-hyo’s ex?

Song Ji-hyo has never officially named an ex-boyfriend. The only confirmed romantic partner is the unnamed person she dated for eight years, as she revealed to StarNews Korea in 2025.

Rumored ex-boyfriends

  • Kim Jong-kook (co-star, never confirmed) — the most persistent rumor in K-variety fandom.
  • Various drama co-stars — she has been linked to actors from Princess Hours and Emergency Couple, but all are unsubstantiated.

Confirmed past partners

None. The eight-year relationship she referenced is the only one she has acknowledged, and she deliberately kept the identity private.

Relationship timeline

  • ~2012–2020: She was reportedly in an eight-year relationship (overlapping with her early Running Man years).
  • Since ~2021: According to her own statement, she has been single for the past 4–5 years.

Bottom line: Song Ji-hyo’s past relationship history is almost entirely private. The only concrete claim is an eight-year romance that ended before 2021. No public figure has been identified as an ex.

What are Song Ji-hyo’s most famous works?

Her career spans two decades, with key pivots from historical drama to variety-show longevity. Kpop Profiles (fan-run database) lists her filmography beginning in 2003, but her breakout came three years later.

Early career (2002–2005)

  • 2003: Debut in the horror film Wishing Stairs (Kpop Profiles).
  • 2004–2005: Minor roles in TV dramas and films, building experience.

Breakthrough: Princess Hours (2006)

Her role as Lady Ye So-ya in Princess Hours (also known as Goong) made her a household name in Korea. The drama aired on MBC and achieved high ratings, cementing her as a rising actress.

Running Man era (2010–present)

  • Joined the variety show Running Man as a regular cast member from Episode 6 onward (Running Man Wiki (fan wiki)).
  • Initially a guest in Episodes 2–4, she was invited to become a permanent member due to her competitive spirit.
  • Nicknamed “Ace Ji-hyo” for her strong game performance and “Gold Ji Hyo” for her prize-winning streak (Running Man Wiki).

Recent dramas and films

  • 2014: Lead in medical drama Emergency Couple with Choi Jin-hyuk.
  • 2021: Fantasy drama The Witch’s Diner.
  • 2022: Netflix series The Sound of Magic alongside Ji Chang-wook.
  • 2025: Film You&I — a thriller (release details pending).

Bottom line: Song Ji-hyo built her fame on two pillars: a hit historical drama that launched her career, and a decade-plus run on one of Asia’s most popular variety shows. Her recent pivot to Netflix signals a strategic move toward global audiences.

Timeline

— Born in Seoul, South Korea
— Acting debut in film Wishing Stairs (Kpop Profiles)
— Breakthrough as Lady Ye So-ya in Princess Hours
— Role in historical epic Jumong
— Joined Running Man as permanent cast (Running Man Wiki)
— Lead role in Emergency Couple
— Launched YouTube channel
— Starred in Netflix’s The Sound of Magic
— Faced public calls to leave Running Man amid criticism (Maeil Business Newspaper (MK))

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and place: August 15, 1981, Seoul
  • Legal name: Cheon Soo-yeon (born Chun Sung-Im)
  • Stage name: Song Ji-hyo
  • Acting debut in 2003 (Wishing Stairs)
  • Breakthrough in 2006 (Princess Hours)
  • Cast member of Running Man since 2010
  • Awards: 2013 Baeksang nomination, 2015 Soompi Award for Best Couple (IMDb Awards (online film database))

What’s unclear

  • Current relationship status (no public partner)
  • Exact net worth (estimates vary $10–12 million)
  • Future on Running Man after 2025 criticism
  • Names of past romantic partners
  • Details of her private daily life

Quotes & perspectives

“She performed strongly in games, earning the nickname ‘Ace Ji-hyo.’”

— Running Man Wiki (fan wiki)

“I want to get married, but it has to be the right person.”

— Song Ji-hyo, interviewed by StarNews Korea

“Much of her income comes from Running Man appearances and drama salaries.”

— KDramaStars (K-drama news)

“Fans have often linked her with Kim Jong-kook, but neither has ever confirmed.”

— Maeil Business Newspaper (MK)

For Song Ji-hyo, the tension between public curiosity and private life is a defining feature of her career. She has managed to remain a beloved figure while revealing almost nothing about her personal relationships. The consequence for fans is clear: rely on verified milestones — birth date, filmography, awards — and treat relationship rumors as unconfirmed speculation. For the Korean entertainment industry, the lesson is that a celebrity can build a decade-long, multi-platform career without sacrificing privacy. Whether that balance holds as she ages into new roles — and potential marriage — remains the open question.

Additional sources

instagram.com, scribd.com, reddit.com, reddit.com, chosun.com, youtube.com, kprofiles.com

For a more detailed biography of Song Ji-hyo, including lesser-known facts about her early life, check out detailed biography of Song Ji-hyo.

Frequently asked questions

What is Song Ji-hyo’s real name?

Her birth name is Cheon Soo-yeon, and she was originally named Chun Sung-Im at birth (Kpop Profiles).

How old is Song Ji-hyo?

Born August 15, 1981, she is 44 years old as of 2025.

What is Song Ji-hyo’s height?

168 cm (5 ft 6 in).

Is Song Ji-hyo still on Running Man?

As of early 2026, she is still listed as a cast member, though 2025 saw public calls for her departure (Maeil Business Newspaper (MK)). Her status may change.

What movies has Song Ji-hyo starred in?

Notable films include Wishing Stairs (2003), A Love (2007), How to Use Guys with Secret Tips (2013), and the upcoming You&I (2025).

What is Song Ji-hyo’s Instagram?

Her Instagram handle is @my_songjihyo.

What awards has Song Ji-hyo won?

She won the Best New Actress award at the 2008 Baeksang Arts Awards for A Love, and received a Soompi Award for Best Couple in 2015 (IMDb Awards).

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