"Running Man" stars Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo's closeness both on and off screen has everybody speculating there might be a possible romantic relationship brewing between the two.
The pair drew suspicions with their actions on recent episodes of the SBS variety show, causing the rest of the cast to playfully ask if they are dating. As Yoo Jae Sook pointed out on Jan. 14's episode, Kim and Song have been hanging out together more often recently, even at the 2017 SBS Entertainment Awards.
Fans have since given the two nicknames, with most calling them the "SpartAce" couple (Sparta-Kook and Running Man Ace Ji Hyo).
THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU'RE JUST CASUALLY WATCHING THE RUNNING MAN EPISODES THAT YOU MISSED THEN YOU NOTICE THIS!!! JONGKOOK AND JIHYO WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!!!!!! HAHA AND WHY AM I JUST NOTICING THIS NOW #SPARTACE pic.twitter.com/Z2XX0NU9tQ
— Seraphine" data-caption="null" data-credit="null">And O. M. G. !!! Unnie, don't tease my #SpartAce heart like that." data-caption="null" data-credit="null">
Now, the variety show's program director Jung Chul Min is finally addressing those rumors. He verified that Jong Kook and Ji Hyo do "hang out privately," but the two are close to begin with, which may be the reason why the rumors started. The show never forced them to be an on-screen couple. "If there's a suspicious feeling on set while filming, we just try to capture the members' reactions," he explained.
The PD admitted he thinks giving Ji Hyo another love team would be "burdensome" to the actress. Followers of the show are aware she was already a part of "Monday Couple" with former "Running Man" star Kang Gary before he left the show earlier last year.
"Some viewers say that they're sick of love lines, but we can't hide what happens," he continued. "[Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji Hyo] are definitely not putting on a show or anything like that. What you see is really all there is."
my #SpartAce heart" data-caption="null" data-credit="null">
Song and Kim have simply laughed off the allegations. Confident that the two are simply good friends, co-star Ji Suk Jin even joked betting his entire fortune in a previous episode that "SpartAce" is not dating.
"Running Man" airs Sundays, 6:20 p.m. KST, on SBS.
