Why (G)I-DLE's Miyeon is Called a 'Trusted Guest' After Her 5th Appearance on 'Running Man'

Miyeon, the main vocalist of the K-pop group (G)I-DLE, has once again proven her presence as a "trusted guest" by making her fifth appearance on the SBS variety show 'Running Man,' even though she is not a fixed member of the cast. Setting aside her primary role as a powerhouse vocalist for a moment, she showcased her versatility through dance, variety skills, and even a trot performance, eventually earning the top star rating from an artificial intelligence (AI) during the broadcast, demonstrating her incredible chemistry with the program.

In the episode of SBS 'Running Man' aired on the 6th, Miyeon appeared as a guest for the 'Irrefutable AI Pick' race, alongside actress Lee Ju-yeon and entertainer Heo Kyung-hwan. It caught the attention of viewers that Miyeon, who is not a regular cast member, has returned to 'Running Man' for the fifth time, signaling that she is a guest the production team repeatedly seeks whenever they need a reliable participant rather than just a one-off guest.

From the opening, Miyeon's adaptability to variety shows was evident. She took on the challenge of performing the 'BAD' dance challenge by the group ATEEZ, displaying powerful dance moves. Watching this, regular cast member Ji Suk-jin teased her by emphasizing her main occupation, saying, "Miyeon is a main vocalist," which elicited laughter from the cast. It was a moment that highlighted her proactive attitude, as she did not merely settle for the "pretty guest" role often expected of idols but instead threw herself into the activities.

The first mission was the 'Superstar AI Competition.' Teaming up with Yoo Jae-suk, Ji Suk-jin, Heo Kyung-hwan, and Ji Ye-eun, Miyeon participated in a mission where the team had to use AI to create a song and complete a stage performance within a 30-minute time limit. Miyeon utilized her professional experience as a singer in a variety-style manner, taking charge of the choreography and creating point moves for various genres.

The song chosen by Yoo Jae-suk's team was a trot genre track titled 'Blind Dates are Originally a Quiz.' Wearing bunny ear headbands and a green jacket, Miyeon stepped onto the stage with a handheld microphone to deliver the climax, elevating the atmosphere with her signature stable vocals and professional stage presence.

Even the opposing team reacted strongly to Miyeon. Kim Jong-kook's team responded enthusiastically to her appearance, acknowledging her stage presence to the point of saying, "If we lose, it's because of Miyeon." In the actual social media vote, Yoo Jae-suk's team secured victory with 68% of the support.

An interesting scene followed. The production team asked the AI to select the member with the most prominent star power among the winning members of Yoo Jae-suk's team, and the AI pointed to Miyeon. The AI remarked, "She is so refreshing that I doubt if her profession is actually an idol," comparing her bunny ears to a "star power reception antenna," which brought laughter to the set.

Typically, 'star power' for an idol refers to stage performance and visuals. However, star power in variety shows is slightly different. It requires the ability to let go of one's image, react appropriately to the situation, maintain a presence that draws the camera toward them, blend naturally with other cast members, and possess the quick wit to change the atmosphere at decisive moments.

In this regard, Miyeon has shown a relatively good compatibility with 'Running Man.' Her strength lies in her way of entering situations naturally by breathing with the members rather than being overly conscious of the game rules. This is why her five appearances are difficult to explain solely by her topicality or the recognition of her group.

She also has significant experience in variety programs. Miyeon built her live broadcasting skills by serving as an MC on Mnet's 'M Countdown' for approximately two years and nine months. Since then, she has expanded her range through activities such as 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret,' 'Battle! Paengbong Paengbong,' and the global boy group audition program 'B BOYZ.' She also crosses the boundaries of broadcasting platforms through YouTube content like 'Miyeon ZIP' and 'Jeondosa.'

In particular, her MC experience is evaluated as a crucial asset in her variety activities. Live broadcasting is not just about the ability to accurately read a fixed script; it is also a training ground for variety sense, as one must immediately receive the reactions of guests, respond to unexpected situations, and build a character within a limited time.

Furthermore, she possesses competitiveness as a singer. As the main vocalist of (G)I-DLE, she can naturally secure a presence compared to other guests when musical missions arise. In this episode of 'Running Man,' the structure of the AI composition mission meshed perfectly with Miyeon's singing ability, creating scenes that went beyond a simple variety appearance.

Above all, the number of her fifth appearance shows that Miyeon's broadcasting image is not the type that is consumed once and then disappears. In long-running programs like 'Running Man,' the rapport between guests and existing members is important, so from the production team's perspective, it is easier to deploy a verified performer into new games and situations.

Therefore, the AI's evaluation of her being "so refreshing that one might doubt if she is an idol" is paradoxical. It is not a denial of the fact that she is an idol, but rather closer to the meaning that she is not confined to her professional image as a singer and can function sufficiently as an entertainer.

Ultimately, Miyeon's strength does not lie solely in her glamorous appearance or her title as a main vocalist. Her flexibility—switching roles quickly from a singer on stage to a guest in front of the camera and a participant in games—is what makes her a performer that 'Running Man' repeatedly calls upon.

The fact that she has knocked on the door of the same program five times, despite not being a fixed member, paradoxically means that Miyeon is someone who is already familiar with the 'Running Man style' of variety. While the AI picked out her star power this time, the record of her fifth appearance ultimately points to the variety-based trust formed between the person and the program.