(G)I-DLE Miyeon: Why She Has Appeared on 'Running Man' Five Times Despite Not Being a Fixed Member

(G)I-DLE's Miyeon has once again proven her presence as a "reliable guest," appearing on SBS's variety show 'Running Man' for the fifth time despite not being a fixed member of the cast. Beyond her primary role as a main vocalist, she has showcased her versatility through dance, variety skills, and even trot performances, eventually being recognized as having the number one star quality by an artificial intelligence (AI), demonstrating a perfect chemistry with the program.

On 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 visited 'Running Man' for a fifth time, signaling that she is a guest the program seeks out whenever needed rather than just a one-off appearance.

From the opening, Miyeon's adaptability to variety shows was evident. She challenged herself with the ATEEZ 'BAD' challenge, showcasing powerful dance moves. Observing this, veteran entertainer Ji Suk-jin jokingly emphasized her professional identity by saying, "Miyeon is a main vocalist," eliciting laughter. It was a moment that highlighted her proactive attitude, as she did not merely stay within the expected role of a "pretty guest" typically expected of idols, but instead threw herself into the activities.

The first mission was the 'Superstar AI Competition.' Joining a team 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 within a 30-minute limit. Miyeon utilized her experience as a singer in a variety-focused way by taking charge of the choreography and creating key point moves for different genres.

The song chosen by Yoo Jae-suk's team was a trot track titled 'Sogaeting-eun Wonrae Quiz-ya' (Blind Date is Originally a Quiz). Wearing a rabbit headband and a green jacket, Miyeon took to the stage with a handheld microphone to deliver the climax, elevating the atmosphere with her signature stable vocals and stage presence.

Even the opposing team reacted strongly to Miyeon. Kim Jong-kook's team responded enthusiastically to her appearance, with members even remarking, "If we lose, it's because of Miyeon," acknowledging her overwhelming stage presence. In the actual SNS voting, Yoo Jae-suk's team secured victory with 68% of the support.

An interesting moment followed. The production team had the AI select the member with the most standout star quality among the winning team of Yoo Jae-suk, and the AI pointed to Miyeon. The AI remarked of Miyeon, "She is so refreshing that I doubt if her profession is actually an idol," comparing her rabbit ears to a "star quality receiving antenna," which brought laughter to the cast.

Typically, 'star quality' for an idol refers to stage performance and visuals. However, star quality in a variety show is somewhat different. It requires the ability to shed one's image, react appropriately to situations, possess a presence that draws the camera toward them, blend naturally with other cast members, and change the atmosphere at decisive moments.

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

Her experience in variety shows is also significant. 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 like 'Celebrity Soldier's Secret,' 'Battle! Paeng-bong Paeng-bong,' and the global boy group audition program 'B BOYZ.' She also crosses the boundaries of broadcasting platforms through YouTube content such as '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 it requires responding immediately to cast members' reactions, handling unexpected situations, and building a character within a limited time.

Furthermore, she possesses competitiveness as a singer in her main profession. As the main vocalist of (G)I-DLE, she can naturally secure a presence compared to other guests whenever music missions arise. In this episode of 'Running Man,' the structure of the AI composition mission aligned perfectly with Miyeon's vocal abilities, creating a scene that went beyond a simple variety appearance.

Most importantly, the number of five appearances shows that Miyeon's broadcast image is not the type that is consumed once and disappears. In a long-running program like 'Running Man,' the chemistry between guests and existing members is crucial, making it easier for production teams to deploy proven performers into new games and situations.

Therefore, the AI's evaluation that she is "so refreshing that one might doubt if she is an idol" is paradoxical. It does not deny the fact that she is an idol, but rather implies that she is capable enough to function as a variety entertainer without being trapped solely within her professional image as a singer.

Ultimately, Miyeon's strength does not lie solely in her glamorous appearance or her title as a main vocalist. Her flexibility in rapidly switching roles—as a singer on stage, a guest in front of the camera, and a participant in games—is what makes her a recurring guest 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 already a person well-acquainted with the 'Running Man style' of variety. While the AI picked out her star quality this time, her record of five appearances ultimately reflects the variety-show-based trust formed between the person and the program.