Why (G)I-DLE's Miyeon has appeared on 'Running Man' 5 times despite not being a fixed member

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 regular cast member. Beyond her primary role as a vocalist, she has demonstrated remarkable versatility by handling dance, variety entertainment, and even trot music stages, ultimately even earning the top spot for star power from an Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In the 'Unbeatable AI Pick' race broadcast on the 6th, Miyeon appeared as a guest alongside actress Lee Ju-yeon and entertainer Heo Kyung-hwan. It caught the attention of viewers that Miyeon, who is not a fixed member, has returned to 'Running Man' for the fifth time, signifying that she is a sought-after guest the program calls upon whenever needed, rather than just a one-time visitor.

From the opening, Miyeon's adaptability to variety shows was evident. She took on the 'BAD' challenge by ATEEZ, showcasing powerful dance moves. Witnessing this, veteran entertainer Ji Suk-jin jokingly emphasized her professional identity, saying, "Miyeon is a main vocalist," drawing laughter from the cast. It was a moment that highlighted her proactive attitude, as she did not merely settle for the typical 'pretty guest' role expected of idols but actively 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 to create a song and complete a stage using AI within a 30-minute time limit. Leveraging her experience as a singer, Miyeon took charge of the choreography within her team, creating point dance 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 a rabbit headband 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 stage presence.

Reactions from the opposing team were also enthusiastic. Kim Jong-kook's team responded strongly to Miyeon's appearance, acknowledging her stage presence to the point of saying, "If we lose, it's because of Miyeon." In the actual SNS vote, 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 outstanding star power among the winning members of Yoo Jae-suk's team, and the AI pointed to Miyeon. The AI remarked that she was "so refreshing that one might doubt if her profession is actually an idol," comparing her rabbit ears to a "star power receiving antenna," which elicited much laughter.

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 situations, possess a presence that draws the camera toward them, show the quick-wittedness to blend naturally with other cast members, and the ability to shift the mood at decisive moments.

In this regard, Miyeon has shown a relatively good synergy with 'Running Man.' Her strength lies in her way of naturally entering 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 popularity 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, and has since expanded her activities through shows like 'Secret of Celeb Soldiers', 'Battle! Paengbong Paengbong', 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 read a fixed script accurately. It is also a training ground for variety sense, as it requires the ability to immediately respond to cast members' reactions, deal with unexpected situations, and build a character within a limited time.

Added to this is her competitiveness as a singer. As the main vocalist of (G)I-DLE, she can naturally secure a presence more effectively than other guests when musical missions arise. In this episode of 'Running Man', the structure of the AI composition mission aligned perfectly with Miyeon's vocal abilities, creating moments that went beyond a simple variety appearance.

Above all, the number of five appearances demonstrates that Miyeon's broadcasting image is not the type that is consumed once and then disappears. In long-running programs like 'Running Man', the chemistry between guests and existing members is crucial, making it easier for production teams to deploy verified performers into new games and situations.

The AI's evaluation that she is "so refreshing one might doubt if she is an idol" is therefore paradoxical. It is not a denial of her being an idol, but rather implies that she is not confined by her professional image as a singer and functions sufficiently well as a variety entertainer.

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 seeks out.

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 familiar with the 'Running Man style' of variety. While the AI selected her star power this time, the record of her fifth appearance ultimately reflects the variety-based trust formed between the person and the program.