Ji Hyo: Song Ji-hyo vs TWICE Jihyo – Complete Comparison

If you’ve searched for “Ji Hyo” recently, you’ve probably landed on two very different South Korean celebrities who share that name. One is a veteran actress best known for the variety show Running Man, the other is the leader of one of the world’s biggest K-pop groups, TWICE. Here’s a clear guide to telling them apart — covering their backgrounds, relationships, and the rumors that keep both in the spotlight.

Song Ji-hyo (actress) birth year: 1981 ·
TWICE’s Jihyo (singer) birth year: 1997 ·
Song Ji-hyo’s known relationship duration (2024): 8 years (confessed 2024) ·
Song Ji-hyo net worth estimate: US $5–8 million ·
Number of dramas Song Ji-hyo has acted in: Over 15

The table below lays out the core biographical differences.

Is Jihyo in a relationship?

One of the most asked questions about both celebrities is their romantic lives. Here’s what we know — and what remains speculation.

Song Ji-hyo’s long-term relationship (since 2024 confession)

In 2024, Song Ji-hyo surprised fans by revealing she has been in a relationship for eight years. According to a Reddit (fan discussion) summarizing the moment, she made the confession during a variety show segment where castmates asked about her love life. She did not disclose the identity of her partner. The revelation sparked widespread media coverage and fan curiosity.

TWICE’s Jihyo dating history and rumors

TWICE’s Jihyo has faced dating rumors twice publicly. In 2019, she was linked to Soompi (K-pop news outlet) reported that she was dating singer Kang Daniel. Both agencies confirmed the relationship at the time, but they reportedly ended it later. In 2024, rumors surfaced of a connection with actor Yoon Seong-ho, but no official confirmation has been made. As of 2025, there is no verified information about her current dating status.

Are Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji-hyo together?

No. The “loveline” between Kim Jong Kook and Song Ji-hyo was a scripted narrative on Running Man. Reddit (fan discussion) posts indicate Song Ji-hyo even apologized to Kim Jong Kook’s wife for the on-screen dating concept. Fans continue to conflate the scripted chemistry with reality, but sources confirm they are not together.

Which Twice member has a boyfriend?

TWICE members have generally not confirmed romantic relationships. Of the nine members, Jihyo is the only one who has had a publicly acknowledged relationship (with Kang Daniel in 2019). Other members have faced speculation, but none have been confirmed. As of 2025, no current relationships are officially known.

Song Ji-hyo’s apology to Kim Jong Kook’s wife

According to Reddit (fan discussion), Song Ji-hyo directly apologized to Kim Jong Kook’s wife during a Running Man broadcast after years of playing up their on-screen romance. The apology was seen as a way to acknowledge the real marriage and separate fiction from reality.

How did Jihyo lose so much weight?

TWICE’s Jihyo’s physical transformation has been widely discussed. She reportedly lost about 10 kg (22 lbs) through a disciplined routine — here’s what’s known from public statements.

Diet and nutrition plan

• Low-carb, high-protein meals (Kpopmap (fan news))
• Intermittent fasting (16:8 method) — skipping breakfast, eating from noon to 8 p.m.
• Portion control: reduced rice intake, more vegetables and lean meats

Exercise routine (abs workout)

• Daily pilates sessions – she credited pilates for her toned abs (Kpopmap (fan news))
• Strength training – focused on core and lower body
• Cardio – treadmill running or cycling for 30–40 minutes

Role of portion control and intermittent fasting

Jihyo’s diet strategy relied heavily on limiting calorie intake through intermittent fasting and eating only within a 8-hour window. She mentioned in interviews that cutting out late-night snacks made a big difference. Kpopmap (fan news) reported that her meal plan was drawn up by a nutritionist.

Public reactions and health concerns

Fans praised her discipline but some expressed concern about extreme dieting. Jihyo has stated that her weight loss was gradual and supervised, and she prioritizes health over rapid results. She has maintained the weight since her solo debut ZONE in 2023.

The pattern: her transformation reflects both personal discipline and industry expectation, a balance few idols sustain publicly.

How rich is Song Ji-hyo?

Song Ji-hyo’s net worth is estimated by various outlets at between US $5 and $8 million. Her income comes from multiple sources.

Estimated net worth sources (acting, endorsements, Running Man)

• Running Man salary – as a core cast member since 2010, she earns a regular pay per episode. Wikibio (biography site) estimates her annual TV income at $500,000–$700,000.
• Drama and film fees – lead roles in TV series and movies add variable income.
• Endorsements – she has modeled for cosmetics, fashion brands, and lifestyle products.

Real estate investments

According to Wikibio (biography site), Song Ji-hyo owns a luxury apartment in Seoul’s Gangnam district, estimated at around $2 million. Real estate is a common investment among top Korean celebrities.

Comparison with other Running Man cast members

Her net worth is moderate compared to Running Man veterans. Yoo Jae-suk’s net worth is estimated at $30–40 million, while Kim Jong Kook’s is around $10 million. Song Ji-hyo’s more modest figure reflects her primary focus on acting rather than endorsements.

What is Jihyo’s ethnicity?

Both women are ethnically Korean, born in South Korea. Here’s a breakdown of their backgrounds.

Song Ji-hyo (actress) ethnicity and real name

• Birth name: Cheon Seong-im; legally changed to Cheon Soo-yeon (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
• Born in Gyeongju, South Korea
• Ethnically Korean, no known mixed heritage

TWICE’s Jihyo (singer) ethnicity and real name

• Birth name: Park Jihyo; originally named Park Ji-soo before legally changing to Jihyo (Twice Wiki (fan wiki))
• Born in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
• Ethnically Korean

Cultural and familial background

Both come from middle-class Korean families. Song Ji-hyo’s father was a businessman. TWICE’s Jihyo’s parents have been supportive of her career since she started training at age 8. There is no indication of foreign ancestry for either.

The implication: While fans occasionally speculate about idols having mixed ethnicity, both Jihyos are purely Korean, which aligns with the typical background of most mainstream Korean entertainers.

What happened to Song Ji Hyo?

Recent years have brought changes to Song Ji-hyo’s career and personal life. Here’s a timeline of key events.

Recent drama and film projects (2023–2025)

Song Ji-hyo’s most recent confirmed project is the film The Battle of Jangsari (2019). She has not announced new acting roles since then, leading to speculation about a hiatus. MyDramaList (drama database) lists no new drama credits after 2022.

Health issues and hiatus rumors

In 2023, Song Ji-hyo took a brief hiatus from Running Man due to health concerns. She returned after a few episodes, but fans remain watchful. No official medical statement was released.

Departure from ‘Running Man’ speculation

Despite periodic rumors that she might leave, Song Ji-hyo remains a cast member as of 2025. Wikipedia (encyclopedia) shows her still listed as an active cast member. No departure announcement has been made.

Legal name change and personal life

Song Ji-hyo changed her legal name from Cheon Seong-im to Cheon Soo-yeon, according to Wikipedia (encyclopedia). The reason is private. She also switched agencies to Nexus E&M in October 2023 after a contract dispute with Uzurocks Entertainment over unpaid earnings.

The implication: her professional trajectory remains stable but unambitious on the acting front, a contrast to her younger namesake’s rapid solo career growth.

Direct comparison: Song Ji-hyo vs TWICE’s Jihyo

One table captures the most important distinctions between these two celebrities who share a name.

The pattern is clear: age, field, and public exposure create entirely separate trajectories. Fans searching for one should look for the context — “actress” or “singer” — to avoid confusion.

Voices from the fandom

“I confessed that I’ve been in a relationship for eight years. I’m sorry I kept it a secret.”

– Song Ji-hyo, as reported on Reddit (fan discussion)

“When Song Ji-hyo and TWICE’s Jihyo met on Running Man, they called each other ‘Big Ji Hyo’ and ‘Little Jihyo’ — it was the sweetest interaction.”

– Soompi (K-pop news outlet)

“I went from 60 kg to 50 kg. I ate less and worked out more. Pilates really shaped my abs.”

– TWICE’s Jihyo, quoted by Kpopmap (fan news)

For casual fans and dedicated followers alike, the distinction between Song Ji-hyo and TWICE’s Jihyo comes down to context. One is a veteran actress with a long-term secret relationship; the other is a K-pop leader who transformed her body and faced dating rumors. The internet mixes them up constantly, but the facts are clear when you look closely. For readers in the K-pop and Korean drama fandom, the choice is simple: if you hear “Ji Hyo,” check whether the discussion is about a variety show queen or a TWICE icon.