Lee Jooyeon’s Candid Confession on Running Man
Former After School member and now blossoming actress, Lee Jooyeon, recently made waves on SBS’s beloved variety show, *Running Man*. Known for her captivating visuals and past, high-profile dating rumors with BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, Jooyeon brought her unique charm and an unexpected dose of honesty to the “Beat the Heat Vacation” race at Gwangmyeong Cave, alongside Apink’s Jung Eunji and Kim Ji Eun.
The August 16th episode saw the cast attempting to escape the sweltering 37-degree heat, but it was a casual question from Ji Suk Jin that truly turned up the temperature. Meeting Jooyeon again after an eight-year hiatus, Ji Suk Jin couldn’t help but ask, “Are you in love these days?”
Jooyeon’s response was refreshingly candid. “I’m not able to love right now. In the past, work was honestly more important than love, but since about a year ago, I want to be in love,” she revealed, surprising the cast with her vulnerability. A shy smile then played on her lips as she added, “I need to meet a good man soon. Is there any good man around?”
The *Running Man* members, ever the matchmakers, quickly pointed to Yang Se Chan, enthusiastically recommending, “Se Chan here is a really good man.” However, Jooyeon, without missing a beat, waved her hand in an immediate and decisive “No,” turning the scene into an instant burst of laughter and friendly teasing.
The Hilarious “Idol Killer” Accusations and Spicy Reveals
The playful rejection of Yang Se Chan only served to fuel the fire, with Haha and other members recalling a subtle romantic tension between Jooyeon and Se Chan from their previous encounter eight years prior. They pointed at Se Chan with mischievous grins, as if they had been waiting for this exact moment to reignite the playful rivalry.
Despite the cast’s insistence, “Se Chan here is truly a good guy,” Lee Jooyeon once again firmly rejected the notion with a wave of her hand and a clear “No,” keeping the atmosphere light and laughter-filled.
This refusal, however, quickly escalated into a hilarious, yet spicy, back-and-forth of playful accusations and surprising revelations. Haha, seizing the opportunity, asked Jooyeon, “You were an idol too, right, Jooyeon?” This prompted Jooyeon to fire back with a knowing smirk, “Are you an idol killer? I heard about that too. Who is it?” She then pressed Yang Se Chan about his past relationships, adding mysteriously, “I think I know.” The accusation of being an “idol killer” — a common K-Pop variety show joke for male idols/comedians who frequently interact with female idols — was a hilarious callback, and Jooyeon played along perfectly.
Not one to back down, Yang Se Chan playfully retorted, “You think I only date idols? That’s not true.” His irritation was feigned, but his challenge was real as he warned, “I know the people you’ve dated too. Shall we talk? Let’s see who has bigger fallout.” The playful threat sent ripples of excitement through the studio.
Faced with Yang Se Chan’s sharp comeback, a quick-witted Lee Jooyeon tried to diffuse the escalating situation, laughing as she said, “Let’s both be quiet,” effectively ending the spicy exchange on a high note of humor and camaraderie.
It’s worth remembering that Lee Jooyeon herself was once embroiled in five dating rumors with none other than BIGBANG’s G-Dragon in the past, though neither party ever officially confirmed a relationship. Her recent appearance on *Running Man* proves she’s not only a talented actress but also a variety show natural with a keen sense of humor and a refreshing openness about her personal life. Fans are sure to be rooting for her to find that “good man” soon!
