[News] The limits of female performers in variety- The meaning of Song Ji-Hyo in variety

With Kim Byung-Man taking the Grand Awards for 2013 SBS Entertainment awards marking the end of the Entertainment Awards for the 3 main television channels. Even though it was certainly a pity for Yoo Jae-Suk, but there was this atmosphere of “those who deserve the awards, got it”.

But taking a closer look at the Grand Awards for the 3 channels, indeed most recipients of the awards are male. As compared to females who are less active in variety, this is understandable, since variety shows are usually centred around males.

Among those who received the most popular variety awards this year, <Dad, where are you going>, <Real Man>, <Infinity Challenge>, <2 Days 1 Night>, <Return of Superman>, <Running Man>, has most of their performers being male, except for <Gag Concert>, in reality, it is not an easy task to find females appearing in variety shows.

Among the list of award receivers from the 3 channels, except for Park Mi-Sun, Kim Ji-Min, and Song Ji-Hyo who received SBS Best Excellence Award (Female Category), the rest are mainly all male. Even though this shows that male are dominantly the active one in variety, but at the same time it presents a different meaning, it is hard to deny that, variety production of today, does not focus on female, but only focus on the comparatively active male performers.

In the broadcast of SBS Entertainment Awards on the 30th of December, receiving the Best Excellence Awards for female category, Song Ji-Hyo, her presence and the possibility of her existence is exceptionally outstanding, because she is the only female who received the award in the 3 big Entertainment Awards this year who fully digested Outdoor Variety Programs!

Known to everyone, female celebrities started to distant themselves from variety shows during the time when outdoor variety programs started to gain popularity. Other than Lee Hyo-Ri from <Family Outing>, there are very little female members willing to take part in outdoor variety. In reality variety shows, there are many situations in which they have to make use of their body(stamina, strength, etc.), filming is extremely tough and tiring, and there are many limits for female performers in the program.

Furthermore, for better chemistry within the performers and to create better effect, from the production point of view, it is indeed easier for a single gender only program. So in this genre of reality variety, females will usually only appear as guests, and only to make the male stand out, such situations are indeed common.

But in Running Man, Song Ji-Hyo is different, running continuously, sweating nonstop, in this program, she has forgone her image as an actress. Displaying an active image that does not lose out to any other man, fighting with other male members and even with her hair all messed up, appearing dishevelled and with no make-up seems to be all so common. But she knows that she can sacrifice herself for the program and for the other members. She has the nickname of “Ace”, though she is often cared for by other members, but her own hard work is more important than everything else. This is the reason why she fully deserves the award!

During this period of time, variety programs have been changing according to different female performers so as to let them fit it, the program will definitely give different extent of care towards them as well. But for Song Ji-Hyo, she can change according to the need of the program and the need of the role, going along with jokes made by other members, and becoming the target of admiration. Thus, Song Ji-Hyo’s existence itself is of a high significance and purpose.

As we come to the end of the 3 television channels’ entertainment awards with the male celebrities winning most of the award. The fact that Song Ji-Hyo received the Best Excellence Award itself left too much possibility. Song JiHyo’s existence in Running Man is telling the audience that outdoor variety program is not only meant for the males, and it has also created possibilities for game rules that is biased towards a male dominant system that female members can also be a part of.

As we mark the closure of the 3 Entertainment Awards, Song Ji-Hyo has indeed displayed this point of “possibility” throughout the year. Hopefully she can continue to bring her smile and laughter to the audience next year, and to cheer on the other celebrities who are still fighting alone.

News Article: Ohmystar

Chinese translation credits: QY_0807 via SJH Baidu Bar

English translation: Mongji-fan