Latest news with #RunningMan
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Song Ji-hyo sets out to become legendary haeonyeo in BBC's Deep Dive Korea
FOR years, Song Ji-hyo captivated fans as an award-winning actress, appearing in numerous blockbusters such as Wishing Stairs, A Frozen Flower and New World. Her fame then exceeded South Korea's borders upon her appearance in the long-running reality show Running Man. But after 24 years in the entertainment industry, the 43-year-old is undertaking the greatest challenge of her life, becoming one of South Korea's legendary haenyeo (sea women). The haenyeo are keepers of a tradition passed down from generations for at least 400 years, a lifestyle Unesco has recognised as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. Every day, these women dive up for seven hours a day without air apparatus or advanced equipment, to gather shellfish, seaweed and other sea life for their families and livelihood. In her latest three-episode documentary Deep Dive Korea, Song takes viewers on a personal journey, subjecting herself to the intensive training necessary to become one of those legendary sea women. Speaking to theSun, she opens up about her passion for the cause, the intensive training she endured and her hope for viewers to take away from the documentary. Why did you decide to do this show? I decided to do a documentary on haenyeo because I wanted to experience their lives. I wanted to understand their lives as haenyeo because the focus is usually on what they do. The focus has not been on how they became haenyeo. So, I wanted to emphasise this aspect – of how they put so much effort into becoming haenyeo. I wanted to not only understand their jobs as haenyeo but also convey their stories and efforts. Would you say this differentiates Deep Dive Korea from other travel and diving series? Yes, it is a deep dive into our cultural heritage, which is haenyeo that is all across South Korea. The series not only showcases haenyeo as a job, but also their culture, community and lifestyle. You will get to see how even when they are sad, happy, sick or have recently given birth, they still have to dive in for their survival. That kind of warrior type of lifestyle is what differentiates this entire show from just a mere travel programme. What was it like to squeeze 30 years' worth of training into one month? I have never been afraid of water since I was young. But, the process of becoming a haenyeo was difficult. The process of getting used to the water and going down to the depth and finding something to harvest was difficult. It was physically difficult, and it stressed me out during the whole training month. But what was most challenging was the responsibility to showcase the true side of haenyeo. I was worried that my portrayal of a haenyeo might seem clumsy or imperfect. I was under the stress that if I did not perfect it, everyone would look down on haenyeo. So, I was being a perfectionist while training. But, I was mentally determined to be recognised as a haenyeo. So, this motivated me to keep going. Did the fear of drowning ever cross your mind? Yes. I was always afraid of incidents such as that because the sea is always dangerous. Whether you are prepared or not, the sea always invites some sort of danger. And so, definitely, I was under a lot of pressure, worrying 'what if this happened, what if that happened?' What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. There was one haenyeo, in fact, who passed away on the surface in the neighbouring area Hadori because she had a heart attack. Incidents such as this can happen to anyone and everyone – no matter how experienced you are. You just need to know your condition and be aware of the danger. Just have to always be careful. What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. Another unforgettable memory I have is how I got to learn so much about the underwater lifestyle while training to become a haenyeo. I learnt how they had their rules, orders and an entire community I was unaware of. It was one of the coolest experiences I had. One particularly vivid memory, for instance, was when one of the haenyeo cut the sea urchin, cracked open and gave it to a fish. The fish surprisingly led her to an area with more sea urchins. That was their way of communication – 'Hey, I feed you a sea urchin. If you want more, let me know where I can find it.' So, that is when I realised this is the harmony of living with nature. We can live and co-exist together. What was the most beautiful sight you saw under the sea? There was once I tried catching a sea urchin. I could not take it off and it got ripped. It then cracked open and the sea urchin was exposed. The fishes thought I was feeding it to them because they swam towards me. So, we ended up swimming together as the fishes were all around me. It was fun. Now that you have heard the story when you watch episodes two and three, you will understand why there were a lot of fishes around me and not other haenyeo. What do you hope viewers take away about South Korea and the haenyeo community after watching the show? I want people to understand haenyeo are not greedy people who will dive into the water and take as much as they want. They will hold their breath as long as possible. They will go down and search for what is available and then come back up. It is a compromise with nature. They will only take whatever nature allows them to. So, that is why they do not use oxygen tanks when diving. This determination and appreciation for nature is what I want people to focus on and learn. I also hope for viewers to learn more about their lifestyles, and how they dedicate their tasks as haenyeo, farmers and mothers. There is more than what is seen on the outside. Do you hope to do this again? Definitely! If they are doing season two, I want to do it. I am not satisfied yet as I have not mastered haenyeo truly. So, I want to continue myself.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Mastering underwater traditions
FOR years, Song Ji-hyo captivated fans as an award-winning actress, appearing in numerous blockbusters such as Wishing Stairs, A Frozen Flower and New World. Her fame then exceeded South Korea's borders upon her appearance in the long-running reality show Running Man. But after 24 years in the entertainment industry, the 43-year-old is undertaking the greatest challenge of her life, becoming one of South Korea's legendary haenyeo (sea women). The haenyeo are keepers of a tradition passed down from generations for at least 400 years, a lifestyle Unesco has recognised as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. Every day, these women dive up for seven hours a day without air apparatus or advanced equipment, to gather shellfish, seaweed and other sea life for their families and livelihood. In her latest three-episode documentary Deep Dive Korea, Song takes viewers on a personal journey, subjecting herself to the intensive training necessary to become one of those legendary sea women. Speaking to theSun, she opens up about her passion for the cause, the intensive training she endured and her hope for viewers to take away from the documentary. Why did you decide to do this show? I decided to do a documentary on haenyeo because I wanted to experience their lives. I wanted to understand their lives as haenyeo because the focus is usually on what they do. The focus has not been on how they became haenyeo. So, I wanted to emphasise this aspect – of how they put so much effort into becoming haenyeo. I wanted to not only understand their jobs as haenyeo but also convey their stories and efforts. Would you say this differentiates Deep Dive Korea from other travel and diving series? Yes, it is a deep dive into our cultural heritage, which is haenyeo that is all across South Korea. The series not only showcases haenyeo as a job, but also their culture, community and lifestyle. You will get to see how even when they are sad, happy, sick or have recently given birth, they still have to dive in for their survival. That kind of warrior type of lifestyle is what differentiates this entire show from just a mere travel programme. What was it like to squeeze 30 years' worth of training into one month? I have never been afraid of water since I was young. But, the process of becoming a haenyeo was difficult. The process of getting used to the water and going down to the depth and finding something to harvest was difficult. It was physically difficult, and it stressed me out during the whole training month. But what was most challenging was the responsibility to showcase the true side of haenyeo. I was worried that my portrayal of a haenyeo might seem clumsy or imperfect. I was under the stress that if I did not perfect it, everyone would look down on haenyeo. So, I was being a perfectionist while training. But, I was mentally determined to be recognised as a haenyeo. So, this motivated me to keep going. Did the fear of drowning ever cross your mind? Yes. I was always afraid of incidents such as that because the sea is always dangerous. Whether you are prepared or not, the sea always invites some sort of danger. And so, definitely, I was under a lot of pressure, worrying 'what if this happened, what if that happened?' What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. There was one haenyeo, in fact, who passed away on the surface in the neighbouring area Hadori because she had a heart attack. Incidents such as this can happen to anyone and everyone – no matter how experienced you are. You just need to know your condition and be aware of the danger. Just have to always be careful. Song reveals her aunt was a haenyeo. What are some moments on the show that you will cherish? I saw a dolphin for the first time outside a cave. They were not enclosed and were freewheeling. On my arrival to Jeju and my day of departure, they were there – as if they were saying hi and goodbye. Another unforgettable memory I have is how I got to learn so much about the underwater lifestyle while training to become a haenyeo. I learnt how they had their rules, orders and an entire community I was unaware of. It was one of the coolest experiences I had. One particularly vivid memory, for instance, was when one of the haenyeo cut the sea urchin, cracked open and gave it to a fish. The fish surprisingly led her to an area with more sea urchins. Fishes swimming towards Song. That was their way of communication – 'Hey, I feed you a sea urchin. If you want more, let me know where I can find it.' So, that is when I realised this is the harmony of living with nature. We can live and co-exist together. What was the most beautiful sight you saw under the sea? There was once I tried catching a sea urchin. I could not take it off and it got ripped. It then cracked open and the sea urchin was exposed. The fishes thought I was feeding it to them because they swam towards me. So, we ended up swimming together as the fishes were all around me. It was fun. Now that you have heard the story when you watch episodes two and three, you will understand why there were a lot of fishes around me and not other haenyeo. Song (in purple) with her fellow haenyeo. What do you hope viewers take away about South Korea and the haenyeo community after watching the show? I want people to understand haenyeo are not greedy people who will dive into the water and take as much as they want. They will hold their breath as long as possible. They will go down and search for what is available and then come back up. It is a compromise with nature. They will only take whatever nature allows them to. So, that is why they do not use oxygen tanks when diving. This determination and appreciation for nature is what I want people to focus on and learn. I also hope for viewers to learn more about their lifestyles, and how they dedicate their tasks as haenyeo, farmers and mothers. There is more than what is seen on the outside. Do you hope to do this again? Definitely! If they are doing season two, I want to do it. I am not satisfied yet as I have not mastered haenyeo truly. So, I want to continue myself.
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Tom Cruise was ‘so stoked' watching The Running Man trailer, Glen Powell says
Glen Powell has said Tom Cruise was "so stoked" after watching 'The Running Man' trailer. The 36-year-old actor will lead the upcoming thriller as protagonist Ben Richards, and has now teased that his 'Top Gun: Maverick' co-star couldn't "hide his excitement" after he saw the first teaser for 'The Running Man'. Speaking with SFX magazine, Powell said: "Watching that teaser with Tom Cruise is a memory I will never forget. "He was so stoked after watching it. What's been amazing about my relationship with Tom is the fact he's a guy that doesn't hide his excitement. "He loves the theatrical experience and working hard and putting your body on the line to entertain audiences." 'The Running Man' - which will also star Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Michael Cera and Katy O'Brian - is an adaptation of author Stephen King's 1982 novel of the same name, and follows the desperate Ben Richards (Powell) who signs up to participate in the TV game show 'The Running Man', where enemies of the state have to evade death at the hands of the game's stalkers to try and win their freedom. The movie, which is slated for release in November, will be the second interpretation of King's work on the silver screen, with the first 'Running Man' film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as Ben Richards in 1987. Powell previously revealed that 'The Terminator' icon had given him his blessing for the new 'Running Man'. The 'Twisters' star explained to People: "Arnold gave us his blessing. Patrick Schwarzenegger is a great friend of mine and I asked Patrick if I could talk to Arnold and I hadn't seen Arnold since we shot 'Expendables' in Bulgaria. "Arnold gave us his full blessing and we get to give Arnold a very specific fun gift from the movie in a couple of weeks here. So I'm very excited to see him." Meanwhile, 'The Running Man' director Edgar Wright revealed he cast Powell in the leading role as he wanted to use an actor "who hadn't really done something like this before". The filmmaker told Empire magazine: "I felt it was important to see somebody who hadn't really done something like this before. "It's similar to Bruce Willis, when he was still the guy from 'Moonlighting', before he did 'Die Hard', where that adds to the suspense. Can they make it?' While Wright is a fan of the original 'Running Man' movie, the 'Baby Driver' director promised his version would be a more faithful adaptation of King's novel. He said: "One of the things about the book that I loved was the fact that Ben Richards is out in the world on his own, so it's like the deadliest game of hide and seek. "It does feel like making a road movie in a lot of ways: a very intense, dangerous road movie. Ben is moving through different environments and meeting different people as he tries to survive 30 days out in the wild."
South China Morning Post
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Actress Song Ji-hyo says ‘My mental strength broke down' making free diver documentary
Actress Song Ji-hyo takes on the challenge of becoming a haenyeo, a woman free diver who harvests seafood, on South Korea's Jeju Island in the JTBC-BBC joint documentary series Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure. Advertisement In the three-part documentary, Song – best known for her appearance in Korea's longest-running variety show, Running Man – free dives alongside the veteran female divers with whom she shares a unique bond. Jeju's haenyeo culture, with a history dating back at least 400 years , was recognised for its unique cultural value and was listed as part of Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. They are women who, even into their eighties, dive as deep as 20 metres (66 feet) without oxygen masks or modern equipment to collect shellfish to support both their families and their way of life. Recently, the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines featured the story of the haenyeo, drawing significant public interest. The actress, whose aunt was a haenyeo, recalled the moment she received the project proposal. 'I immediately felt like it was meant for me. I wanted to do it so much that I hoped no one else would take it if I couldn't,' she said this week. Advertisement 'Even though I've been on Running Man for over 10 years, I wasn't finding much joy in the set, in acting or in my own life. I started to question whether I should keep acting in the same routine.
The Star
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Song Ji-hyo finds life fun again after deep diving with seasoned haenyeo for BBC
At a point when South Korean actress Song Ji-hyo felt stuck in the monotony of her acting career, she was ready to try something new. That 'something new' turned out to be an immersive, month-long training with the seasoned haenyeo of Jeju Island for the three-episode BBC docuseries Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure . Haenyeo, which means 'sea women' in Korean, are freedivers who do not use breathing equipment to gather shellfish for their livelihood. Song, who was in Malaysia to promote the series premiering on May 11, tells StarLifestyle via an interpreter that joining the programme was a much-needed wake-up call. The actress is happy to be in Malaysia to talk about the documentary that renewed her zest for life. Photos: Handout 'It made me more appreciative of the small things in life, not just for myself but for everyone around me. Things I used to overlook now stand out, and I've learned to value them. 'With this mindset, life feels more fun now,' says Song, who has been a regular cast member on the long-running South Korean variety show Running Man since 2010. Song Ji-hyo takes a photo with the haenyeo she trained with for one month. Her renewed zest for her work is apparent when we come face-to-face with the friendly star, who first made her film debut in Wishing Stairs (2003) and has spent over two decades navigating roles in both romantic dramas and horror thrillers. Song speaks about the documentary and the haenyeo way of life with such passion that she launches into long, enthusiastic explanations with very little prompting. This is further evident in the three episodes of Deep Dive , which show her struggling multiple times to keep up with the demanding lessons – yet throughout, Song remains determined to see it through. According to the production notes, the 43-year-old was attempting to 'cram over 30 years' worth of training into just one month'. The Unstoppable actress admits she initially underestimated the difficulty of the challenge, thinking it wouldn't be so hard given her background. After all, she grew up in the coastal city of Pohang, South Korea. Her mother was a competitive swimmer, and her eldest aunt – her mother's sister – was a haenyeo. 'To me, it wasn't something unusual ... So, I focused only on physical strength, not underwater training (before heading to Jeju Island). 'But once I started, I really regretted not having trained in the water earlier,' she says. Did she ever consider giving up? 'Instead of quitting when things got tough, I was actually harder on myself,' says Song, who first rose to fame through the popular 2006 series Princess Hours . Her other drama credits include The Witch's Diner , Emergency Couple and Lovely Horribly . 'I kept thinking, 'Why can't I do better?'' She adds that the tight timeline was especially stressful. 'I really felt the pressure. I wanted to show the world the strength, depth and emotion behind the haenyeo way of life – the joy, the pain and the resilience.' She says she felt immense pressure to ensure the international audience fully grasp the haenyeo's way of life. For Song, it wasn't just about completing a challenge. It was about honouring a legacy. 'This work is deeply connected to our national heritage. It's more than just a job; it's a way of life,' she elaborates. 'The haenyeo who are still diving today carry immense pride in what they do. They bear the responsibility of preserving this cultural legacy, and they take that role very seriously.' Despite the high-stakes training and serious atmosphere, some of the most entertaining moments in the series come from Song's efforts to win over the veteran divers – women in their 60s, 70s and even 80s – as she joins in their daily routines beyond the sea. These women, whom the affable star still keeps in touch with and visits whenever she returns to the island, have become more than just acquaintances. 'I didn't expect to bond so well with the older women,' Song tells StarLifestyle , reflecting on what she learned about herself while filming the documentary. 'And I found out I'm more patient than I thought. I grew a lot as a person through this experience. I got to know the better side of me.' Song Ji-hyo speaks about her experience after an exclusive screening of the documentary's first episode. That personal growth has clearly stayed with her. During a Q&A with fans after an exclusive screening of the first episode in Kuala Lumpur, Song was asked what advice she'd give to someone taking on a new challenge. She answers: 'I would say, don't hesitate. Regret comes after trying, and it's better to regret after trying something than to regret not trying at all. 'You have to start somewhere, and if you're too scared to begin, then you're holding yourself back. Regret is much bigger when you don't try. 'So, my advice would be: have the confidence to try what you want to try. Don't be afraid. 'And if it doesn't turn out to be the right path for you, you can always change your mind.' K-drama 'Princess Hours' featuring Yoon Eun-hye, Kim Jung-hoon, Song Ji-hyo and Ju Ji-hoon. Thanks to this unique undertaking, Song says she now carries many unforgettable memories – like witnessing dolphins in the wild and discovering how sea creatures follow their own set of rules, ones that haenyeo have learned to live in harmony with. 'When I arrived in Jeju, I saw dolphins swimming freely in the ocean. And then, on my last day on the island, they appeared again – as if they were saying goodbye. It was such an unforgettable moment,' she shares. Participating in this documentary was also a humbling experience for Song, particularly when she began to understand the physical challenges of diving. 'The deeper you go, the more intense the water pressure becomes,' she explains. 'At 10m deep, the pressure feels like it's trying to flatten you into a sheet of paper. 'That's when I truly understood: you don't conquer the sea. You respect it. Nature has to allow you in. 'Some haenyeo can dive more than 20m deep, but only because the ocean accepts them. 'That taught me a deeper kind of reverence – for nature, for the sea and for the strength of these women.' She recalls one particular dive using an oxygen tank to reach about 10m. 'What I saw down there felt like entering a whole new world. The fish had their own community, with unspoken rules and boundaries. 'They didn't trespass into each other's space – everything was in order, like a peaceful, underwater society.' Her experience also deepened her environmental awareness. 'I have come to appreciate sea creatures during my time training to be a haenyeo. 'That's when I felt that, as humans, we definitely have to protect the sea and not invade it. 'It was heartbreaking to see a lot of trash underwater when I was diving ... it's not too late for us to start protecting our oceans.' Running Man members (from left) Lee Kwang-soo, Ji Suk-jin, Song Ji-hyo, Kim Jong-kook and HaHa entertained an ecstatic crowd at Stadium Negara in 2014. Photo: CHAN HOW BAN/The Star Filming Deep Dive has even given her the confidence to continue freediving – not just in Jeju, but in other parts of the world as well. She says she was recently recommended to try it in Kota Kinabalu. 'Now I am determined to visit one day,' says Song, who has often expressed her affection for Malaysia and her massive Malaysian fanbase. 'I look forward to deep diving in Kota Kinabalu, exploring the sea creatures, and learning as much as I can.' Just like the 'superhumans' she trained with, Song says she hopes to keep working for as long as possible in the entertainment industry. 'As long as I maintain my physical strength and accept the changes that come with ageing, I believe I can keep going. I may not always be at my best, but I'm OK with that. 'What matters most is accepting who I am at every stage and staying true to myself. 'As long as I keep enjoying what I do and don't lose interest, I'll continue to pursue it. I'll still be here for another 20 years.' Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo's Haenyeo Adventure premieres May 11 at 9pm on BBC Earth (Unifi TV Ch 501/Astro Ch 554) and BBC Player.
