Jeon So-min: Running Man Exit, Career, 2025 Return

Few variety stars in Korea have made the jump from sitcom newcomer to household name the way Jeon So-min has. She debuted in 2004, spent years grinding through dramas and comedies, and then became one of the most recognizable faces on South Korean television as a Running Man cast member from 2017 to 2023. Now, after stepping away and facing one of the most public struggles with online harassment any Korean entertainer has had to endure, she’s back on screen and talking openly about what came after. This profile traces her exact timeline, separates what we know for certain from what remains unclear, and brings in the statements from the people closest to her decisions.

Born: April 7, 1986 · Height: 169 cm · Debut Year: 2004 · Instagram Followers: 1M · Notable Role: Running Man (2017-2023)

The table below consolidates verified biographical data about Jeon So-min, drawing from agency confirmations and primary sources.

Why did Jeon So-min quit Running Man?

The official departure announcement landed on October 23, 2023, with her final recording on October 30, 2023. King Kong by Starship, her agency at the time, stated that after long discussions with the Running Man cast and production team, they concluded she needed time to recharge in order to return to acting with renewed impact. Running Man is broadcast on SBS, and that network’s team confirmed the farewell as “sad” rather than abrupt or forced.

Timeline of her Running Man tenure

• April 2017 — Joined as regular member, Episode 346 (third female cast member)
• July 2022 — Posted a video addressing malicious comments during a Running Man shoot
• October 23, 2023 — Departure announcement via agency
• October 30, 2023 — Final recording
• January 2025 — Returned as guest to promote a drama
• October 19, 2025 — Running Man guest episode aired, marking full return

The pattern spans nearly eight years, though most outlets cite six years as the formal tenure figure, with seven years appearing in some post-departure reports.

Stated reasons for departure

The production team stated they respected her decision after extensive internal discussions. The stated goal was acting recharge — she wanted to step back from the weekly variety format and focus on scripted projects. This framing appeared consistently across King Kong by Starship’s official comment, the Hindustan Times report, and HelloKpop’s coverage. There is no confirmed evidence of forced removal or network mandate.

How did Jeon So-min become famous?

Jeon So-min’s path to prominence took over a decade before Running Man. She entered the industry through sitcoms, which remain a proving ground for Korean comedic actors. Her 2004 debut in Miracle positioned her in the same talent pool that produced many of Korea’s most durable entertainers. From there, dramas and variety appearances built her profile gradually.

Early career in sitcoms

The 2004 Miracle debut is her confirmed entry point, according to the Running Man Korea Wikia. Sitcom roles in Korea typically offer lower prestige than drama leads but provide intensive on-camera training — the kind that later shows like Running Man reward. Her early visibility came through consistent appearances rather than breakout hits.

Breakthrough roles

The shift toward mainstream recognition accelerated with drama appearances and eventually the Running Man opportunity. By 2013, she starred in Princess Aurora, a project that gave her wider drama credit. The transition from sitcom performer to variety regular — a difficult pivot for many Korean actors — happened when Running Man producers cast her starting Episode 346 in April 2017. Her cheerfulness and physical comedy quickly won over local viewers, even as international comment sections grew more hostile.

Was Jeon So-min forced to leave Running Man?

No confirmed evidence shows she was forced out. Her agency King Kong by Starship framed the departure as a mutual decision after extensive discussions, and the Running Man production team publicly stated they respected her wishes. Multiple tier-2 sources including the Hindustan Times, Inquirer.net, and HelloKpop all cite the agency comment that she needed “time to recharge” for acting activities. International fans contributed to negative comments throughout her tenure, and her younger brother Jeon Wook-min received hateful messages from haters. She posted a video responding to malicious comments during a Running Man shoot in July 2022, but the departure itself was voluntary, not imposed.

The pattern of online harassment from international audiences contrasted sharply with her strong domestic fanbase. While local viewers appreciated her physical comedy and enthusiasm, comment sections from overseas grew increasingly hostile during her six-year tenure.

What are Jeon So-min’s notable movies and dramas?

Jeon So-min built her acting portfolio through sitcoms before transitioning to dramas and eventually variety. Her key film and TV credits span multiple projects across different genres and formats.

Key film roles

• Miracle (2004) — Sitcom debut
• Princess Aurora (2013) — Drama credit that expanded her mainstream recognition
• Show Window: The Queen’s House (2021) — Notable drama appearance
• Post-departure movie (January–February 2024) — Filmed 3-4 months after leaving Running Man

Recent TV appearances

• Running Man (2017–2023) — Regular cast member, Episode 346 to final recording October 30, 2023
• TV Chosun’s Heo Young Man’s Food Travel (May 2025) — Variety guest appearance
• Sorry Not Sorry — Latest K-Drama, marking her acting return
• Running Man guest (January 2025) — Drama promotion appearance
• Running Man guest (October 19, 2025) — Full return episode

The breadth of her post-variety work suggests she is rebuilding her acting career through selective, strategic appearances rather than high-volume output.

What is known about Jeon So-min’s personal life?

Jeon So-min has shared limited details about her personal life, though some information has emerged through interviews and public appearances.

Family background

• Younger brother: Jeon Wook-min, a fitness model who received hateful messages and threats from haters during her Running Man tenure
• Education: Dongduk Women’s University
• Born: April 7, 1986, in South Korea

Relationships and dating rumors

No confirmed husband or boyfriend has been publicly identified. She has not made official statements about current relationship status, and media coverage of her personal life remains limited compared to her professional trajectory.

Post-Running Man reflections

In December 2024, she appeared on Ji Seok-jin’s YouTube channel discussing her life after leaving the show. Ji Seok-jin expressed sadness over her departure. She acknowledged financial challenges after moving to a new home, describing career anxiety that led her to work part-time at a friend’s cafe.