'Running Man' Star Ji Ye-eun Opens Up About Thyroid Cancer Battle

Korean actress Ji Ye-eun has revealed that she was treated for thyroid cancer, ending months of speculation about her sudden disappearance from television.

The disclosure came on the Netflix variety show "Yoo Jae-suk Camp," which premiered on November 26. On the episode, Ji looked back on the period when worsening health forced her to step away from her entertainment career.

"They told me that even 0.1 centimeters can spread," Ji said, recalling her diagnosis. "I was told I had quite a lot of cancer, so I'm really lucky. I'm so thankful."

Her agency had previously declined to share the specific illness, citing personal medical privacy. By speaking on camera, Ji confirmed the diagnosis herself for the first time.

The actress abruptly halted all broadcast work in September 2024, including her regular spot on the long-running SBS variety show "Running Man." Her exit from the show, where she had become a familiar face to weekly viewers, drew concern from fans who were not told the reason at the time.

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in South Korea, and screening rates there are among the highest in the world. For viewers who had watched Ji vanish from the small screen with no explanation, her brief comments on "Yoo Jae-suk Camp" finally connected the dots between a quiet absence and a serious health scare.