Actor Jin Taehyun Shares Thoughts on Running Shirtless
"Functional Clothing Doesn't Work at All in Korea's Humid Heat"
"I've Been Asked to Stop Too... Let's Allow It Only at Certain Times"
As running has become increasingly popular, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of men running shirtless in parks and other public spaces. While many citizens have expressed discomfort about this trend, actor Jin Taehyun and his wife Park Si-eun shared their thoughts on running shirtless through their YouTube channel on the 25th.
Jin Taehyun began by saying, "Running is not our profession. We do it as a hobby, and these are just our personal opinions, so please don't leave malicious comments just because you disagree." He continued, "Among people, there are two main opinions: 'What's wrong with running shirtless?' and 'Is it really necessary to take off your shirt? It's uncomfortable.' We understand and agree with both perspectives."
He went on to say, "Until last year, I also ran shirtless at track fields and in parks during less crowded hours. I did the same at Namsan. To speak from the perspective of those who run shirtless, in the summer, even if you wear functional clothing, during the monsoon season in Southeast Asia or Korea, the clothes don't serve their purpose at all. They're not functional at that point." Park Si-eun added, "I saw Taehyun wring out his shirt, and it was like taking it out of the pool-water just kept pouring out. I never understood why he always said his shirt felt heavy, but after seeing that, I understood."
Jin Taehyun continued, "While running shirtless at the track, someone asked me to put my shirt back on. I had never been stopped like that before, but apparently someone said they didn't like it. It turned out that a male runner didn't like that I was running without a shirt." He added, "I've heard that there are no legal grounds to restrict running shirtless. That's why those who choose to run shirtless need to be considerate. You should always carry a dry singlet with you."
He also remarked, "These days, you see signs posted in parks. But if it's not against the law, then banners are meaningless. It would be great if hardworking lawmakers could pass relevant legislation." He suggested that allowing shirtless running only at certain times and places could be a possible solution.
Previously, a photo of a 'Running Crew No 4' information board installed at Yeouido Park in Seoul spread across social media. The board listed rules such as no taking off shirts, no clapping or shouting, no running in large groups, and no shouting "Move aside." The banner also included messages like "Let's run safely in two lines while being considerate of each other" and "This is everyone's park."
In response, some online users commented, "I've been startled and even fallen over after hearing someone shout 'Move aside' on the main road," and "It's unpleasant to see people running while shirtless." On the other hand, there were also opposing views arguing that runners' autonomy should not be restricted based solely on a few complaints.
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