Broadcaster Lee Hwi-jae completed recording for Immortal Songs after a four-year hiatus. With his wife Moon Jung-won and their twin sons still staying in Canada, he is preparing his return to broadcasting alone without a manager, drawing attention from the industry.
On the 17th, an exclusive OSEN report revealed that Lee Hwi-jae attended the recording of KBS 2TV variety program Immortal Songs (abbreviated as Immortal) held on the 16th and handled the schedule alone without help from a manager or family.
That day, Immortal was anticipated as the program marking Lee Hwi-jae's return after four years. His most recent broadcast prior to this was MBN's Battle in the Box, which ended in 2022.
According to multiple entertainment industry sources, Lee Hwi-jae prepared alone for that day's Immortal recording. In particular, his wife Moon Jung-won and the twin sons, who had appeared with him on various past broadcasts, were revealed to still be staying in Canada. The family did not emigrate to Canada. However, considering the sons' schooling and other local circumstances, Lee Hwi-jae is expected to stay in Korea alone for the time being to prepare his return to broadcasting.
Regarding this, sources said, "If the family had been in Korea, they would have come to show their support," "I understand the wife and the i-dle are still staying in Canada," and "I have not heard about the family's return plans."
However, Lee Hwi-jae currently does not have a separate agency under an exclusive contract. Nonetheless, former managers who have supported his long broadcasting career reportedly visited the Immortal set to cheer for his return to the entertainment industry. A source who supported Lee Hwi-jae asked, "Isn't it still a stage where we have to wait and see the reaction after the broadcast? Please watch kindly."
At the Immortal Songs recording that day, Lee Hwi-jae reportedly appeared cautious. The recording was organized as an "entertainment world king" special, bringing together many senior and junior colleagues who had worked with him on numerous past broadcasts, including comedians Cho Hye-lyeon, Kim Shin-young, Park Joonhyung, and Park Sung-kwang, and actors Hong Seok-cheon, Song Il-gook, and Oh Man-seok. Among them, Lee Hwi-jae performed "If Time Passes" and was reportedly moved to tears on stage during his return to broadcasting after a long time.
Immortal Songs featuring Lee Hwi-jae is scheduled to air at the end of this month and in early April.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]