Broadcaster Lee Hwi-jae returned to broadcasting after about four years, and attention is focused on whether he can shake off his previously unfavorable image through this activity.
On the 16th, at the KBS new building public hall in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, a recording of KBS 2TV's Immortal Songs was held. The recording was staged as a "2026 entertainment industry king of singers special," and Lee Hwi-jae returned to broadcasting through the program after a long hiatus.
In particular, news of Lee Hwi-jae's return drew many reporters to the scene. Park Joonhyung, Hong Seok-cheon, Park Seong-gwang, Cho Hye-lyeon, Song Il-guk, Moon Seyoon, Lee Sang-hoon and other cast members appeared in turn to attend rehearsals, but Lee Hwi-jae himself did not appear in front of the press.
It was reported that Lee Hwi-jae avoided the press and quietly entered the recording studio. The expression "sneak to work" even surfaced, revealing both interest and pressure surrounding his return.
However, public opinion about his return remains divided. Some viewers responded, "Glad to see him," "I want to see him on TV after a long time," but online there are also many negative opinions such as "still uncomfortable" and "don't want to see him."
Several controversies contributed to Lee Hwi-jae developing a strong unfavorable image. His wife Moon Jeong-won was embroiled in a hidden advertisement controversy in 2020, and in 2021 she had conflicts with neighbors over noise from their twin sons.
In 2022, another controversy spread when an allegation of "dine-and-dash" arose that Moon Jeong-won did not pay for toys at an amusement park she visited with her children. At the time, Moon Jeong-won deleted most posts from her social media and YouTube channel and suspended activities.
Also, a signed CD given by a former girl group that had appeared on a used goods trading site was reexamined. The CD bore the inscription "To. Senior Lee Hwi-jae," which intensified the controversy, and at the time the agency said the item was managed by a manager and that they could not determine the leak route but were sorry.
After these controversies, Lee Hwi-jae effectively stopped broadcasting activities and went to Canada with his family for a long break. He has now returned to Korea and resumed activities, but his wife Moon Jeong-won and their twin sons are reported to still be staying in Canada.
With public opinion still divided, attention is focusing on whether Lee Hwi-jae can use this comeback as an opportunity to restore his image.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]