Broadcaster Sayuri and comedian Yoon Hyung-bin publicly defended Lee Hwi-jae, who returned after about four years.
On the 23rd, Sayuri said "Oppa, I missed you" as she captured and released an image of Lee Hwi-jae, who is returning after four years on KBS 2TV's "Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend" (hereafter "Immortal Songs"), airing on the 28th.
In addition, Sayuri said of Lee Hwi-jae, "The oppa I know was warm, considerate, took good care of the grants and was like a neighborhood oppa who was not arrogant at all."
She went on to say, "Every time I see comments from people who have never met him in person and don't really know him acting as if they know everything about oppa's character, it breaks my heart."
Yoon Hyung-bin also said, "I may not know everything, but the senior I have always seen was truly a good person. So many people talk like that that I even wonder if there's something I don't know."
He added, "But the senior I met privately and saw on broadcasts was truly a good person. Please cheer for him," defending him.
Earlier, in the latter part of 'Immortal Songs' that aired on the 21st, a preview of '2026 entertainment industry king of singers,' which will air on the 28th, was shown. The released preview featured many performers such as Oh Man-seok, Song Il-gook, Kim Shin-young, Lalal, and Park Seong-kwang, but the person who drew the most attention was Lee Hwi-jae.
Lee Hwi-jae, who took the stage, opened by saying, "I will greet you after a long time. Nice to meet you, I am Lee Hwi-jae." Shortly after, a moment was captured in which he appeared to wipe his eyes with his hand as if tears were flowing.
Lee Hwi-jae was waiting backstage, repeatedly moistening his dry lips as if his mouth were dry, and his hands trembled. When he went on stage he hesitated and bowed his head, and at times he seemed overcome with emotion and had tears welling in his eyes.
Despite Lee Hwi-jae's return like this, negative reactions continue. Comments criticizing and mocking Lee Hwi-jae remain as controversies over his broadcasting attitude and complaints such as inter-floor noise continue to be mentioned.
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast capture
[OSEN]