From Sayuri to Yoo Hyeong-bin, colleagues openly voiced support for Lee Hwi-jae's return after four years, drawing attention to public opinion.
Broadcaster Sayuri and comedian Yoo Hyeong-bin publicly showed support for Lee Hwi-jae as he returns after four years. As a view from colleagues that differs from the image the public has formed has been revealed, attention is turning to changes in public opinion about his comeback.
On the 23rd, Sayuri posted "Oppa, I missed you," and shared a screenshot of Lee Hwi-jae from a preview of KBS 2TV's 'Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend' airing on the 28th. She recalled, "The oppa I know was warm, considerate, took good care of the performers, and was like a neighborhood older brother who wasn't at all arrogant." She also expressed sadness, saying, "It hurts my heart every time I see comments by people who have never met him or don't really know him acting as if they know everything about his character."
Yoo Hyeong-bin felt the same way. On the same day, Yoo also expressed his trust in Lee Hwi-jae. He said, "I may not know everything, but the senior I have seen was truly a good person," and honestly added, "So many people are talking like that that I wonder if there's something I don't know." He continued, "He was always a good person both offstage and on the air. Please support him," adding his encouragement.
This came after criticism continued over Lee Hwi-jae's return. At the end of 'Immortal Songs' that aired on the 21st, a preview for the '2026 entertainment industry king of singers' was released, and the most eye-catching figure was undoubtedly Lee Hwi-jae. On stage, he cautiously opened by saying, "It has been a while since I greeted you. Nice to meet you, I'm Lee Hwi-jae," and soon appeared to choke up with reddened eyes. Behind the stage, he was also seen moistening his dry lips and trembling hands as if nervous, conveying the full burden of returning.
But once the preview aired, the controversy intensified. Viewer boards were flooded with criticism and filled with negative reaction. Lee Hwi-jae, who had been polarizing public opinion with various controversies and an "unfavorable image," drew attention this time because unusually close juniors stepped forward to testify to his humane side and openly support him.
Attention is focused on what reaction the gap between the "Lee Hwi-jae on set" described by colleagues and the image the public remembers will elicit, and what effect this support will have on his comeback.
[Photo] 'OSEN DB
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