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| Immortal Songs / Photo: KBS2 capture |
The KBS2 variety program aired on the 28th, marking Lee Hwi-jae’s first TV appearance in four years.
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| Immortal Songs / Photo: KBS2 capture |
At the top of the show the hosts welcomed him, remarking, “Finally, he’s here on Immortal.” Jo Hye-ryeon greeted him warmly, “He’s loyal, really loyal,” and Lee Chan-won recalled working with him when he first debuted as an MC.
When Hong Seok-cheon teased him to apologize for his absence, Lee apologized sheepishly. Jo Hye-ryeon joked that next to Park Jun-hyung he looked nearly paper-white — “black and white,” she quipped, calling him a “black-and-white chef,” drawing laughs.
Lee Hwi-jae then formally introduced himself. “It’s been a long time. I’m glad to be back — I’m Lee Hwi-jae,” he said. He admitted that saying he’d been fine would be dishonest, explaining he’d spent a lot of time going back and forth between his children and his wife and doing a lot of personal reflection.
He added that after taking the booking call he even got a massage. Returning after such a long break felt completely different, he said — the lights used to feel hot and make him sweat, but this time was not like that.
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| Immortal Songs / Photo: KBS2 capture |
Lee was introduced as the fourth performer. “I won’t take long,” he said. “I spent precious time with my family and have been taking stock of many past mistakes.”
When Kim Jun-hyun observed he’d never seen Lee so nervous, Kim Shin-young recalled how anxious she used to get appearing on his programs, and that Lee always told her to “goof around and have fun.” She and Jo Hye-ryeon also noted they both debuted in 1992 and worked together at MBC.
Kim Shin-young lightened the mood with a memory: Lee Hwi-jae was the original comedian heartthrob. She remembered magazines listing celebrities’ addresses in the back, and a cousin so devoted she tracked down his home. “She’d only wait around when my mom made jangjorim — that was her favorite,” she laughed.
Lee, who once juggled careers as a comedian and a singer, said he had sung a ballad and enlisted the next day. He’d never officially performed “Bye, Excuse (Say Goodbye)” on stage; now, some 30 years later, he was finally presenting a stage on Immortal.
He explained his song choice: the lyrics matched his situation, so he decided to sing senior artist Choi Ho-seop’s “If Time Goes By.” “Honestly, I was very worried,” he admitted. “It’s been so long and the pressure felt enormous. Three weeks ago I even experienced sleep paralysis — I dreamt I was on set but couldn’t open my mouth.”
Anticipating reactions after the announcement, he said he messaged the production team and told them he’d step back if it became too difficult. “They were very supportive,” he added.
He also revealed he’d cried during rehearsal the previous day. “I felt inadequate, I made mistakes. I know best what I messed up. You can’t turn back time, so I decided to make the most of what I’m given now,” he said.
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| Immortal Songs / Photo: KBS2 capture |
Lee took the stage visibly nervous. “I never thought my name would appear on TV again,” he said, voice thick. “Today I’ll sing ‘If Time Goes By.’ I’ll keep it simple and sincere.”
He delivered a subdued, heartfelt rendition of “If Time Goes By,” and cameras captured audience members wiping their eyes.
Colleagues, including Jo Hye-ryeon, were moved to tears. Jo said she could feel what Lee endured during his absence. “That time helped him grow. I think we’ll grow old together, and I want to keep supporting him,” she said.
After his performance, Lee recalled the day he received the booking call — a moment he couldn’t put into words. He wondered whether such an opportunity would come again. Ironically, that day happened to be his mother’s death anniversary. “I had prepared her favorite dishes, and then the phone rang. I thought, ‘Maybe my mother helped me,’” he said.
He reflected that when he was busier he didn’t always appreciate what he had. Now he treasures simple things: the commute to Yeouido, the energy he gets from meeting colleagues. “Honestly, I was so happy when they called to book me,” he said.
He also mentioned his well-known twin sons. “Seo-eon and Seo-jun are in seventh grade now. When they were younger they didn’t really understand, but now they know what Dad does. They learned why I had to step back because of my mistakes. They didn’t say it out loud, but they wrote me letters…” He trailed off, overcome with emotion.
Shin Dong-yup asked whether his sons had encouraged him. Lee replied that they told him they wanted him to work. When Shin joked about whether their friends would be impressed, Lee said the boys already knew he’d released an album and had proudly told their friends.
The judging panel awarded the win to Lee Hwi-jae. Surprised, he showed a stunned expression as Moon Se-yoon embraced and congratulated him.
[Sports Today reporter Jeong Ye-won ent@stoo.com]
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