By Moon Junho, SPOTV News. Broadcaster Lee Hwi-jae has signaled a comeback after four years, and the announcement has sparked a heated debate. While many in the public have greeted him with skepticism, several colleagues have publicly spoken up in his defense.
KBS2’s variety show Immortal Songs recently revealed Lee’s participation in a promo for its 2026 Entertainment Champion special. In the teaser, Lee stepped onto the stage and, with tears in his eyes, said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to greet you.” He left for Canada with his family in 2022, and this marks his first clear sign of returning in roughly four years.
Reactions have been sharply divided. Although Lee largely remained out of the public eye while in Canada, his return to Korea has turned him into a contentious topic.
On the Immortal Songs viewer bulletin board, more than 100 protest messages opposing his appearance have been posted, fueling strong backlash. Viewers cited past controversies—ranging from his conduct while hosting awards shows to disputes over noise complaints with neighbors—as reasons for resisting his comeback.
YouTube comments on the teaser likewise flooded in with criticism: “Is this some insiders’ club?” and “Tears don’t erase past controversies.” Some commenters even questioned whether a public broadcaster should give him this platform.
Others pushed back against the backlash with remarks like, “People come back even after drunk driving—why the double standard?” and “Couldn’t he have laid low for a while? Do we have to cancel him?” Amid the uproar, a number of fellow entertainers publicly expressed support despite knowing the public’s unease.
Broadcaster Sayuri defended Lee on social media, writing that it’s painful to see people claim to know his character without actually knowing him, and calling him a warm, considerate person. Comedian Yoon Hyung-bin also offered support, saying, “Senior Hwi-jae is genuinely a good person. I’ve never seen anyone dislike him.”
The divide remains wide between the personal character colleagues praise and the on-screen image viewers remember, leaving opinions within and beyond the entertainment industry split.
Ultimately, whether Lee—who began his comeback in tears after a four-year hiatus—can win back public sentiment is uncertain. The Immortal Songs Entertainment Champion special is scheduled to air over two weeks, on the 28th and the 4th of next month.
