Breaking 4 Years of Silence... Lee Hwi-jae Resumes Broadcasting Activities Through 'Immortal Songs'

Comedian Lee Hwi-jae (53), who dominated the entertainment scene in the 90s and 2000s, is finally returning to the small screen after a long break. The stage he has chosen for his comeback, after leaving for Canada in 2022, is KBS 2TV's flagship entertainment show 〈Immortal Songs〉.

◆ 'Immortal Songs' Side Confirms "Lee Hwi-jae to Appear in the Entertainment King Competition Special"... Return After 4 Years

On the 5th (Korean time), the production team of KBS 2TV 〈Immortal Songs〉 officially announced that Lee Hwi-jae will participate as a contestant in the '2026 Entertainment King Competition Special' scheduled for the 16th. This marks his formal return after approximately 4 years since he stopped all broadcasting activities and stayed in Canada with his family following various controversies. The production team stated, "Lee Hwi-jae, who has been away from the broadcasting industry for a long time, expressed his desire to show a sincere performance, which is why we invited him to this special."

◆ From Song Il-gook and Oh Man-seok to Kim Shin-young... A Legendary Lineup in Direct Competition

This 'Entertainment King Competition Special' boasts a more glamorous cast than ever. Contestants joining Lee Hwi-jae on stage include the representative all-round entertainer Jo Hye-ryun, Moon Se-yoon, and Kim Shin-young, along with broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon. Notably, actors Song Il-gook and Oh Man-seok, who are currently performing in the musical 〈Hague〉, are expected to elevate the level of the competition. Lee Hwi-jae, who has previously worked as a singer and left behind hit songs like 'Blessing', is drawing viewers' attention to what song choices and vocal skills he will showcase on this stage.

◆ Overcoming Noise Controversy to Stand on Stage Again... What Will the Public's Reaction Be?

Lee Hwi-jae faced cold public scrutiny in 2021 due to conflicts over noise between neighbors and various controversies. After completely halting his activities in 2022 and departing for Canada to recharge, it remains to be seen whether he can quell negative public opinion and regain his reputation as a 'legend of entertainment' through this comeback. A broadcasting official commented, "Lee Hwi-jae's unique quick wit and hosting skills are still highly regarded in the industry," and analyzed, "This stage will be a turning point in determining his future activity direction."

◆ First Broadcast on March 28... Two Weeks of Emotional Anticipation

The comeback stage of Lee Hwi-jae, featured in 〈Immortal Songs〉 '2026 Entertainment King Competition Special', is set to air on March 28 and April 4, across two episodes. Since his debut in 1992, he has left behind numerous mega-hits such as 〈The Return of Superman〉 and 〈Sponge〉, and the entire nation is focused on what message he will convey through the microphone he has taken up again after 4 years.