According to a report by a Korean entertainment outlet on the 17th, Lee Hwi-jae has decided not to return to Canada, where his family resides, after completing the recording of 'Immortal Songs'. Instead, he plans to remain in Korea to explore future broadcasting opportunities. Although no specific programs have been confirmed yet, Lee is said to be staying at his residence in Korea, keeping his options open for various possibilities.
Lee participated in the recording of KBS2's 'Immortal Songs' at the KBS New Building Public Hall in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The recording was part of a special '2026 Entertainment King Battle' episode. For his performance, Lee chose to sing Ho-seop Choi's 'When Time Passes'. This marked his first return to the stage in four years.
Reports indicate that Lee was visibly nervous throughout the recording, and he was even seen shedding tears during rehearsals. In response, netizens have shown support for Lee, with comments such as "Four years is a long time for reflection, even for non-criminals," "Even those with criminal records return to acting quickly, what's the issue here?", and "He didn't commit any crimes like drug use or drunk driving, it's excessive."
Lee's return has also brought past controversies back into the spotlight. In 2016, during the 'SBS Drama Awards', he faced criticism for making inappropriate remarks to actor Sung Dong-il, asking if he had come from home and mistaking him for a staff member. He also stirred controversy by asking Namkoong Min to mention a co-star's flaws from the drama 'Beautiful Gong Shim'. Lee later apologized, admitting his attempt to be humorous was overzealous.
His wife, Moon Jung-won, has also been at the center of several controversies. In 2017, she faced allegations of not paying for toys at an amusement park, and in 2021, she was criticized for noise complaints related to playing baseball indoors with their children. Moon acknowledged her oversight and apologized.
Due to these ongoing controversies, Lee effectively halted his broadcasting activities in 2022 and moved to Canada with his family. This led to persistent rumors of his retirement and emigration.
Reporter: Da-yeon Jeong, Ten Asia light@tenasia.co.kr