Former Basketball Star Hur Jae Returns to TV Amid Controversy

Hur Jae, who was previously ousted from the basketball world due to his son's personal life issues, has made a comeback on television.

Sports stars Hur Jae, Oh Seung-hwan, and Pyo Seung-joo are set to showcase their variety show skills on JTBC's 'Yes Man.' The participation of these iconic figures from their respective sports has piqued the interest of fans.

Former basketball player Hur Jae is stepping into the variety show arena alongside his juniors. Previously, Hur Jae was expelled from the basketball community in 2023 amid the 'Day One Incident.' He was involved in the KBL membership and operations of Day One, but financial issues such as unpaid membership fees and acquisition payments led to significant controversy.

As a result, the KBL banned Hur Jae from all activities as a team representative, director, and coach, effectively pushing him out of the basketball scene. He also halted his entertainment activities but has recently returned to broadcasting. Additionally, Hur Jae's son, Hur Woong, was embroiled in a personal scandal in 2024 involving his ex-girlfriend, who accused him of pressuring her to have an abortion. Hur Woong denied the allegations and countersued for extortion, which impacted his public image.

A notable highlight is the reunion of Hur Jae with his former players, Seo Jang-hoon and Ha Seung-jin, whom he coached. Hur Jae plans to share anecdotes about the challenges he faced with these players during his coaching days, expressing confidence by stating, "Yes Man is a program made for me."

Additionally, Oh Seung-hwan, South Korea's top closer who announced his retirement last September, will make an appearance. Known for his heavy presence, he surprisingly possesses a sense of humor and is expected to deliver impactful moments on the variety show stage with his signature 'fastball' comments. Pyo Seung-joo, a key player in the '2020 Tokyo Olympics' semifinal success, is also embarking on a new challenge. After retiring, she demonstrated leadership as the captain of 'Rookie Coach Kim Yeon-koung's' Wonder Dogs and is expected to showcase her hidden talents on 'Yes Man.'

Catch all the action on JTBC's 'Yes Man' in March.

Reporter Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr