The news of a widely recognized face in Korean entertainment returning to the airwaves has already sparked significant controversy. Actor Lee Yi Kyung, whose comeback last year was put on hold due to a scandal in his personal life, is apparently gearing up for a special appearance in the airwaves, which has already evoked different reactions from his fans.
On February 7, 2026, SBS PowerFM's "Cultwo Show" said that Lee would be one of two special DJs for the show on February 12, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The appearance will be his first official entertainment event in about four months, which many see as an attempt to make a comeback after being away for a while.
The production team stressed familiarity and audience engagement when they announced the decision. Before they discussed their message in the show, they spoke about what they wanted from the broadcast. They said, "Lee Yi Kyung is a familiar and welcome face. Enjoy his special DJ hosting through live listening and the 'viewable radio.'" Koreaboo says, "We also welcome lots of real-time text participation."
Many people think that Lee's return is a way to see how the public feels. After his scandal broke last October, he canceled several TV appearances, which meant he was no longer on variety shows. Because of this, his planned DJ role has gotten a lot of attention as a possible sign of whether he can get back into the entertainment business.
READ MORE: Lee Yi Kyung and Yoo Jae Suk's Unexpected Feud Deepens — Clarification Fails to Stop the Backlash
People's reactions online have been very different. People on social media expressed uncertainty about the timing of the announcement before sharing specific responses. Some people on the internet questioned the move, asking things like, "Wasn't he just involved in a controversy?"
"Is this really the right time for a comeback?", and "It feels sudden and unsettling," as captured in posts cited by Koreaboo. Others expressed support, countering with comments such as, "I'm looking forward to it," and "He has plenty of experience, so he'll probably do well."
A German woman made accusations against Lee, saying she had had sexual conversations with him. This caused a lot of trouble for him. Lee's agency said at the time that they had done nothing wrong and would take legal action.
Before giving the agency's perspective, the representatives made it clear that they wanted to protect the actor. xportsnews says that they said, " We are taking a strong stance against the spread of false information and malicious rumors."
Things got more complicated when the woman first apologized, saying she had used AI to change posts, and then later said she felt wronged. The conflicting accounts increased confusion among the public and prolonged the investigation.
After the fallout, Lee quit MBC's "Hangout With Yoo" and also stopped hosting KBS's "The Return of Superman." As his radio appearance gets closer, people are still arguing about whether people are ready to listen.
READ MORE: Lee Yi Kyung Confirms Departure From 'How Do You Play?': What's Next for the Beloved Variety Star?
