Lee Yi Kyung withdrawn as MC of 'The Return of Superman' amid personal controversy, Kim Jong Min selected as new host

On November 11, SPOTV News reported that Kim Jong Min has been officially appointed as the new MC of KBS2’s variety program 'The Return of Superman.'

Originally, the show had selected Lee Yi Kyung and RalRal as new MCs for its fall lineup in October. Lee Yi Kyung, in particular, drew attention as the first unmarried MC in the program’s history.

However, ahead of the first fall recording, the production team decided to cancel Lee Yi Kyung’s role entirely due to recent personal life controversies. After careful consideration, they chose the widely popular and reliable comedian Kim Jong Min as the new MC.

Kim Jong Min married a non-celebrity woman 11 years his junior in April and has expressed a strong desire to have children. He even gave up drinking and smoking to prepare for parenthood. Known for his cheerful personality, healthy lifestyle, and professional dedication, he is widely regarded as an ideal fit for 'The Return of Superman.'

Together with newly appointed MC RalRal, Kim Jong Min is expected to bring fresh and positive energy to the show.

Meanwhile, Lee Yi Kyung also stepped down from 'Hangout with Yoo,' where he had been appearing for three years. Since September, he has been filming the movie 'Regret Of The Times.' He is also scheduled to appear in the Vietnamese film 'I Am Here' and Japan’s TBS program 'Dream Stage,' which will take him overseas and lead him to reduce commitments to some regular programs.

Lee Yi Kyung recently faced public scrutiny over personal life allegations. A German woman, A, posted on her blog and social media claiming to have exchanged inappropriate messages with Lee Yi Kyung, along with photos and videos. She later admitted that the content was entirely fabricated using AI and issued an apology.

Lee Yi Kyung’s agency, Sangyoung ENT, stated, “We are preparing legal action against the spreading of false information and malicious rumors on online communities and social media. Considering the severity of the matter, we will calculate the direct and indirect damages caused by the false claims and take all necessary measures.”

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