Lee Hwi-jae loses father three years after mother's passing—relationship in 'The Return of Superman' revisited

Broadcaster Lee Hwi-jae has lost his father, three years after the passing of his mother. As he was a father who once brought laughter alongside his twin grandsons on variety shows, news of his passing has brought renewed attention to the special relationship between the two on 'The Return of Superman'.

According to broadcasting and medical circles on the 6th, Lee Hwi-jae's father, the late Lee Gang-il, passed away in the early hours of this day at the age of 87. The deceased's funeral altar has been prepared at the Hanyang University Hospital Funeral Hall in Seoul, and condolences can be offered starting from 2 PM today. The funeral procession will take place at 9 AM on the 8th, and the burial site is Seoul Memorial Park.

The deceased previously appeared on KBS2 'The Return of Superman' alongside Lee Hwi-jae and his twin grandsons, Seo-eon and Seo-jun. At that time, the two appeared on screen not as an affectionate father and son, but rather in a somewhat awkward and realistic manner. Lee Hwi-jae once confessed that because his father worked as a maritime sailor for a long time and was away from home often, and due to his patriarchal personality, he was a person who was difficult to approach during his childhood.

However, as Lee Hwi-jae got married and had two sons, changes gradually occurred in the father-son relationship. By spending time with his grandsons and planning trips, Lee Hwi-jae belatedly closed the distance with his father. In particular, the scene where he appeared on the stage of the program 'Golden Oldies (TV program)' along with his twin sons to perform 'Cha-Cha-Cha Together' for his father, who usually loved the show, for Parents' Day, remains deeply impressive to this day.

But behind the laughter, there were also heartbreaking moments. While watching TV with his family after filming, the father, whose dementia symptoms had worsened, could not recognize his son and grandsons on the screen and said, "I don't know who they are." Lee Hwi-jae eventually could not hold back his emotions in front of his family and went into the closet to sob. The son's heart, watching his father—whom he thought they had become close to—fail to recognize him and his grandsons, was conveyed fully to the viewers.

As the news arrives that the father, who was like that, has now left the world, the scenes from the broadcast at that time...

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