Yoo Hee-yeol to return to broadcasting after 3-year hiatus on 'Bae Chul-soo’s Music Camp'

Singer-songwriter Yoo Hee-yeol / Courtesy of Antenna

Singer-songwriter Yoo Hee-yeol is returning to broadcasting with a comeback on MBC radio’s long-running program “Bae Chul-soo’s Music Camp" after stepping away three years ago amid plagiarism allegations.

At a press conference Tuesday at MBC’s new headquarters in Seoul, the show’s producer Nam Tae-jung revealed that host Bae Chul-soo will be taking a vacation to mark the 35th anniversary of the program.

During his absence, a lineup of guest DJs will fill in, including musicians Okdal, Yoon Do-hyun, Yiruma and Yoo Hee-yeol. Nam said the guest hosts will take turns over the next two weeks.

Yoo’s return is drawing attention, as it marks his first public appearance since 2022, when he was accused of plagiarizing a composition by Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto. Although Sakamoto personally stated that he did not consider the work plagiarism, additional allegations involving other songs fueled continued criticism.

Yoo denied the claims, saying many of the accusations were subjective and difficult to accept, though he acknowledged the controversy. As public backlash mounted, Yoo suspended all activities.

His long-running music program “Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook” came to an end with his departure, and he also stepped down from the variety show “New Festa.”

Now returning to the public eye, Yoo is expected to deliver a message to listeners during his guest DJ appearance.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.