DJ Lee Bon returns to KBS radio after 21 years with 'Lee Bon’s La La Land'
Singer and actor Lee Bon poses during a press conference for KBS radio show “Lee Bon’s La La Land” at the KBS headquarters in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of KBS
Veteran singer, actor, and former "national DJ" Lee Bon has made a long-awaited return to her roots at KBS radio after a 21-year hiatus. On Monday, she premiered her new program “Lee Bon’s La La Land,” bringing both nostalgia and curiosity from longtime fans and a new generation of listeners.
A press conference for the show took place at the KBS headquarters in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, where Lee and producer Yoon Sung-hyun spoke about the show’s vision.
Designed for middle-aged listeners looking to unwind in the late afternoon, the program promises to deliver lighthearted stories and uplifting music. Yoon previously produced hit shows including “Ryu Hee-yeol’s Radio Heaven,” “Volume Up,” and “Super Junior’s Kiss the Radio.”
KBS Radio Center chief Kim Byung-jin introduced Lee as a “returning national DJ,” recalling her powerful presence during the 30th anniversary of “Volume Up,” which she originally hosted in the late 1990s.
“She’s still going strong,” Kim said. “We expect great things from her, just like we would from a top athlete.”
Producer Yoon said he had no doubt Lee was the ideal DJ to lead the program. “She’s a living legend, an all-time icon,” he said. “There was never a question about bringing her back. Listeners will finally get to reconnect with someone they’ve long missed.”
Lee last hosted a KBS radio program between 1995 and 2004. Speaking on her return, she said, “I feel scared, honestly. I wasn’t always seen as approachable, but I hope people see me in a new light now.”
As for the show’s title, “La La Land,” she said, “I wanted the name to reflect the magical feeling I hope listeners experience while spending time with me.”
Actor and singer Lee Bon returns to KBS radio after over two decades. Courtesy of KBS
The program features Lee’s voice on the theme song, a decision the producer strongly supported. “When I heard the concept, I could instantly picture the world of the show,” Yoon said. “And with her background as a singer and actress, having her voice in the theme just made perfect sense.”
Lee opened up about the long gap in her public career, explaining that she had stepped away to care for her mother, who had been battling a long illness.
“I didn’t plan this comeback, but everything just clicked into place,” she said. “It feels like the right time. I’ve held on, and I’m proud of that.”
When asked about how she plans to connect with younger listeners unfamiliar with her earlier career, Lee replied, “I’ll just do things my way and keep my ears open.”
As for dream guests, she named a wide-ranging list: “I’d love to meet Seo Taiji, Solid, Kim Gun-mo, Jo PD, Park Ki-young, Lyn, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, G-Dragon, and of course BTS,” she said, laughing.
Born in 1972, Lee Bon debuted in 1993 through SBS’s open recruitment and quickly rose to fame as a triple threat — actor, singer, and beloved radio DJ. Her most recent TV appearance was on TV Chosun’s sitcom “Somehow Family” in 2021.
“Lee Bon’s La La Land” airs every day from 4 to 6 p.m. on KBS 2 Radio.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.