Singer, actor Lee Seung-gi to host new JTBC survival program 'Peak Time'
Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi, who has recently been at the center of controversy due to a conflict with his former agency Hook Entertainment, will be back on the small screen as the host of a K-pop audition show.
“Singer and actor Lee Seung-gi will join global K-pop idol survival program ‘Peak Time’ as a host,” JTBC announced on Monday.
Lee has hosted two seasons of JTBC’s previous hit audition shows “Sing Again” (2020-21) and “Sing Again 2” (2021-22), which have seen commercial success by bringing anonymous singers into the spotlight.
The upcoming “Peak Time,” helmed by the production staff of “Sing Again,” was first revealed as a new global project in June. Similar to the theme of “Sing Again,” the show will offer already-debuted K-pop idols whose activities were halted — whether due to Covid-19, agency issues, or rookie idols who want to step up to the spotlight — a second chance for success. The show contestants are all from boy bands and they will compete to win the ultimate title of “Worldwide Idol.”
“Lee is the best host who is irreplaceable in terms of his excellency and of course, his unrivaled music capacity to sympathize with and represent what the contestants are going through in the show,” JTBC said. “As he’s done with ‘Sing Again,’ he will show, once again, synergy with the contestants on this show.”
“Peak Time” is scheduled to air sometime early next year.
Lee recently ended his contract with Hook Entertainment after the agency admitted that it failed to pay the singer his earnings. Lee has been a popular singer since his debut in 2004 and released a total of 137 songs over the past 18 years, but he claims he has not received any payment for the digital streams or downloads of his songs.
Hook Entertainment’s CEO Kwon Jin-young is currently facing accusations of embezzlement and misuse of the company credit card.
BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]