Singer Lee Hyo-ri to star in new variety show filmed in Canada

Singer Lee Hyo-ri [JOONGANG PHOTO]

Singer Lee Hyo-ri is returning to the small screen through a new variety show filmed in Canada, television show producer Kim Tae-ho said Wednesday.

In a YouTube video posted by the channel TEO and livestreamed on Wednesday, Kim, the star producer behind MBC’s hit shows “Infinite Challenge” (2005-18) and “Hangout with Yoo” (2019-), said that his production crew had recently gone to Canada with the singer.

“Lee had the chance to go on vacation for about a month and went to Canada, which she told us she would like to capture on film,” Kim said. “The title of the variety show will be ‘Canada Check-In.’”

The name of the new series comes from Tving’s “Seoul Check-In” (2022), a reality program also starring Lee and produced by Kim. It centered on Lee’s temporary stay in Seoul after moving to Jeju Island over nine years ago with her husband and singer-songwriter Lee Sang-soon.

According to Kim in the video, “Canada Check-In” features dogs.

“Lee has volunteered frequently at dog shelters and sent many dogs overseas for adoption,” Kim continued in the video. “She goes to Canada to once again see the dogs she had sent to Canada so that they would meet better owners."

The release date of "Canada Check-In" was not disclosed.

As for “Seoul Check-In,” Kim said that a shortened 10-episode version of the series will be broadcast on tvN starting next Monday. The original series has 12 episodes, including the pilot.

After a successful career with hit girl group Fin.K.L in the late 1990’s, Lee Hyo-ri debuted as a solo artist in 2003 with the song “10 Minutes” and the album “Stylish...” Her most popular songs include "U-Go-Girl" (2008) and "Bad Girls" (2013).

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]