Yoo Jae-suk, MBC Entertainment Awards '21st Grand Prize'... Lee Yi-kyung Also Embraced

National MC Yoo Jae-suk has made another history. He won the 21st Grand Prize trophy at the 〈2025 MBC Entertainment Awards〉 held on the 29th.

⬦ "The goal is 30 awards"… Yoo Jae-suk, the 'Living Legend' who has maintained the top for 20 years

Yoo Jae-suk was named the winner of the highest honor, the Grand Prize, at the 〈2025 MBC Entertainment Awards〉 held at the MBC Media Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 29th. With this award, he has now won a total of 21 Grand Prizes across the three major broadcasting networks and the Baeksang Arts Awards.

In his acceptance speech, Yoo Jae-suk expressed his feelings, saying, "The year I received my first Grand Prize was 2005, and I received my 21st in 2025." He continued, "The future is unknown to anyone, but I will strive until the end to see if I can reach 30 awards."

⬦ "Lee Yi-kyung worked hard"… Yoo Jae-suk's 'one word' that calmed the rumors of discord

Yoo Jae-suk did not forget to express his gratitude to his fellow colleagues. He thanked the cast and crew of 〈What Do You Do When You Play?〉, including broadcaster Haha and Joo Woo-jae, and specifically mentioned, "I feel sorry for Park Jin-joo, Lee Mi-joo, and Lee Yi-kyung, who left the show this year, and I appreciate their hard work," drawing attention by directly mentioning actor Lee Yi-kyung, who was at the center of the recent departure controversy.

Previously, Lee Yi-kyung revealed that he was advised by the production team to leave 〈What Do You Do When You Play?〉 due to personal life allegations last month. On the 6th, at another awards ceremony held in Taiwan, rumors of discord arose when Lee Yi-kyung did not mention Yoo Jae-suk's name.

⬦ "I apologize"… Jeon Hyun-moo bows his head over member controversy, promises renewal in 2026

Meanwhile, this entertainment awards ceremony also revealed the difficult situation in MBC's entertainment industry. Comedian Park Na-rae and SHINee's Key, who were fixed panelists on 〈I Live Alone〉, suspended their broadcasting activities due to various controversies, leading to the originally planned three MCs, Jeon Hyun-moo, Jang Do-yeon, and Key, being reduced to a two-person system with Jeon Hyun-moo and Jang Do-yeon.

Jeon Hyun-moo, who won the Entertainment Person of the Year award, stated, "This is the first time I have attended an awards ceremony with such a heavy and apologetic heart." He expressed his feelings, saying, "I feel sorry for not meeting the expectations of viewers who have chosen 〈I Live Alone〉 as their favorite entertainment show every year," and promised, "In 2026, 〈I Live Alone〉 will start a 'renewal project' to show a changed appearance."

Gian84 also received the same award and said, "This time, I will be very careful with my words. The production team of 〈I Live Alone〉 has worked hard, and good days will come again as we live," offering comfort.

⬦ The real winner of the awards ceremony is 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung'

The biggest beneficiary of this year's entertainment awards is 〈Rookie Director Kim Yeon-koung〉, who won a total of 6 awards, including the Entertainment Program of the Year award. Former national volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung expressed her gratitude, saying, "Volleyball was not a sport that received much attention, but I am grateful for the love I have received," and the main director, Kwon Rak-hee PD, commented, "It is truly a miracle of the underdog."

This year's Achievement Award was presented to the late comedian Jeon Yoo-seong, who passed away last September. Comedian Kim Shin-young, who received the award on behalf of Jeon Yoo-seong, stated, "It has been 23 years since I met Professor Jeon Yoo-seong as a mentor and student," and added, "I will go to Jirisan on January 28th for his birthday to present this achievement award."

At this year's entertainment awards, five individuals, including Jeon Hyun-moo, Gian84, Jang Do-yeon, Yoo Jae-suk, and Kim Yeon-koung, jointly received the Entertainment Person of the Year award, and the achievements of MBC entertainment were highlighted in various categories.