Kim Sook·Kim Jong-min·Jun Hyun-moo… and Park Bo-gum? '2025 KBS Entertainment Awards' nominees announcement causes stir
As soon as the '2025 KBS Entertainment Awards' grand prize nominees were revealed, online reaction surged. The inclusion of actor Park Bo-gum's name among prominent variety entertainers drew responses that it was unexpected.
On the 15th, the '2025 KBS Entertainment Awards' organizers officially announced the seven grand prize nominees. Kim Sook, Kim Young-hee, Kim Jong-min, Park Bo-gum, Boom, Lee Chan-won and Jun Hyun-moo will compete for the grand prize trophy. With the leading figures who have carried KBS variety shows this year all assembled, the lineup alone predicts a fierce contest.
Kim Sook has played a central role in KBS variety through numerous programs including 'The Owner's Ears Are Donkey Ears', 'Problem Child in House', 'Baedalwasseuda' and 'Pursuing Old Encounters'. Already a grand prize winner once and a three-time entertainer of the year awardee, attention is focused on her another run at the grand prize.
Kim Young-hee built a relatable character that spans generations with the popular 'Gag Concert' segment 'Malja grandma, the communication king', and expanded it into her solo variety show 'Malja Show', establishing herself as a new variety icon.
Kim Jong-min is an iconic figure of '2 Days & 1 Night.' Having supported KBS variety for 18 years, he has already won one individual grand prize and two team grand prizes, raising the possibility of achieving a record of four grand prizes.
Boom steadily showed his presence with steady hosting and friendly charm on shows such as 'Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant' and 'Heart on Wheels'. Jun Hyun-moo also solidified his position as a leading MC through shows like 'The Owner's Ears Are Donkey Ears' and 'Crazy Rich Korean', and is regarded as a strong candidate who has won the entertainer of the year award four years in a row.
Lee Chan-won, last year the youngest male individual grand prize winner, has left open the possibility of a second consecutive win this year through numerous programs such as 'Immortal Songs', 'Fun-Staurant' and 'The Secret of the Celebrity Soldier.'
Among these names, the most eye-catching is undoubtedly Park Bo-gum. Through 'The Seasons – Park Bo-gum's Cantabile' he served as the first actor MC and the longest-serving MC of 'The Seasons', delivering a calm delivery with a deep understanding of music. In addition, his nearly 10-year connection to KBS music variety programs, including past stints as 'MUSIC BANK' MC and world tour MC, is interpreted as a background for his nomination.
But online reactions are divided. Among internet users opinions such as "Among the seven nominees, Park Bo-gum is the only non-comedian, so it feels unfamiliar" and "Isn't the Entertainment Awards a ceremony centered on variety entertainers?" have emerged, while defending views like "Watching his Cantabile hosting makes it easy to accept" and "Although an actor, his ability as a variety MC was solid" also counter them. In particular, there are many responses such as "It's a shock given that most past grand prize nominees were mainly comedians and broadcasters" and "Wouldn't a special award or producer award suit him more than the grand prize?" Conversely, evaluations that "If contributions to variety are judged regardless of genre, Park Bo-gum is also qualified" coexist.
Amid the stellar lineup of nominees, Park Bo-gum's name has emerged as both a "shock" and a "point of contention," drawing attention even before the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the '2025 KBS Entertainment Awards' will be hosted by Lee Chan-won, Lee Min-jung and Moon Se-yoon and will be held on the 20th (Sat) at 9:20 p.m. at the KBS new building public hall, and will be broadcast live on KBS 2TV. Attention is focused on who will take home the prestigious grand prize trophy.
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