Yu Jae-seok, MBC's ninth and 21st overall grand prize… 'national MC' sets new record
'2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' the final entertainer award went, as expected, to Yu Jae-seok. That he set a surprising new record by winning his 21st is remarkable, but his dignity as the national MC brings warmer feelings and congratulations.
When Yu Jae-seok's name was called as the winner of the final entertainer award at the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards held on the 29th, the venue was filled with enthusiastic applause. Yu Jae-seok has previously won the grand prize eight times at MBC, and that day he returned to the stage as a grand prize nominee, poised to set yet another record.
When MC Jun Hyun-moo said, "The nominee Kian84 was already writing his acceptance speech," Yu Jae-seok replied, "People prepare acceptance speeches even if they might not win. Anyone has the right to give an acceptance speech," showing a dignified response. Asked about his chances of winning the grand prize, he said, "I'd say about 49%. It would be arrogant to say over 50%," and joked, "Gura hyung told me to say it confidently, so I'll go with 49," drawing laughter.
Before the award was announced, Yu Jae-seok said, "Many programs flash through my mind like a slideshow," and added, "There are many people who debuted around the same time as me, and I don't know how the time passed." He continued, "I've endured thanks to the help of many people," and credited others, saying, "Above all, thank you to the members and production staff who worked hard this year. It's thanks to you."
The announced grand prize winner was Yu Jae-seok. With this, he set an unprecedented record: his ninth grand prize at the MBC Entertainment Awards and his 21st grand prize overall.
On stage, Yu Jae-seok said, "I don't know how to express my thanks," and first thanked his parents and family. He mentioned his wife Na Kyung-eun, saying, "I am always grateful to Na Kyung-eun," revealing his consistent 'romantic' side.
He also expressed deep gratitude to the Hangout With Yoo production team and members. Yu Jae-seok said, "Hangout With Yoo changes its format every week, creating unpredictable situations," and added, "Many staff work hard to meet broadcast times. I want to say that thanks to you, each week's broadcasts went well."
He went on to say sincerely, "Receiving a big award is personally an honor and I am grateful, but at some point I wanted to look into the eyes of each person who gives applause and support until late at night and thank those who work behind the cameras." He added, "Not only me but someone's son or daughter, thanks to your dedication and effort I have been able to stand here more than twenty times," and said, "Even as the broadcasting environment becomes more difficult, I want to tell colleagues, seniors and juniors who endure quietly that they have worked hard."
Finally, Yu Jae-seok said, "Above all, I thank the viewers. Many programs exist because of you," and stated, "Since my first grand prize in 2005, I have received my 21st grand prize today. I will strive to reach 30." He continued, "I hope 2026 will be a fresh start. You cannot always be happy, but I hope you always smile and stay safe. Next year I will also work hard on Hangout With Yoo," he vowed.
With humility, humor and a sense of responsibility, Yu Jae-seok once again extended his own record that day, writing a present-tense history under the name 'national MC.'
<2025 MBC Entertainment Awards winners summary> - radio sector Radio rookie award: The Boyz Eric Radio excellence award: A Perfect Day – Lee Sang Soon Women's Era Yang Hee-un, This is Kim Il-joong – Kim Il-joong Radio grand excellence award: Good Morning FM, this is Tei – Tei
- rookie awards Female rookie award: rookie director Kim Yeon-kyung – Kim Yeon-kyung Male rookie award: Omniscient Interfering View, Hangout With Yoo – Choi Hong-man
- popularity awards Popularity award female division: Omniscient Interfering View – Tzuyang Popularity award male division: I Live Alone – Park Ji-hyun
- excellence awards Excellence award female division: King of Mask Singer – Shin Bong-Sun Excellence award male division: I Live Alone – Ku Sung-hwan Taegye Ilju – Dex (joint winners) - top excellence awards Top excellence award female division: Home! Help Me, Omniscient Interfering View – Kim Sook Top excellence award male division: Radio Star – You Se Yoon
- special·theme awards Best entertainer award female: I Live Alone – Ok Ja-yeon Best entertainer award male: Adventure by Accident – Lee Si-eon Best teamwork award: The Wonder Coach Best couple award: The Wonder Coach – Kim Yeon-kyung × Inkusi Multi-player award: I Live Alone – Lee Minho Hot issue award: The Wonder Coach – Bu Seung-gwan Producer's special award: King of Mask Singer – Lee Yoon-seok Producer MC award: Take a Good Rest – Boom
Lifetime achievement award: the late Jeon Yoo-sung
- entertainers of the year (total 5) Jun Hyun-moo ('I Live Alone', 'Omniscient Interfering View') Kian84 ('Extreme 84', 'I Live Alone', 'Taegye Ilju') Jang Doyoun ('Radio Star') Yu Jae-seok ('Hangout With Yoo') Kim Yeon-kyung ('The Wonder Coach')
- entertainment program of the year: The Wonder Coach
- grand prize: Hangout With Yoo – Yu Jae-seok<
[Photo] '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards'
[OSEN]