Yu Jae-seok's 21st daesang and dignified acceptance speech brought the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards to a close.
On the 29th, the broadcast of the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards ranked first among all programs aired on Monday in the key advertiser and channel-competitiveness metric of adults 20-49 ratings, with part 1 at 1.5% and part 2 at 1.8% (based on part 2). Household ratings in the Seoul capital area were 4.9% for both part 1 and part 2, recording first place in the same time slot (based on part 2). The peak minute rating surged to 6.5% in part 1 during Tiger JK's congratulatory stage, a moment when everyone enjoyed the festive atmosphere. (Nielsen Korea basis)
The day's honor of daesang went to Yu Jae-seok. It was his ninth daesang at MBC and his 21st daesang trophy overall, underscoring his status as the all-time most-awarded daesang winner. In particular, through Hangout With Yoo he consistently showed relaxed and cheerful performances, once again cementing his stature as the nation's MC.
After winning the daesang, Yu Jae-seok expressed gratitude not only for Hangout With Yoo but also to many people working in variety shows and to colleagues, seniors and juniors who strive to bring joy and laughter to viewers amid increasingly difficult broadcasting conditions. In his acceptance speech he said, "I don't know how to thank everyone," and first thanked his parents and family. He mentioned his wife, Na Kyung-eun, saying, "I am grateful to Na Kyung-eun, who has always been a thankful presence."
He particularly said, "I sincerely thank Haha and Woo-jae who worked with Hangout With Yoo," and added, "I want to say that Jinju, Mijoo, and Lee Yi-kyung, who sadly left the show this year, all worked very hard and I really want to thank them," drawing attention. It was notable that he directly mentioned Lee Yi-kyung, who had been at the center of controversy after leaving the program.
This drew more attention as it coincided with the so-called "Yu Jae-seok passing controversy" that recently surrounded Lee Yi-kyung. On the 6th, Lee Yi-kyung won the AAA Best Choice award at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards held at the National Stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In his acceptance speech he referenced personal-life rumors, expressed his determination to catch the rumor spreaders, and added, "I miss Brother Haha and Brother Woo-jae."
The problem arose when some internet users misinterpreted Lee Yi-kyung's remark as a shot at the Hangout With Yoo production team and Yu Jae-seok. As the controversy grew, Lee Yi-kyung's side actively denied it, but suspicions did not disappear. In this context, Yu Jae-seok's direct mention of Lee Yi-kyung added significance.
Yu Jae-seok also offered New Year greetings, saying, "I hope all the bad things in 2025 will have a 'Good Goodbye' in 2025 like Hwasa's song, and that you will welcome 2026 carrying only good memories."
Kim Yeon-kyung swept into the variety world by an unprecedented result of winning both the rookie director award and entertainer of the year through The Wonder Coach. The Wonder Coach won the viewers' choice for variety program of the year and the best couple award, and in addition claimed best teamwork, hot issue and two other awards for a total of six crowns, proving its popularity as the must-watch variety program of 2025. The lifetime achievement award was given to the late Jun Yoo-seong, Korea's first comedian and the father of stand-up comedy, and his protégé Kim Shin-young accepted the award on his behalf.
The 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards celebrated the 30th anniversary of the MBC Entertainment Awards with an MBC Wonderland concept to give viewers a magical time. Composed of Dynamic Land, Adventure Land, Fantasy Land and Legend Land, it was filled with abundant sights and laughter as if visiting a theme park. Details such as a Ferris wheel–shaped trophy and a bouquet made of blocks truly brought the concept to life.
MCs Jun Hyun-moo and Jang Doyoun, in their second collaboration at the MBC Entertainment Awards, displayed veteran chemistry with steady and witty hosting. Celebratory stages that spanned generations and genres — beatboxers WING and Hiss, dancers Leejung and Babyzoo, hip-hop legend Tiger JK, Mamma Mia! musical's Choi Jung-won, Hong Ji-min, Kim Kyung-sun, idol group TWS, and singer-songwriter Lee Juck — raised the energy. Attending entertainers and the live audience waved light sticks and enjoyed the performances, elevating the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, hot choreographer Cani appeared with Choi Hong-man as presenters of the popularity award and spread cheerful energy by taking part in the "smooth-smooth" challenge. Magician Lee Jun-hyung performed calculator tricks and card magic, leading the audience into a wondrous magical world befitting MBC Wonderland and adding to the viewing pleasure.
Thus, the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards gathered MBC variety programs and entertainers that colorfully defined 2025 and raised expectations for even more upgraded entertainment in 2026.
The following are the winners of the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards (works)
▲Daesang: Yu Jae-seok (Hangout With Yoo)
▲Variety program of the year: The Wonder Coach
▲Entertainer of the year: <5 people> Jun Hyun-moo, Kian84, Jang Doyoun, Yu Jae-seok, Kim Yeon-kyung
▲Best male performance: You Se Yoon (Radio Star, Extreme 84)
▲Best female performance: Kim Sook (Home Alone, Help Me!)
▲Best radio award: Tei (Good Morning FM, This is Tei)
▲Special award: Masked Singer team (Kim Gu Ra, Kim Sung-Ju, Yoonsang, Yoo Young-seok, Lee Yoon-seok, Shin Bong-Sun)
▲Excellence award (male): Ku Sung-hwan (I Live Alone), Dex (Adventure by Accident)
▲Excellence award (female): Shin Bong-Sun (Masked Singer)
▲Excellence award (radio): Kim Il-joong (Women's Era Yang Hee-un, This is Kim Il-joong), Lee Sang Soon (A perfect day, this is Lee Sang Soon)
▲Producer MC award: Boom (If You Rest Well, That's Good)
▲Producer special award: Lee Yoon-seok (Masked Singer)
▲Best couple award: The Wonder Coach — Kim Yeon-kyung, Inkushi
▲Lifetime achievement award: the late Jun Yoo-seong
▲Multiplayer award: Minho (I Live Alone)
▲Best teamwork award: The Wonder Coach — Wonderdoggs team
▲Popularity award: Tzuyang (Omniscient Interfering View), Park Ji-hyun (I Live Alone)
▲Best entertainer award: Ok Ja-yeon (I Live Alone), Lee Si-eon (Adventure by Accident)
▲Hot issue award: Boo Seung-kwan (The Wonder Coach)
▲Writer of the year: Noh Min-seon (Hangout With Yoo)
▲Rookie award (male): Choi Hong-man (Omniscient Interfering View, Hangout With Yoo)
▲Rookie award (female): Kim Yeon-kyung (The Wonder Coach)
▲Rookie award (radio): Eric (THE BOYZ) (IDOL RADIO season 4)
▲Current affairs and culture sector special award: the late Kim Dong Wan (Live Tonight) (now Today's N), Kim Ho-young, Kim Ah-young (Midnight Ghost Stories season 5)
▲Current affairs and culture sector writer of the year: Lee So-young, Lee So-jung, Park Go-eun (Son Seok-hee's Questions 2 & 3)
▲Current affairs and culture sector MC award: Seo In (True Story, Good Day, Departure! Video Travel)
▲Radio sector special award: Kwon Sun-pyo (Kwon Sun-pyo's News High Kick), Storypeak Co., Ltd.
▲Radio sector writer of the year: In Soo-jin (Women's Era Yang Hee-un, This is Kim Il-joong)<
[Photo] Provided by MBC, OSEN DB.
[OSEN]