Actor Lee Yi-kyung shared an update not at the MBC Entertainment Awards but through a drama awards ceremony.
On the afternoon of the 29th, the 11th APAN Star Awards (2025 Seoul Con APAN Star Awards) was held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall 1 in Seoul. The 2025 APAN Star Awards, hosted by actor Kim Seungwoo and broadcaster Park Sun-young, is the only integrated drama awards ceremony in Korea that covers content across all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters, general programming channels, cable, OTT and web dramas.
On that day, the second part of the 2025 APAN Star Awards opened with the excellence in acting awards for long-form dramas. In particular, actors Lee Yi-kyung and Jang Hee-ryeong appeared as presenters for the excellence in acting award for long-form dramas, drawing attention.
Coincidentally, at the same time the '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' was taking place at the MBC Media Center public hall in Sangam-dong. Lee Yi-kyung, who stepped down from Hangout With Yoo amid allegations about his private life and was unable to appear at the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards, participated as a presenter at the 2025 APAN Star Awards.
Lee Yi-kyung opened by saying, "Certainly when you come to an awards ceremony you get to see people you normally wouldn't see all in one place, so there is excitement." Jang Hee-ryeong said, "You make connections here and when you meet later on set it will feel even more welcoming and you can become close quickly," and Lee Yi-kyung nodded, saying, "That's right. You learn from seniors, see juniors and get stimulated; the energy of giving and receiving can grow."
On this, Jang Hee-ryeong asked about the next work DREAM STAGE, saying, "Senior, that connection is going beyond Korea overseas, I heard you are advancing into Japanese drama," and Lee Yi-kyung said, "I think it's a good opportunity. I go back and forth and am working hard to spread Korean acting in Japan. I'm working hard."
He asked, "I heard Jang Hee-ryeong is also shooting her next work," and Jang Hee-ryeong added, "I appear with senior IU here in 21st century great madam, so please give it a lot of expectation and interest."
Meanwhile, Lee Yi-kyung was recently embroiled in a private life controversy. Lee Yi-kyung denied the allegations and is pursuing legal action against the accuser, but amid the fallout from the controversy he stepped down from Hangout With Yoo and other MBC shows. Lee Yi-kyung posted a shot at Hangout With Yoo on his social account and, at the 10th Asia Artist Awards 2025 (AAA 2025) held on the 6th, after winning the AAA Best Choice he added a pointed remark, "SNL Korea, are you watching? I now have Thursdays off. Haha hyung, I miss Woo-jae hyung," drawing attention.
Afterward, suspicions were raised that deliberately naming members of Hangout With Yoo while excluding Yu Jae-seok was a targeted remark, and the agency Sangyoung ENT explained, "It was simply expressing honest feelings and gratitude at a rare official event after a long time, and there was no intention to target a specific individual."
[Photo] tvN
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