Everyone hoped, but once again it did not happen. Despite the Running Man members cheering in unison, Jee Seokjin's daesang was postponed until next time.
Earlier, SBS Running Man members had publicly supported Jee Seokjin for the daesang on air. In the recently aired "상품 털이 연말 정산" Race, a mission predicting members' actions was held with the concept of a "Running year-end hearing," and at the center of it was Jee Seokjin.
When asked, "Do you think you will be a nominee for the 2025 entertainment grand prize?" Jee Seokjin bristled, saying, "I wasn't nominated," and drew a line by saying, "I'm not someone who covets the daesang. I'm not hung up on it." But he soon reversed himself, saying, "If they give it to me, I'll take it," which elicited laughter. When Kim Jong Kook said, "Shouldn't they give it to hyung now?" Jee Seokjin appeared embarrassed, saying, "It's burdensome," and gave an awkward smile, but that moment was taken as more than a joke.
The entertainment grand prize has long been a stage of both hope and regret for Jee Seokjin. He was mentioned as a strong candidate several times, including in 2021, but he never took home the daesang, and last year it was once again a topic when his close friend Yu Jae-seok won the daesang. At the time Jee Seokjin coolly brushed it off, saying, "I would have congratulated whoever won," but Yu Jae-seok also said, "I felt sorry for Jee Seokjin," leaving a deep aftertaste.
Meanwhile, Jee Seokjin was actually named a nominee for the 2025 SBS entertainment grand prize. The nominee list included strong figures such as Yu Jae-seok, Jun Hyun-moo, Tak Jae-Hoon, Shin Dong-yeob, Lee Sang Min, and Seo Jang-hoon, alongside Jee Seokjin, raising expectations.
Support for Jee Seokjin continued at the awards ceremony. When Running Man was announced as the winner of the top popular program award, Jee Seokjin candidly revealed his feelings, saying, "Being here makes me oddly nervous. It seems nothing will happen, but I'm drinking kimchi soup," and went on to say, "We've won so many awards on Running Man that there's probably no chance for the daesang. I'll just watch comfortably now," which drew laughter.
Yu Jae-seok publicly voiced his support, saying, "I don't know who will win the daesang, but personally I hope Seok-sam hyung gets it." However, Jee Seokjin said calmly, "Strangely there is a feeling. If I don't get it, it would look too bad," while also saying, "But it doesn't matter. I'll watch comfortably." In particular, his remark, "When a team wins a lot of awards, individual daesangs are almost impossible. I'm analyzing it," revealed a bitter awareness of reality and added to the poignancy.
In the end, the daesang went to Lee Sang Min. Immediately after the announcement Lee Sang Min reacted in surprise, saying, "No, no," and Jee Seokjin was among the first to approach and congratulate him with a hug. Yu Jae-seok also embraced Lee Sang Min, saying, "Good job," creating a heartwarming scene.
In his acceptance speech, Lee Sang Min bowed his head and said, "I wish Seo Jang-hoon and Jee Seokjin hyung and I could have received this together. I'm sorry," and added, "I could never have imagined in my dreams winning such a big award in the presence of people who have been broadcasting for 20 to 30 years," which again brought Jee Seokjin to mind.
Jee Seokjin's daesang, wanted by everyone but out of reach. In particular, his candid remark that "it would look too bad if I don't get it" made viewers' hearts ache even more. After failing again despite being nominated for the first time in three years, attention is focused on whether Jee Seokjin will get another chance and how long that wait will continue.<
[Photo] ' ' 2025 SBS entertainment awards, OSEN DB
[OSEN]