After some broadcasters used toy bouquets instead of fresh flowers as congratulatory bouquets at year-end award ceremonies last year, the Korea Florist Association pushed back.
On the 9th, the Korea Florist Association, a nationwide group of florists, issued a statement saying, "The use of toy bouquets dealt another blow to flower growers and florist workers struggling with an economic downturn and weak consumption."
It added, "There is concern that fresh flower bouquets could be perceived as inefficient and full of drawbacks."
The Korea Florist Association said, "In the domestic floriculture industry, more than 20,000 small-business florists and numerous flower farms are engaged, so fresh flower consumption is directly tied to their livelihoods," and argued, "The government is also providing policy support to promote flower consumption and spread a culture of everyday flowers, so the use of toy flowers in a broadcast program with strong public influence could throw cold water on these policy efforts."
The association plans to deliver this position to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the ministry in charge of the floriculture industry.
Meanwhile, at the "2025 MBC Entertainment Awards" held on Dec. 29 last year at the MBC Media Center Public Hall in Sangam-dong, Seoul, LEGO bouquets were presented to all winners, including grand prize winner Yu Jae-seok. Attendee tables and the host's desk were decorated with the LEGO Botanical series.