The winners of the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards

The 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards took place on December 29 at MBC's new headquarters in Sangam, Mapo District, Seoul. 

This year, Yoo Jae Suk won his 21st grand prize in his career, making a new history. With this win, he secured his ninth Grand Prize at MBC alone and his 21st overall, an unmatched milestone in Korean broadcasting history.

Accepting the trophy, Yoo Jae Suk joked, “I honestly don’t know how to properly express my gratitude. Earlier, I said my chances were 49 percent—now I’m thinking maybe I should’ve said 51 percent.” He went on to thank his family first, saying, “I’m grateful to my parents, and especially to my wife, Na Kyung Eun, who is always someone I’m thankful for.”

He also made sure to acknowledge the cast of 'Hangout With Yoo.' He shared, “Of course, thank you to HaHa and Joo Woo Jae, who are with me now, but I also want to sincerely thank Park Jin Joo, Lee Mi Joo, and Lee Yi Kyung, who left the show this year. You all worked incredibly hard,” he said.

Praising the production team, Yoo added, “Since 'Hangout With Yoo' changes its concept every week, unpredictable situations often arise. Thanks to the staff who are working tirelessly—even now, editing episodes just three days before broadcast—the show is able to air smoothly every week.”

He continued with a more reflective note: “Whenever I receive a big award, I feel honored and grateful, but it also comes with a sense of responsibility. So many people work hard behind the cameras, yet year-end award ceremonies are often the only time I get to look each of them in the eye and say thank you. The staff are all someone’s precious sons and daughters. Because of your dedication and effort, I’ve been able to stand here more than 20 times.” 

Yoo also expressed his determination to continue as the nation’s beloved MC. “No one knows what the future holds. My first Grand Prize was in 2005. I don’t know if I’ll ever reach 30, but I’ll keep doing my best until the very end,” he said.

He closed with well-wishes for the coming year: “I hope we say a ‘good goodbye,’ just like in Hwasa’s song, to everything difficult in 2025, and welcome 2026 with good memories. I wish you all a happy New Year. You can’t be happy all the time, but I hope you have a safe year filled with smiles.”

The award for Entertainment Program of the Year went to 'The Wonder Coach,' which dominated the night with six wins, including Program of the Year, Entertainer of the Year (Kim Yeon Kyung), Rookie Award (Kim Yeon Kyung), Best Couple Award, Hot Issue Award, and Best Teamwork Award.

Producer Kwon Rak Hee said, “Our program isn’t about people who are used to winning or who are already famous—it’s about underdogs who are familiar with defeat.” He added, “Two players from the show joined professional teams this season. Today’s awards feel like another miracle for the underdogs,” crediting both the athletes and the staff.

Addressing Kim Yeon Kyung directly, Kwon remarked with a laugh, “Despite my limited experience as a director, she respected me in that role. We even went through two months of intensive training camp—I sometimes wondered if it was okay to push a legend this hard. She complained here and there, but she did everything, and that’s how this program came to life. I hope she’ll let herself be ‘fooled’ just a little more in the future.”

He also shared a personal confession: “As a variety show PD, I’ve often felt insecure, thinking I might be too serious for this job. But I believe this program was loved precisely because of that sincerity. If I had avoided my fears, I would never have experienced something this special.”

Kwon concluded with a heartfelt message: “It feels like there are many people who are hurt and struggling these days. You may fail, but I hope 2026 is a year where you think more highly of yourself and relentlessly pursue your goals. I dedicate this award to today’s underdogs who are moving toward tomorrow’s wonder.”

The Achievement Award was posthumously dedicated to the late Jeon Yoo Sung, widely known as Korea’s first comedian, who passed away on September 25 at the age of 76.

Comedian Kim Shin Young, a former student of the late entertainer, accepted the award on his behalf. Holding back tears, she said, “It’s been 23 years since we met as teacher and student. I wish he could have received this himself, but it seems he’s troubling his student one more time.”

She continued, “He always told me, ‘If you want to make people laugh, you have to laugh first. I hope you truly enjoy yourself.’ I promise to enjoy myself first and, in turn, bring joy to even more viewers—as Jeon Yoo Sung’s student, Kim Shin Young.”

Kim also conveyed the family’s message, saying, “His daughter, Jeon Jae Bi, who is watching the broadcast from Jirisan, asked me to pass along her gratitude for honoring him with such respect.”

She concluded, “January 28 is his birthday. I’ll visit him that day and dedicate this award to him. It’s an honor to accept it on his behalf. I hope everyone welcomes a joyful 2026,” before lifting the trophy and adding, “Teacher, congratulations.”

The 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards celebrated the year’s variety, educational, and radio programs. Throughout 2025, MBC aired popular staples such as 'I Live Alone,' 'Hangout with Yoo,' 'Omniscient Interfering View,' 'Radio Star,' 'Half-Star Hotel in Lost Island,' alongside new titles including 'Adventure by Accident 4,' 'Good Day,' 'The Wonder Coach,' 'Rural Village Lee Jang Woo 2,' and 'Extreme 84.'

2025 MBC Entertainment Awards – Winners List

- Grand Prize: Yoo Jae Suk (Hangout With Yoo)

- Entertainer of the Year: Jun Hyun Moo, Kian84, Jang Do Yeon, Yoo Jae Suk, Kim Yeon Kyung

- Entertainment Program of the Year: The Wonder Coach

- Special Award: King of Mask Singer

- Achievement Award: The late Jeon Yoo Sung

- Top Excellence Award: Kim Sook (Where Is My Home!), Yoo Se Yoon (Radio Star)

- Excellence Award: Shin Bong Sun (King of Mask Singer), Koo Sung Hwan (I Live Alone), Dex (Adventure by Accident 4)

- Rookie Award: Kim Yeon Kyung (The Wonder Coach), Choi Hong Man (Omniscient Interfering View)

- Multiplayer Award: Minho (I Live Alone)

- Best Entertainer Award: Ok Ja Yeon (I Live Alone), Lee Si Eon (Adventure by Accident 4)

- Best Couple Award: Kim Yeon Kyung and In Kushi (The Wonder Coach)

- Hot Issue Award: Boo Seung Kwan (The Wonder Coach)

- Best Teamwork Award: The Wonder Coach

- Popularity Award: Tzuyang (Omniscient Interfering View), Park Ji Hyun (I Live Alone)

- Producers’ Special Award: Lee Yoon Seok (King of Mask Singer)

- Producers’ MC Award: Boom (Half-Star Hotel in Lost Island)

- Writer of the Year: Noh Min Sun (Hangout With Yoo)

- Radio Excellence Award: Tei (Good Morning FM)

- Radio Merit Award: Kim Il Jung (Women’s Era), Lee Sang Soon (A Perfect Day)

- Radio Rookie Award: Eric of The Boyz (Idol Radio)

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