Yoo Jae-suk made history at the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards, securing his ninth Grand Prize from the network. The ceremony, held at the MBC Media Centre in Seoul, crowned a year of programming where the breakout sports variety show “The Wonder Coach” emerged as the biggest winner, taking home five trophies.
The event proceeded on December 29 as scheduled, broadcast live nationwide on MBC TV and its official YouTube channel for international viewers. Despite navigating a series of industry controversies that led to last-minute changes in hosting and participant lineups, the awards successfully celebrated the year’s achievements in variety, entertainment, and radio.
The Complete Winners List
The 2025 ceremony honored a wide range of talent, from legendary comedians to rookie stars. Below is the official list of winners announced during the broadcast:
- Grand Prize (Daesang): Yoo Jae-suk (Hangout with Yoo)
- Entertainment Program of the Year: The Wonder Coach
- Entertainer of the Year Award: Jeon Hyun-moo, Kian84, Jang Do-yeon, Yoo Jae-suk, Kim Yeon-koung
- Achievement Award: The late Jeon Yu-seong (accepted by Kim Shin-young)
- 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)
- Best Entertainer Award: Ok Ja-yeon (I Live Alone), Lee Si-eon (Adventure by Accident 4)
- Rookie of the Year: Kim Yeon-koung (The Wonder Coach), Choi Hong-man (Omniscient Interfering View)
- Multi-Player Award: Choi Minho (I Live Alone)
- Popularity Award: Tzuyang (Omniscient Interfering View), Park Ji-hyun (I Live Alone)
- Best Teamwork Award: The Wonder Coach
- Best Couple Award: Kim Yeon-koung & Inkushi (The Wonder Coach)
- Hot Issue Award: Boo Seung-kwan (The Wonder Coach)
- Producer’s Special Award: Lee Yoon-seok (King of Mask Singer)
- Producer MC Award: Boom (Half-Star Hotel in Lost Island)
- Writer of the Year: Noh Min-seon (Hangout with Yoo)
- Radio Top Excellence Award: Tei (Good Morning FM)
- Radio Excellence Award: Kim Il-joong (Women’s Era), Lee Sang-soon (A Perfect Day)
- Radio Rookie of the Year: Eric Mun (Idol Radio)
A Historic Night for Yoo Jae-suk
Yoo Jae-suk’s victory marks his ninth Grand Prize win at MBC alone, solidifying his status as the “Nation’s MC.” This award adds to his staggering career total, which now stands at 21 major network Grand Prizes overall. Earlier in the evening, after receiving an Entertainer of the Year award, he playfully estimated his chances of winning the top honor at “about 49%”.
In his emotional acceptance speech, Yoo Jae-suk expressed deep gratitude to his “Hangout with Yoo” co-stars and production team. He specifically thanked current members Haha and Joo Woo-jae, as well as former members Park Jin-joo, Lee Mi-joo, and Lee Yi-kyung, who left the show earlier in the year.
“Every time I receive such a big award, I feel both honored and grateful, but it also weighs heavily on me,” Yoo Jae-suk said. “So many people work hard behind the scenes… Thanks to your dedication and effort, I’ve been able to stand here more than 20 times.”
Looking to the future, he set a lighthearted new goal: “My first Grand Prize was in 2005, and I don’t know if I’ll reach 30 trophies, but I’ll do my best until the end.”
“The Wonder Coach” Leads Program Honors
The undisputed star program of the night was “The Wonder Coach,” MBC’s hit show featuring former volleyball legend Kim Yeon-koung training as a rookie director for a professional team. The show swept five major awards: Entertainment Program of the Year, Best Teamwork, Best Couple, Hot Issue, and an Entertainer of the Year award for Kim Yeon-koung herself.
Producer Kwon Rakhui dedicated the Program of the Year award to the show’s theme of perseverance. “Our program isn’t about people who are used to winning or who are famous, but about the stories of ‘underdogs’ who are familiar with defeat,” he said. “Today’s award also feels like a miracle for the underdogs.”
Emotional Tributes and Celebrated Returns
The ceremony included several poignant moments. The Achievement Award was posthumously given to Jeon Yu-seong, recognized as South Korea’s first comedian, who passed away in September. His protege, comedian Kim Shin-young, accepted the award on his behalf, moving the audience as she fought back tears.
“It’s been 23 years since I met my professor,” Kim Shin-young said. “I wish he could have received this award himself, but he’s making his student do one more thing for him… From now on, I will be Kim Shin-young, ‘Jeon Yu-seong’s student,’ who enjoys herself first and brings joy to even more viewers.”
Another heartfelt moment came from broadcaster Lee Yoon-seok, who won the Producer’s Special Award after a decade-long wait. He humorously referenced a comment from the previous year, when host Jeon Hyun-moo noted Lee attended awards without expecting to win.
“I kept coming until they finally gave me one. It took 10 years,” Lee Yoon-seok joked. “Everyone, keep coming until you get one. They eventually give in.”
The awards were hosted by Jeon Hyun-moo, marking his eighth consecutive year in the role, alongside comedian Jang Do-yeon. The event featured special performances by artists including TWS, Lee Juck, and Thai JK.
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