As soon as the grand prize nominees for the 2025 KBS Entertainment Awards were revealed, the online community started buzzing. Among the strong lineup of entertainers, the inclusion of actor Park Bo Gum’s name took many by surprise.
On the 15th, the official list of seven grand prize nominees was announced: Kim Sook, Kim Young Hee, Kim Jong Min, Park Bo Gum, Boom, Lee Chan Won, and Jun Hyun Moo will compete for the top trophy. With leading figures who have carried KBS entertainment throughout the year gathered, a fierce contest is already anticipated based on the nominee lineup alone.
Kim Sook has been a key figure in KBS entertainment, active across multiple programs including Boss in the Mirror, Problem Child in House, Delivered with Stories, and Pursuing a Longstanding Relationship. Having previously won the grand prize once and the Entertainer of the Year award three times, all eyes are on her for another grand prize challenge.
Kim Young Hee built a widely relatable character across generations with her popular segment from Gag Concert and expanded this into her solo show Malja Show, establishing herself as a fresh entertainment icon.
Kim Jong Min is an iconic presence on 2 Days & 1 Night. Having supported KBS entertainment for 18 years, and already winning one individual grand prize and two team grand prizes, there’s talk he could achieve a record fourth grand prize.
Boom has consistently made his mark with steady hosting and friendly charm on shows like Fun-Staurant and Heart on Wheels.
Jun Hyun Moo also solidified his status as a leading MC through programs like Boss in the Mirror and Krazy Rich Koreans, making him a strong candidate as a four-time consecutive Entertainer of the Year recipient.
Lee Chan Won, last year’s youngest individual grand prize winner, keeps his 2-peat hopes alive this year with multiple programs such as Immortal Songs, Fun-Staurant, and Celebrity Secrets.
Among them, the name drawing the most attention is undoubtedly Park Bo Gum. Through The Seasons – Park Bo Gum’s Cantabile, he became the first actor MC and the longest-running MC in The Seasons history, showcasing calm yet highly knowledgeable hosting with a deep understanding of music. His nearly decade-long connection to KBS music entertainment—as a former Music Bank MC and world tour MC—also helps explain his nomination.
Online reactions, however, are mixed. Some netizens comment, “Among the seven nominees, Park Bo Gum is the only non-comedian, so it feels unfamiliar,” and “Isn’t the Entertainment Awards supposed to be for entertainers?”
Meanwhile, others defend him, saying, “Watching Cantabile, it’s easy to understand his qualifications,” and “Although an actor, his skills as an entertainment MC are clear.”
There’s notable debate over whether the nomination is groundbreaking given that previous grand prize nominees were mostly comedians or broadcasters, with some suggesting Park Bo Gum might be better suited for a special or producer’s award. Conversely, there are also assessments that if you judge based on contribution to entertainment regardless of genre, Park Bo Gum certainly qualifies.
Amid this competitive lineup, Park Bo-gum’s nomination stands out as both a bold move and a hot topic, drawing attention even before the ceremony.
