Comedian Byun Ki-soo Critiques KBS Entertainment Awards Amidst Controversy

On December 21, comedian Byun Ki-soo took to his personal social media to express his frustration regarding the KBS Entertainment Awards, questioning, "Can’t we at least give one award to a comedian?" His post included a photo from the 2024 KBS Entertainment Awards, showcasing singer Zico and girl group aespa's Karina receiving the New Artist Award in the Show Variety category.

The revival of KBS 2TV's flagship comedy show, Gag Concert (개그콘서트), occurred in November last year. However, this year’s KBS Entertainment Awards did not feature any comedians among the new award recipients, prompting Byun Ki-soo, a senior member of Gag Concert, to voice his concerns.

On the same night, the Grand Prize was awarded to singer Lee Chan-won, who has made a significant impact across various entertainment programs such as Immortal Songs, High-End Salt Bae, Celebrity Soldier's Secret, and New Menu Launch Restaurant. Lee Chan-won had a remarkable year, earning the title of "KBS's Son" and ultimately winning the Grand Prize.

In his acceptance speech, Lee reflected on his journey, stating, "I stepped into KBS through the program National Singing Contest in 2008 and debuted in 2020, participating in many KBS programs. Recently, I’ve heard comments like, 'Why are singers trying to be entertainers instead of focusing on singing?' But I have loved broadcasting and entertainment since I was young. I don’t think I can ever give up my path as an entertainer."

The contrasting sentiments expressed by Byun Ki-soo and Lee Chan-won at the KBS Entertainment Awards have sparked a debate among viewers. While there is general agreement on Lee's deserving of the Grand Prize, Byun's pointed remarks have drawn attention and led to discussions about the treatment of comedians in the industry.

Supporters of Byun Ki-soo's perspective lament the lack of recognition for comedians, who seem to be sidelined in an awards ceremony that often favors a 'give and take' image. Notably, new members Lee Joon and Jo Se-ho from 1 Night 2 Days were recognized with awards despite their recent addition to the show, raising concerns about the treatment of veteran comedians from Gag Concert.

However, some critics argue that there has been a lack of standout performances from new comedians on Gag Concert, which may have contributed to their absence from the awards. The ongoing debate about the status of comedians at the KBS Entertainment Awards highlights the complexities of recognition in the entertainment industry.