Lee Chan-won Wins Grand Prize at KBS Entertainment Awards at Just 28

Lee Chan-won (이찬원), at the young age of 28, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by winning the Grand Prize at the '2024 KBS Entertainment Awards'. This recognition is particularly significant as KBS is the network where he first began his career in the entertainment industry. Despite his success, Lee has faced criticism for his active participation in variety shows, with some questioning why a singer is so involved in broadcasting. In response, he expressed his love for entertainment from a young age and affirmed his commitment to continue his journey as a broadcaster and entertainer.

Although Lee debuted as a singer, many artists today are expanding their careers into various fields. Notably, singers like Kim Jong-kook (김종국) and Kim Jong-min (김종민) also faced skepticism early in their variety careers but have since thrived, winning Grand Prizes at both SBS and KBS Entertainment Awards. Lee Chan-won is following a similar path, having started his singing career early and steadily progressing in the industry.

Reflecting on his journey, Lee recalled borrowing 2 million won from his mother when he first prepared for 'Mr. Trot', expressing his gratitude and remorse for the sacrifices his family made for his career. Now, having overcome challenges, he has become a prominent figure at KBS, participating in numerous programs this year, including 'Immortal Songs' (불후의 명곡), 'High-End Salt Bae' (하이엔드 소금쟁이), and 'Chuseok Special Show: Lee Chan-won's Gift' (추석특집쇼 이찬원의 선물).

During his acceptance speech, Lee was visibly emotional, thanking KBS for nurturing his career since he first appeared on 'National Singing Contest' (전국노래자랑) 16 years ago. He described KBS as a family-like home for him and expressed his determination to continue growing alongside the network, receiving widespread congratulations and support from fans and colleagues alike.