Lee Yi-kyung Expresses Respect for Entertainers at MBC Entertainment Awards

During the live broadcast of the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards (MBC 연예대상) on January 28, actor Lee Yi-kyung shared his admiration for entertainers. The event was hosted by Jeon Hyun-moo, Lee Jang-woo, and Yoon Eun-hye, a member of Baby Vox and actress.

Lee Yi-kyung won the Male Excellence Award for his work on the show 'How Do You Play?' (놀면 뭐하니?). Known for his versatility in acting, variety shows, and singing, he humorously introduced himself by saying, "I am the Lee Yi-kyung whose acceptance speech often becomes more talked about than the award itself." He added, "I don’t mention specific people I’m grateful to; I can contact them separately."

He reflected on his childhood dream of becoming a comedian, recalling that his mother discarded that aspiration. He noted, "Now, I’m involved in various genres, including the film 'Hitman 2,' which is currently showing. It takes about three to four years from pre-production to completion. Creating a 120-minute film or a drama is similar. However, I am still amazed that Korean variety shows produce over an hour of content every week. I’ve visited editing rooms where the staff often can’t go home and work tirelessly. I’m always impressed by the dedication of people like PD Na Young-seok and PD Kim Tae-ho."

Lee Yi-kyung also expressed his uncertainty about what will be filmed for 'How Do You Play?' next, mentioning that sometimes footage is completely edited out. He urged viewers to appreciate the hard work behind Korean entertainment, saying, "I hope the audience can watch with a bit more patience and understanding."

His heartfelt remarks were lightened by the humorous expressions of fellow cast members Joo Woo-jae and Park Jin-joo, prompting Lee to call out to his 'How Do You Play?' colleagues with a smile.

In closing, he shared a personal note about his mother, who recently underwent surgery, saying, "She tells me she’s doing well, but she cries when talking to my sister." He invited viewers to tune in on Thursday at 8:20 PM for a candid discussion with Ha Ha and Joo Woo-jae on 'What Are You Doing, Brother?' (행님 뭐하니?). He concluded with a powerful statement, promising to showcase more from 'How Do You Play?' this year and expressing his gratitude.

The MBC Entertainment Awards, which began as a comedy award, celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Originally scheduled for December 29, the event was postponed due to a tragic accident involving a Jeju Air flight on the day of the ceremony. After a national mourning period, the production team decided to hold the live broadcast on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday.