Yoo Jae-suk Crowned Top Entertainer for 13th Consecutive Year

On December 18, 2024, it was announced that renowned broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk has secured the title of the most outstanding entertainer for the year for the 13th consecutive time. According to a survey conducted by Korean Gallup from November 11 to 25, which included 1,741 participants aged 13 and older across South Korea (excluding Jeju), Yoo Jae-suk received 48.3% of the votes, reaffirming his status as the leading figure in the entertainment industry.

Yoo Jae-suk is a household name, known for his long-running shows such as Happy Together (해피투게더), Infinite Challenge (무한도전), and Running Man (런닝맨). He made his debut in non-terrestrial broadcasting in 2015 with the show Two Yoo Project - Sugarman (투유 프로젝트-슈가맨) and expanded into global OTT platforms in 2022. His presence is undeniable, as three of his shows—You Quiz on the Block (유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭), How Do You Play? (놀면 뭐하니?), and Running Man—have simultaneously ranked in the top 10 of the 'Most Liked TV Programs' survey conducted monthly by Korean Gallup.

Since 2018, the 'Person of the Year' survey has included the category for entertainers and comedians. Yoo Jae-suk has consistently ranked first since 2012, with a brief dip to second place in 2010 and 2011. The gap in preference between him and the second-place contender has been significant, with differences of 6 percentage points in 2018, 20 points in 2019, and consistently over 30 points since 2020.

The second place went to Jeon Hyun-moo (전현무) with 12.4%. A former YTN anchor and KBS announcer, Jeon has showcased his comedic talent across various programs since transitioning to freelance in 2012. He made history in 2017 by becoming the first announcer to win the Grand Prize at the MBC Entertainment Awards. Currently, he appears on shows like I Live Alone (나 혼자 산다), The Manager (전지적 참견 시점), and My Boss's Ears are Donkey Ears (사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀), and he launched his own show, The Jeon Hyun-moo Project (전현무계획), this year. He first entered the top 10 in 2018 and has climbed to second place in 2024.

Shin Dong-yup (신동엽), known as a powerhouse in indoor entertainment, ranked third with 12.1%. He hosts several long-running shows, including TV Animal Farm (TV동물농장), My Ugly Duckling (미운 우리 새끼), Immortal Songs (불후의 명곡), and Real Investigation (실화탐사대). He has also maintained a steady presence in comedy through SNL Korea.

Fourth place went to Kang Ho-dong (강호동) with 10.8%. He was a dominant figure alongside Yoo Jae-suk until 2010 and even surpassed him for the top spot that year. After a brief retirement in 2011, he returned in 2012 and has remained in the top five for 12 consecutive years. His recent projects include Don’t Worry, I’m Here (돈쭐, 맛짱뜨러 왔습니다) and Knowing Bros (아는 형님).

Park Na-rae (박나래), the only woman in the top 10, secured fifth place with 8.9%, marking her ninth consecutive year in the top five. Former basketball player Seo Jang-hoon (서장훈) came in sixth with 5.6%, while Jo Se-ho (조세호), who made headlines for his upcoming wedding, ranked seventh with 5.1%. Lee Soo-geun (이수근), known for his work on Gag Concert (개그콘서트), took eighth place with 4.9%. Takk Jae-hoon (탁재훈) and Kian84 (기안84), who transitioned from webtoon artist to painter and broadcaster, shared ninth place with 3.7% each.

Among the top 10, eight names remained unchanged from last year, with Seo Jang-hoon and Jo Se-ho making their return after two and three years, respectively. The entertainment industry tends to see less fluctuation in its top ranks compared to other fields, likely due to the importance of chemistry among cast members in variety shows, making it challenging for newcomers to break through.

Other notable figures receiving over 1.0% of the votes included Jang Do-yeon (장도연) at 3.3%, Lee Young-ja (이영자) at 3.1%, Kim Jun-ho (김준호) at 2.5%, Kim Gu-ra (김구라) at 2.4%, Kim Dae-ho (김대호) at 2.2%, Kim Jong-min and Lee Sang-min (both at 1.6%), Lee Kyung-kyu (이경규) at 1.5%, Lee Soo-ji (이수지) at 1.3%, Kim Sung-joo (김성주) at 1.1%, and Boom (붐) at 1.0%.