Yoo Jae-suk Reflects on Current Turmoil at the 2nd Pingkaego Awards

On December 22, the 2nd Pingkaego Awards was streamed on the YouTube channel 'Tteun Tteun', drawing attention when host Yoo Jae-suk made poignant remarks seemingly referencing the recent state of emergency declared by President Yoon Suk-yeol. The ceremony honored various talents, with actor Hwang Jung-min taking home the Grand Prize, while Lee Dong-wook won Best Work, and Lee Dong-hwi received the Excellence Award. Other winners included Lee Sang-yi for Best Newcomer and popular awards going to Hong Jin-kyung, Ji Seok-jin, SHINee's Key, and Kim Go-eun.

As the event concluded, Yoo expressed his feelings about the current distressing situation, stating, "The current circumstances are frustrating, and we cannot see even a step ahead." However, he also conveyed a hopeful message, believing that the fog would lift with the new year, restoring peace to daily life.

The backdrop of his comments was the chaotic atmosphere following the emergency declaration, which had delayed the release of the spin-off 'Pung Hyang Go' from the original 'Pingkaego' series by a week. The entertainment industry has been significantly affected, with many broadcasts canceled or postponed, shifting public focus away from cultural arts to political matters, causing tension within the industry.

Yoo Jae-suk's own show, MBC's 'How Do You Play?' faced two consecutive weeks of cancellation due to the situation. He took the opportunity to comfort his fellow entertainers present at the awards, acknowledging their shared challenges.

Despite the somber context, Yoo emphasized the event as a "year-end party for us," expressing deep gratitude to his colleagues for attending. This sentiment resonated with attendees, who responded with warm wishes for the new year.

Yoo's presence at the awards was as impactful as any winner, leading the production team of 'Tteun Tteun' to present him with a special trophy, even though no formal awards were given. The trophy's inscription recognized him as a key figure in generating new content through innovative ideas. The team also wished him luck and laughter, highlighting their sincere appreciation. As the nation awaits the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment motion against the president, there is hope that the foggy situation will clear, echoing Yoo's optimistic outlook at the Pingkaego Awards.