Zico and Karina Compete for Rookie Award at 2024 KBS Entertainment Awards

The 2024 KBS Entertainment Awards will be broadcast live on KBS2 starting at 9:20 PM on December 21. This year's ceremony will be hosted by singer and actor Lee Joon, multi-entertainer Lee Chan-won, and rapper Lee Young-ji, celebrating the entertainers who have brightened KBS's variety shows throughout the year.

A notable highlight of the event is the 'Generational Integration Awards,' which aims to unite entertainers across genders, ages, and generations. The show will feature a blend of legendary programs like 1 Night 2 Days (1박 2일), which has represented South Korea for 17 years, alongside new web variety shows such as Nopo Gi (노포기) and Limousine Service (리무진 서비스). The stage will also welcome a diverse range of guests, including 71-year-old Park Young-kyu, who gained attention for joining the cast of Living Together (살림하는 남자들 시즌2) after appearing on The Return of Superman (슈퍼맨이 돌아왔다) with his 37-month-old grandson.

The Rookie of the Year category is generating significant buzz, particularly in the Show-Variety section, where nominees include Na Hyun-young from Gag Concert (개그콘서트), Zico from The Seasons (더 시즌즈), Moon Sang-min from Music Bank (뮤직뱅크), and Karina from Synchro Unit (싱크로유). Zico, who has become the fifth MC of The Seasons, and Karina, known for her high success rate in the Synchro Unit's mystery-solving segments, are both strong contenders for the award.

Another point of interest is the Viewer’s Choice Award for Best Program, which is highly coveted among all variety shows. This award holds special significance as it is determined by viewer votes. Notable past winners include Immortal Songs (불후의 명곡), which won in 2022 and 2023, and 1 Night 2 Days Season 4 (1박 2일 시즌4), which won in 2020 and 2021. The competition is heating up with rising contenders like Synchro Unit and Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears (사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀) also in the mix.

The Grand Prize nominees promise a fierce battle between established favorites and emerging talents. Notable nominees include Yoo Jae-suk, returning to KBS with Synchro Unit after three years, Jeon Hyun-moo, who hosts Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears and will cover women's weightlifting at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kim Jong-min, a staple of KBS's Sundays with 1 Night 2 Days Season 4, and Lee Chan-won, who has rapidly become known as 'KBS's Son' for his numerous appearances this year.

The 2024 KBS Entertainment Awards, featuring the Grand Prize, Viewer’s Choice Award, and Rookie of the Year, will be live-streamed on December 21 at 9:20 PM.