Long before the final D-Day countdown for the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards even started, the year-end celebration of stars contributing to MBC’s variety shows had already been overshadowed by one too many scandals. Set to take place on December 29 at the MBC Media Center public hall in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, the show will be hosted by Jung Hyun Moo and Jang Do Yeon.
Having already joined forces on multiple occasions before, Jung and Jang have previously hosted the 2024 SBS Entertainment Awards and the K World Dream Awards as well. This time, they were originally meant to take the stage as MCs of the MBC Entertainment Awards 2025 alongside SHINee member Key.
However, the K-pop idol’s name was ultimately erased from the star-studded lineup roster after he announced via social media that he would be stepping down from some of his previously scheduled public activities. Key’s SNS confession was triggered following his entanglement in one of the biggest emerging scandals in the K-entertainment world in connection with a so-called “injection auntie.” Read all about it here.
The K-pop icon is not the only K-celebrity to have been dragged into a chaotic development in the past few months. Variety stars Park Na Rae and Lee Yi Kyung becoming the subject of controversial headlines in the recent past has equally shaken up the foundation of the MBC Entertainment Awards.
Here’s everything you should know.
When and where to watch MBC Entertainment Awards 2025?
The 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards will be broadcast live on Monday, December 29, at 8:50 pm KST (5:20 pm IST). Fans may tune in to the MBC network to catch the show. For the first time ever, the live MBC ceremony will also be aired in Japan through KNTV.
Keep an eye on the official MBC Entertainment YouTube channel for related clips of the show and other performances.
2025 MBC Entertainment Awards lineup
With a Wonderland theme, the MBC Entertainment Awards will welcome a lineup including entertainers from all walks of life. Korean musical stars will also take the stage to deliver a memorable performance. The lineup is as follows:
- Beatboxers WING and Hiss
- Dancers Leejung and Baby-joo
- ‘Mamma Mia!’ musical stars Choi Jung Won, Hong Ji Min and Kim Kyung Sun
- and more
2025 MBC Entertainment Awards nominees
Best Couple
- Jun Hyun Moo and Ku Sng Hwan for Home Alone
- Kian84, Dex, Pani Bottle and Lee Si Eon for Adventure By Accident 4
- Kim Yeon Koung and Inkushi for The Wonder Coach
- Joo Woo Jae and HaHa for How Do You Play?
- Boom and Yang Se Hyung for Half-Star Hotel in Lost Island
- Tzuyang and her manager Oh Soo Bin for The Manager
Meanwhile, the nominees for the Best Variety Show will be announced during the live show.
Korean variety scandals explained
Both top Korean stars broadcaster Park Na Rae and SHINee’s Key will remain absent from the ceremony in the wake of being dragged into the controversy surrounding the so-called ‘injection auntie,’ an individual believed to be continuing a medical practice without a license.
Although the Grand Prize nominees weren’t announced beforehand, stars like Park Na Rae and Lee Yi Kyung were expected to be top contenders for the MBC Entertainment Awards daesang.
Due to a personal controversy, Lee Yi Kyung (of Welcome to Waikiki fame) dropped out from the Yoo Jae Suk-led series Hangout with Yoo. Thereafter, Park Na Rae, a top MBC Entertainment star declared that she would be suspending her activities as well amid allegations of mistreatment of her manager and illegal medical procedures, allegedly tied to the ‘injection auntie.’
However, Park wasn’t the only one to withdraw from the variety show I Live Alone. SHINee’s Key followed suit even though he clarified in a public social media statement that he only relied on the treatments of the now-so-called ‘injection aunt’ because he believed her to be a licensed physician.
Other potential daesang contenders are Jun Hyun Moo, Kian84 and Yoo Jae Suk. On his part, Jun Hyun Moo has vehemently denied any connection to the ‘injection auntie’ controversy, while also revealing his medical records to back his firm statement.
Despite the series of controversies clouding the legacy of the award show, the MBC Entertainment Awards are moving forward as schedules. All eyes are on the main ceremony, as fans are curious than ever to find out whether MBC variety stars whose names have been pulled into scandals so far will be name-dropped at all during the ceremony. It also remains to be seen who will end up being the biggest winner of the night.