Comedian Yoo Jae-suk wins entertainment grand prize for 15th time

Comedian Yoo Jae-suk shows off his trophies after receiving the grand prize at the MBC Entertainment Awards held at the MBC Public Hall, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of MBC

By Dong Sun-hwa

Comedian Yoo Jae-suk has won an entertainment award grand prize for the 15th time.

Yoo, 48, took the honor at this year's MBC Entertainment Awards, Tuesday, for his performance on the channel's reality show “Hangout with Yoo.” He was competing against several comedians and TV personalities including Park Na-rae and Jun Hyun-moo.

Yoo previously won the biggest prize at the country's three largest broadcasters ― KBS in 2005 and 2014, SBS in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019, and at MBC in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2016.

“I didn't know that I would receive another grand prize after 'Infinite Challenge' (2005-18) ended,” Yoo said as he accepted the award at the MBC Public Hall in Mapo-gu, western Seoul.

“Infinite Challenge” was MBC's flagship entertainment program that set its highest viewership rating ― 28.9 percent ― in 2008.

“Whenever I feature in a show, I always try to take responsibility for what it brings, but I have never been confident about the success of any show. This was the same for 'Hangout with Yoo.'”

In July, the show produced popular one-off K-pop trio SSAK3 ― comprising Yoo, singer Lee Hyo-ri and singer-actor Rain. Yoo also managed Refund Sisters ― Lee, Hwasa of girl band MAMAMOO, rapper Jessi and soloist Uhm Jung-hwa. The group debuted in October and had success with the song “Don't Touch Me.”

Yoo shed tears when he mentioned the late comedian Park Ji-sun, who was found dead at her home in Seoul early last month. He said he hopes she can rest in peace and give a laugh to many viewers “in her next life.”

He added MBC does not have a comedy show, but he hoped it would consider one for the many comedians who need a stage to shine.

Yoo made his television debut in 1991 on KBS's “Comedian Festival.” He has appeared in numerous hit shows including SBS's “Running Man” and TvN's “You Quiz on the Block.”