Lee Young-ja first woman to win grand prize at KBS Entertainment Awards

Comedian Lee Young-ja sheds tears after winning the Grand Prize at the KBS Entertainment Awards at KBS Hall in Seoul, Saturday. Capture from KBS

By Dong Sun-hwa

Comedian Lee Young-ja has become the first woman to win the Grand Prize at the KBS Entertainment Awards.

“I was able to win this award thanks to everyone, who helped me in front of and behind the scenes … I did not win it because I alone did well,” Lee, 50, who made her debut 27 years ago, said Friday. “I would like to thank all the cast and crew of 'Hello Counselor' and those who sent their stories to us.”

The first episode of “Hello Counselor” was aired on Nov. 22, 2010. Since then, the show has maintained its popularity with her wit and interesting stories from ordinary people.

Lee thanked comedian Shin Dong-yup, her co-host, for encouraging her to improve and teaching her about humility.

“I also want to thank my mother, who is sick right now, for being always there for me,” she said.

Shin, Kim Jun-ho and former football player Lee Dong-gook were other contenders for the prize. While Shin and Kim were the stars who already won the biggest honor in 2012 and 2013, respectively, Lee rose to fame recently thanks to the success of the reality show, “The Return on Superman,” on which he revealed his personal life with his wife and children.