The comments that comedian Byun Ki Soo made with regard to the 2024 KBS Entertainment Awards have sparked a passionate debate among netizens, as he has become the embodiment of issues raised about how entertainers’ awards, at least in the case of comedians.
According to Xports News, Byun posted a clip from the awards ceremony on December 21 on his personal channel and lamented that it seems comedians are not honored.
He wrote, “Can’t they at least give it to ONE comedian? A stuffy awards show that only cares about singers.”
The shot of singer Zico and Karina of girl group Aespa collecting their Rookie of the Year award fed Byun’s criticism even more. Singer Lee Chan-won, who nabbed the top prize, emceed the awards ceremony with entertainers Lee Young-ji and Lee Joon.
The list of recipients included a few non-entertainers this year, such as Koyote’s Kim Jong-min and actor Park Young-gyu. After making the comments, Byun received mixed reactions online, with some users supporting his perspective.
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Supporters claimed that the awards have become increasingly favorable to singers and that comedians are being sidelined.
That sentiment was echoed in comments such as: “This is why it feels like there’s less and less space for comedians,” as well as “It seems like the awards show is mindful of the fandom of the singers.”
On the flip side, some said sharper comedians should adjust their acts if they want to stay competitive in a brutal entertainment landscape.
In response, critics weighed in with comments like, “Comedians just need to do better” and “Should they not reflect, first?” implying that singers are more active in the industry than their comedic counterparts.
Even further, there was also controversy regarding whether or not non-entertainers should have received awards.
Lee Chan Won responded to the backlash through his own channel, saying:
“I received an award that is ridiculous and excessive. I will never rest on my laurels and will work harder.”
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