On January 29, 2025, the 2024 SBS Entertainment Awards took center stage at the SBS Prism Tower, marking the first time the ceremony was held on Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year.
The highly anticipated event, hosted by Jeon Hyun-moo, Jang Do-yeon, and Lee Hyun-yi, included powerful moments as it honored various SBS entertainers for their contributions throughout the year. The event's timing echoed with solemnity, as it occurred after the Jeju Air crash, prompting SBS to delay the originally scheduled broadcast from December 31, 2024.
One of the standout moments of the night revolved around Lee Hyun-yi, who stood as the only female nominee for the grand prize. If she were to win, she would make history as the first married woman to claim this prestigious award. During the VCR segment, Lee Hyun-yi pointedly asked comedian Lee Kyung-kyu, "Do only unmarried women receive the main award?" This humorous inquiry led to playful banter about her husband's reaction, with Lee Hyun-yi seeking his opinion on her potential career shifts should she win.
Her husband, Hong Seong-ki, who works as a semiconductor development engineer, amusingly responded, “I can’t quit my job for your award, but I might be able to take parental leave!” This exchange highlighted the couple's lighthearted intimacy amid the serious atmosphere of the awards night.
Lee Hyun-yi’s accolades continued as she received the SBS Eldest Daughter Award for the third year running. Expressing her surprise, she remarked, "I genuinely didn’t expect to win again. It's genuinely astonishing to be recognized this way!" Notably, her consistency has made her one of the most adored figures on SBS programming.
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-min, awarded the SBS Son Award, expressed gratitude for his recognition by saying, "This is the biggest award for me; it brings me immense joy to be acknowledged by SBS after all these years." His candid remarks and acknowledgment of the weight of the award underscored the esteem held for the ceremony and its impact on the careers of those highlighted.
Despite the challenging circumstances surrounding the timing of the awards and the heartfelt homage to those affected by the Jeju Air tragedy, the evening flowed with celebratory spirit as winners such as Lee Hyun-yi and Lee Sang-min shared their achievements and loved ones were there to support them.
The event concluded without losing sight of respect and recognition. It left attendees and viewers alike with the hope of continuing to celebrate excellence within the entertainment community, even as they dealt with recent sorrow. Overall, the night embraced both the joys of achievement and the weight of recent events, showcasing the resilience of the industry.