MBC Entertainment Awards: 'Palm Oil Siblings' Fate Diverges; Jeon Hyun-moo Eyes Grand Prize and Couple Award

The fates of the 'Palm Oil Siblings,' a well-known trio in the Korean entertainment scene, have dramatically diverged as the year-end awards season approaches.

Park Na-rae has regretfully stepped down from 'Home Alone' ('Na Hon-ja Sanda') due to controversies surrounding her manager's alleged misconduct. In contrast, her fellow cast member, Jeon Hyun-moo, has been nominated for Best Couple at the '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' alongside Kook Sung-hwan and is considered a strong contender for the Grand Prize.

Meanwhile, Lee Jang-woo, another member of the 'Palm Oil' trio, recently celebrated a personal happy ending with his marriage to long-time girlfriend, Cho Hye-won.

The '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards,' celebrating the brightest stars of MBC's variety shows, will be broadcast live on Monday, December 29th, at 8:50 PM. With the Best Couple award decided by viewer votes, anticipation is high for who will take home the honor.

Jeon Hyun-moo and Kook Sung-hwan from 'Home Alone' emerged as strong candidates after hosting a memorable 'Rainbow Club Reunion Sports Day,' bringing unity and immense fun to the show's members. Their 100m dash rematch, where Kook Sung-hwan was once again defeated by the swift Jeon Hyun-moo, had viewers roaring with laughter.

Joo Woo-jae and Haha from 'What Do You Play?' ('Nol-meo Mwo-hani?') garnered significant affection for their bickering yet brotherly chemistry. Their clashes during the '10,000 Won Happiness' challenge and their heartfelt conversations during the 'Bro, What Do You Play?' ('Haengnim Mwo-hani?') holiday special provided both laughter and warmth.

In 'Director Kim Yeon-koung,' the dynamic between director Kim Yeon-koung and player In-kuchi captivated audiences. Kim's charismatic leadership, unafraid to offer stern advice to her players, contrasted with In-kuchi's consistent and earnest "Yes!" responses, earning him the nickname 'Yep-kuchi' and highlighting their growth as director and player.

Tzuyang and manager Oh Soo-bin from 'Omniscient Interfering View' ('Jeonjijeok Chamgyeon Sijeom') became the talk of the town with their spectacular mukbang (eating show) segments. Their incredible feat of eating various ramyeon during a kimchi-making episode, followed by a lavish feast of bossam, oysters, giant canned ham, and sweet potatoes, enthralled viewers.

Ki-an84, Dex, Pani Bottle, and Lee Si-eon from 'I Live Alone' ('Tae-eo-nan Gim-e World Trip 4') formed strong bonds during their Nepal journey, delivering both entertainment and touching moments. Their genuine affection for each other, especially Dex's thoughtful preparations before his early departure and the members' heartfelt goodbyes, left a lasting impression.

Lastly, Boom and Yang Se-hyung showcased fantastic teamwork and wit while running a remote island restaurant in 'Where Is My Rest?' ('Puk Swimyeon Da-haeng-i-ya'). Their formation of 'Uh-heung Five' and their unflagging spirits, even amidst heavy rain, created unique memories.

The voting for the Best Couple award, featuring these six strong contenders, is ongoing on the official '2025 MBC Entertainment Awards' website and Naver until midnight on December 26th (Friday). The results will be revealed live during the awards ceremony on December 29th.

Netizens are reacting to the diverging paths of the 'Palm Oil Siblings,' with comments like "It's amazing how Jeon Hyun-moo is aiming for the Grand Prize even after Park Na-rae's departure," "Lee Jang-woo found his personal happiness with marriage," and "All the Best Couple nominees this year are so entertaining, it's hard to choose!"