Yoo Jae Suk Attacked By President Park Supporters Over Acceptance Speech
TV personality Yoo Jae Suk is attacked by President Park Geun Hye's supporters and branded as a leftist following his acceptance speech at the 2016 MBC Entertainment Awards.
The 44-year-old TV host, who earned the moniker "Nation's MC" for starring across South Korea's three biggest broadcast networks, took home Thursday night his 13th Grand Prize in his career and stirred the public with his speech.
The comedian was all serious when he connected his work at MBC's popular variety show "Infinity Challenge" and the country in general.
"...I feel and learn many things through 'Infinity Challenge,'" said Yoo Jae Suk. "Especially as I learn about Korean history, I realized that when a nation goes through a difficult time, it is the people who rescue the country, that it's the people who are the true owners of a nation..."
He added as a New Year's wish for his countrymen, "These days, people use the expression, 'to walk on a flower path' a lot. I wish for the new year to be a year where all of Korea's citizens can walk on the flower path, not just a few people."
While many in the audience were touched and inspired by Yoo Jae Suk's speech, those supporting the controversial President Park were moved to boycott the host and his shows.
Yoo Jae Suk's critics, the Park Sa Mo fan club, took to social media and expressed disappointment at his speech. They branded him as well as his "Infinity Challenge" co-stars as siding on the "left" or politically opposed to President Park.
"I think we should boycott what he endorses," allkpop quoted one as saying.
President Park has been suspended since December when the National Assembly voted to impeach her on accounts of corruption allegations.
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo Ahn has since assumed the role as Acting President.
Another MBC Daesang awardee, actor Lee Jong Suk, was criticized by netizens for having won the 2016 MBC Drama Awards' Grand Prize and for his short acceptance speech.
The 27-year-old actor of the MBC drama "W" also took home the Top Excellence Actor award and Best Couple Award with his co-star Han Hyoo Joo. The drama was Friday night's biggest winner with a total of seven awards.