Controversy over the neglect of Ji Seok-jin resurfaced at the 2025 SBS Entertainment Awards. Viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that Ji Seok-jin did not win the grand prize. The ceremony, held on the afternoon of the 30th at SBS Prism Tower in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, was hosted by Jun Hyun-moo, Cha Tae-hyun, and Lee Su-ji, with the grand prize awarded to Lee Sang-min. Viewer reactions were intense immediately after the broadcast.

This year's grand prize nominees for the SBS Entertainment Awards were Yoo Jae-suk, Jun Hyun-moo, Tak Jae-hoon, Shin Dong-yup, Lee Sang-min, and Ji Seok-jin. These individuals stood out on SBS throughout the year, with Ji Seok-jin and Seo Jang-hoon considered strong contenders. In his acceptance speech, Lee Sang-min said, "Every year it's ambiguous, but this year was the most ambiguous. I feel so sorry that it would have been so great if Seo Jang-hoon and Ji Seok-jin hyungs had all received it together."

However, public opinion did not calm down after the broadcast. While Lee Sang-min's win itself is something to congratulate, viewers are feeling fatigued as a different result was announced despite expectations that Ji Seok-jin would win the grand prize. The controversy over neglecting Ji Seok-jin is not new. At the 2021 awards, Ji Seok-jin was expected to win the grand prize for his work on Running Man but ended up receiving only the "Entertainer of the Year Award" and the "Honorary Employee Award." In 2022, Ji Seok-jin again went home empty-handed, and Yoo Jae-suk created an awkward atmosphere by saying, "I don't know how to apologize."

In 2023 and 2024, Ji Seok-jin was excluded from the nominee list, and last year he was unable to be nominated or attend the ceremony due to poor condition. During this time, rumors about his departure from Running Man also surfaced. However, this year Ji Seok-jin was once again named a grand prize nominee, seen as his last chance. At the ceremony, which lasted until 1 a.m., Ji Seok-jin did not receive any award.

Immediately after the broadcast, "Ji Seok-jin Grand Prize" trended on Twitter's real-time list, with thousands of posts pouring in. The SBS viewer board was flooded with protest messages. One viewer wrote, "That's why I said back then to give Ji Seok-jin the grand prize instead of the employee award. I'm still upset." Another viewer responded, "I can't even guess how much SBS doesn't want to give Ji Seok-jin the grand prize." Posts such as "Seriously, this is not right" and "I express doubts and regrets about the grand prize selection" followed one after another.

In particular, one viewer stated, "The ceremony was conducted and the atmosphere was created as if Ji Seok-jin would receive the grand prize, so most viewers expected, 'Ah, finally Ji Seok-jin will get the award this time.'" They added, "Knowing the contribution he made by running around outside in cold and hot weather for over 15 years to bring great laughter to viewers every week, everyone supported and waited to show gratitude for the big laughs he gave."

Another viewer said, "I understand that the grand prize went to Lee Sang-min at this year's Entertainment Awards, but there are clearly parts that are difficult to accept." They pointed out, "Throughout the ceremony, Ji Seok-jin's close-ups were repeatedly shown, and even a TinyTing wig was put on him, making it seem like he would receive the grand prize." This viewer added, "Creating expectations and then announcing the result without any explanation is enough to cause confusion and frustration among viewers."

The grand prize is meaningful not only to the individual recipient but also to the viewers who have shared the program throughout the year. Along with the result, fairness in the process and production, as well as explanations that viewers can relate to, are important. There is a growing voice urging SBS to take seriously the many viewers' doubts about this year's grand prize selection and production approach.