When beloved South Korean television host Yoo Jae Suk accepted his record 21st career Grand Prize at the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards on December 29, the celebration triggered an unexpected national debate. Instead of the customary arrangement of fresh blooms, the influential broadcaster presented winners with colorful bouquets constructed entirely of LEGO bricks—a move intended as an eco-conscious gesture that has since drawn sharp condemnation from the nation’s floriculture sector, escalating tensions around the industry’s precarious future.
Industry Alleges Economic Harm
The Korea Florists Association wasted no time in publicly criticizing the decision, issuing a January 10 statement arguing that substituting real flowers with plastic alternatives poses a significant threat to consumer perception. The association contends that such high-profile decisions risk portraying natural, perishable flowers as wasteful or inefficient, potentially eroding crucial public support for an already troubled agricultural segment.
The outcry stems from deep-rooted challenges facing South Korean flower growers. Statistics confirm a significant decline in farm operations, with only about 7,100 floriculture farms operating as of 2023, down nearly 50 percent from 13,500 establishments two decades prior. The association stressed that the livelihoods of over 20,000 small flower shop owners and countless farmers rely directly on sustained domestic consumption.
“The introduction of toy flower bouquets inflicts yet another wound on florists and flower farmers already struggling with economic slowdowns and reduced consumer spending,” the association stated, emphasizing that the action runs counter to government policy actively promoting everyday floral culture to aid industry recovery.
High-Visibility Shift Sets Worrisome Precedent
The controversy gained gravity due to its setting: MBC is among South Korea’s leading broadcasters, and the year-end awards show attracts massive national viewership. The symbolic shift—the first time a major Korean network has universally replaced fresh flowers with plastic toys for an awards ceremony—is precisely what the floristry industry fears will set a dangerous precedent for other events and organizations.
The timing is particularly difficult for growers. Between 2000 and 2020, South Korea saw a 46 percent reduction in the number of growers, battling the public perception of flowers as a luxury item rather than a necessary everyday purchase. This reluctance is exacerbated by recent economic downturns that have tightened household budgets.
The Nuances of Plastic Sustainability
MBC’s motivation appears rooted in environmental stewardship, aiming to eliminate the waste associated with wilting fresh flowers. However, the sustainability argument proved complex. While LEGO utilizes some plant-based plastics—bio-polyethylene derived from sugarcane—for flexible elements, critics note that these materials are not biodegradable and still contribute to the cumulative problem of microplastic pollution.
Counterbalancing this, fresh flowers offer verifiable environmental benefits. They are biodegradable, support local agricultural ecosystems, and their cultivation actively captures carbon dioxide. Domestic flower production also bolsters rural economies, aligning with broader governmental sustainability and food security initiatives. The enduring nature of the celebrated LEGO bricks—a lifespan potentially exceeding a thousand years—ultimately contrasts with the regenerative cycle of natural blooms.
Divided Public Opinion and Policy Conflict
The unexpected controversy has left South Korean policymakers in a difficult position. The government has aggressively championed initiatives, such as the “Flower Road” program, to boost tourism and support the domestic sector amid increasing competition from imports, which now account for approximately 30 percent of consumed flowers. Floristry advocates worry that influential cultural moments, like the highly visible MBC awards, actively undermine these substantial policy efforts aimed at fostering a robust national floriculture economy.
While some social media users applauded the LEGO bouquets as clever, reusable keepsakes, the industry’s response has highlighted the real-world economic ripple effects felt by thousands of small business owners and farmers.
The Korea Florists Association has urged broadcasters and event organizers to consider the broader systemic impact of their decisions. Industry observers suggest compromises, such as utilizing locally grown, seasonal potted plants that recipients can keep alive, or implementing robust post-event composting programs for traditional arrangements.
For now, the plastic awards demonstrate a clear conflict between perceived modern innovation and the preservation of traditional agricultural enterprises, underscoring the tough choices facing South Korean culture as it navigates economic shifts and environmental goals.