SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — A controversial decision by major South Korean broadcaster Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to replace traditional congratulatory fresh flower bouquets with arrangements constructed from LEGO bricks at its annual entertainment awards ceremony has triggered a sharp condemnation from the nation’s struggling floricultural sector.
When celebrated television personality Yoo Jae Suk accepted his record 21st Grand Prize at the December 29, 2025, MBC Entertainment Awards, the public immediately noticed the colorful, non-traditional plastic flowers clutched in his hands. While MBC likely intended the switch as a creative, eco-conscious gesture, the move has generated significant fallout, with industry groups arguing the high-profile substitution delivered a severe symbolic and economic blow to beleaguered flower growers and retailers.
Florists Allege ‘Devastating Blow’ to Struggling Sector
The Korea Florists Association immediately issued a strong protest on January 10, asserting the broadcaster’s choice risks devaluing real flowers and portraying them as inefficient or disposable. This incident comes at a critical juncture for an industry facing steep declines.
South Korean floriculture has seen its farming base nearly halve over two decades, dropping from 13,500 farms in 2001 to approximately 7,100 in 2023. The organization emphasized that more than 20,000 small flower shop owners and countless agricultural workers rely on consumer interest, stating, “The use of toy flower bouquets has inflicted yet another wound on flower farmers and florists already suffering due to economic slowdown and reduced consumer spending.”
The association also pointed out the conflict with government efforts, which actively promote everyday flower consumption as part of a national strategy to support the domestic floriculture industry.
Major Precedent Set on National Stage
The controversy’s magnitude stems from its prominence. As one of South Korea’s three primary terrestrial networks, MBC’s year-end awards are highly viewed. Featuring the nation’s most recognizable host, Yoo Jae Suk, amplified the visibility of the plastic arrangements.
The industry worries that this is the first time a major Korean broadcaster has completely eliminated fresh flowers from an awards ceremony, fearing it establishes a harmful precedent for other organizations and award shows to follow. This adoption of artificial alternatives is seen as especially detrimental given the industry’s existing challenges, including a 46% reduction in growers between 2000 and 2020 and a perception of flowers as a dispensable luxury item during economic downturns.
The Problematic ‘Sustainability’ Argument
While MBC’s motivation appeared rooted in promoting sustainability—plastic bouquets do not wilt and are infinitely reusable—the environmental benefits are subject to scrutiny.
Critics argue the non-biodegradable nature of the ABS plastic used in LEGO bricks presents an alternative environmental concern. Though LEGO uses some plant-based plastics for botanical elements, these materials still contribute to long-term plastic accumulation and microplastic pollution upon disposal, defying the principles of a truly circular economy. With studies suggesting the average LEGO brick lifespan is 1,500 years, the durability that appeals to some also means perpetual waste.
Conversely, the Korea Florists Association advocates that locally grown, fresh flowers offer genuine ecological advantages. They are fully biodegradable, support agricultural ecosystems, sequester carbon dioxide during growth, and strengthen rural domestic economies—all goals that align with broader national sustainability initiatives.
Path Forward Amid Policy Conflict
The backlash places policymakers in a difficult position, caught between high-profile cultural trends and existing industrial support programs. The government promotes the “Flower Road” initiative to boost tourism and support domestic growers, who currently struggle against an increasing volume of flower imports, which now account for approximately 30% of domestic consumption.
The Korea Florists Association has urged event organizers and broadcasters nationwide to reconsider the use of artificial substitutes, emphasizing the extensive ripple effect on small businesses and farm livelihoods. Industry analysts suggest pragmatic alternatives, such as using hyper-seasonal, locally sourced floral arrangements with dedicated composting programs, or selecting live potted plants that recipients can maintain, balancing the desire for permanence with genuine eco-friendly practices.
The plastic bouquet at the MBC awards remains a potent symbol of the unintended consequences that arise when modern creative expression clashes with traditional, economically fragile industries.