At the 2025 SBS Entertainment Awards, broadcast live from Seoul’s SBS Prism Tower at 8:50 p.m. KST on Dec. 30, Choi took home the Top Excellence Award in the Reality category.
“Honestly, this feels like more than I deserve,” he said onstage, looking genuinely stunned. “Standing among such incredible seniors and peers in variety, I’m not sure I’m the one who should be receiving this.”
He went on to thank the producers of "My Little Old Boy." “Last year I shared that, because of the show, I saw my mom put on makeup for the first time in her life. 'My Little Old Boy' means something completely different to me because of moments like that. It changed me, and it helped me repair my relationship with my mother. I’m deeply grateful.”
Choi also reflected on a full-circle moment from his early career. “It’s been 20 years since I debuted. I first came to Seoul to pursue music, and someone heard me and said, ‘You should act.’ That person is here tonight. Meeting her at an awards show for the first time feels incredibly meaningful, and I’m thankful.”
That person was beloved TV personality Park Kyung-lim. “She’s like a mom to me,” Choi said, directing his gratitude to Park. “I’ve always wanted to say thank you.”
He closed by dedicating the award to his mother, wishing her health and happiness.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Hyo-jung)