South Korea’s floriculture sector is reeling following the decision by major broadcaster Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to replace traditional flower arrangements with plastic brick bouquets at its high-profile year-end awards ceremony. The move, intended as a contemporary, environmentally conscious gesture, has generated significant backlash from industry leaders who contend the substitution delivers a devastating blow to an already vulnerable agricultural segment.
The controversy arose on December 29, when comedian Yoo Jae Suk accepted his record 21st Grand Prize at the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards holding a stylized bouquet built entirely from LEGO bricks instead of conventional fresh flowers. The high visibility of the event, coupled with the influence of South Korea’s most recognized television host, amplified the symbolic shift, immediately drawing condemnation from the Korea Florists Association (KFA).
Floriculture Industry Decries Symbolic Replacement
On January 10, the KFA issued a formal statement arguing that MBC’s choice risks positioning real flowers as inefficient or obsolete in the public eye, undermining critical efforts to promote everyday floral consumption. This perception shift comes at a crucial time for the industry, which has endured a severe contraction over the past two decades.
Statistics compiled by the KFA reveal a sobering picture: the number of floriculture farms operating in South Korea decreased by nearly 50 percent, from 13,500 in 2001 to approximately 7,100 in 2023. The association emphasized that thousands of small flower shop owners and a vast network of farmers rely directly on domestic fresh flower sales for their sustenance.
“The use of toy flower bouquets has inflicted yet another wound on flower farmers and florists who are already suffering due to economic slowdown and reduced consumer spending,” the KFA stated, pointing out that government policies actively encourage domestic flower culture as a tool for industry development.
Sustainability Arguments Under Scrutiny
MBC likely adopted the plastic bouquets in pursuit of sustainability, as they eliminate the immediate waste associated with discarded arrangements and can be reused. However, this environmental rationale has drawn skepticism. While the plastic bricks used for botanical elements are derived from sugarcane, they are not biodegradable and contribute to the rapidly increasing global stock of non-compostable plastic.
Conversely, industry advocates note that fresh flowers offer inherent environmental benefits. They are fully biodegradable, support local ecosystems, and their cultivation on domestic farms aids in carbon capture and fortifies regional agricultural economies.
The timing adds urgency to the florists’ concerns. This marks the first instance of a major Korean terrestrial broadcaster fully substituting genuine floral prizes with toy alternatives, setting a potentially damaging precedent that the KFA fears other organizations will adopt. The industry is already battling declining consumer perception, which often relegates flowers to luxury status rather than daily purchases.
Call for Policy Alignment and Compromise
The controversy inadvertently complicates the “Flower Road” initiative, a government-backed effort aimed at boosting the domestic sector through promoting tourism and creating public flower gardens. Industry leaders worry that influential cultural events, like the MBC awards, could inadvertently sabotage these policy goals just as the sector struggles against cheap, high-quality flower imports increasingly dominating the market.
The KFA is urging all broadcasters and major event organizers to reconsider such decisions, appealing to the broader economic ripple effects felt across the supply chain. Some observers propose alternative solutions, suggesting that awards ceremonies could prioritize locally sourced, seasonal flowers alongside robust composting or recycling programs. Others recommend integrating potted plants as prizes, offering a potentially longer-lasting and viable form of display for recipients.
As the immediate furor subsides, the debate over the plastic bouquets symbolizes a greater conflict in South Korea: balancing environmental innovation against the economic stability of traditional, regional industries, and addressing the tangible consequences when these differing values collide on a national stage.