South Korea’s floriculture industry is reeling after a major broadcaster replaced traditional fresh flower bouquets with plastic LEGO arrangements during a prestigious year-end awards ceremony, sparking a public debate over sustainability and economic impact. The controversy began December 29 when comedian Yoo Jae Suk accepted his record 21st Grand Prize at the 2025 MBC Entertainment Awards holding a colorful toy bouquet instead of the customary roses and lilies.
What broadcaster Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) likely intended as a modern, environmentally conscious gesture has drawn swift condemnation from the Korea Florists Association. The organization argues that substituting genuine flowers with synthetic alternatives delivers a severe blow to an already fragile sector, potentially framing real flowers as inefficient or disposable during a critical period for the industry.
Floriculture Faces Decades of Decline
The reaction underscores the profound challenges facing South Korean flower growers. Statistical data illustrates a dramatic contraction: the number of floriculture farms dropped nearly 50%, from 13,500 in 2001 to approximately 7,100 by 2023. These farms support over 20,000 small flower shops and countless livelihoods tied to the consumption of fresh flowers.
“The introduction of toy flower bouquets has inflicted yet another wound on flower farmers and florists already struggling due to economic slowdown and reduced consumer spending,” the association stated in a January 10 release. They highlighted the contradiction with active government policies designed to promote everyday floral culture and support floriculture development.
The visibility of the MBC awards, among the nation’s most-watched programs, amplified the symbolic shift. Yoo Jae Suk, one of the nation’s most influential television personalities, displayed the plastic bouquet, setting a precedent that the floristry industry fears other networks and major organizations might follow. This occurred despite a 46% reduction in the number of growers between 2000 and 2020, as the agricultural sector battles perceptions that flowers are a luxury expense.
The Problematic Promise of Plastic
MBC’s switch was seemingly motivated by sustainability, citing the zero-waste, indefinite reuse potential of LEGO flowers. However, experts note the environmental trade-offs. While the LEGO Group utilizes bio-polyethylene derived from sugarcane for some botanical elements, critics point out that plant-based plastics do not biodegrade and can contribute to microplastic pollution. Furthermore, the longevity of plastic bricks—each estimated to last 1,500 years—adds to global plastic accumulation.
Conversely, domestic flower production offers genuine environmental benefits: flowers are completely biodegradable, support local agricultural ecosystems, and their cultivation captures carbon dioxide. The industry argues that promoting local production aligns with national sustainability goals and strengthens rural economies.
Amid divided public opinion, the controversy puts South Korean policymakers in a tight spot. The government has prioritized supporting the domestic sector through initiatives like the “Flower Road” project, aimed at boosting tourism and mitigating the impact of increasing foreign imports, which now account for about 30% of the Korean flower market. The association fears that influential cultural moments, such as the widely televised awards, could undercut these policy efforts.
The Korea Florists Association has urged event organizers and broadcasters to reconsider the use of zero-waste alternatives that bypass natural products. Industry observers have suggested compromises, such as utilizing locally grown, seasonal flowers with mandatory composting programs or substituting plastic with potted plants that recipients can maintain long-term. The LEGO bouquet stands as a contentious symbol, highlighting the difficult balance between perceived environmental innovation and the tangible economic impact on established, yet struggling, domestic industries.