Seoul International Drama Awards Sees Record 352 Entries from 46 Countries, Grand Prize Goes to Norway's 'A Better Man'

The 21st Seoul International Drama Awards, which saw a record-breaking 352 entries from 46 countries (regions), concluded successfully on Thursday, October 8, at the KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.

Lee Seong-ju, Chairperson of the Seoul International Drama Awards Organizing Committee (President of the Korean Broadcasters Association), stated in his opening remarks, “After passing our 20th anniversary last year, we have written a new chapter of history this year by setting a record for the most entries ever.” He added, “This is a moment that proves the world is passionately communicating through the single language of drama, transcending borders and language barriers.”

The ceremony was graced by domestic winners including writer Kim Eun-sook, a Golden Bird Award recipient, as well as Ryu Seung-ryong, Lim Ji-yeon, Koo Kyo-hwan, and RIIZE's ANTON, alongside international actors and creators such as Anders Baasmo, Elizaveta Maximová, Jin Akanishi, Paulo Avelino, and Gladys Bay.

This year's honor for the Grand Prize in the International Competition category went to the Norwegian drama ‘A Better Man’. Dealing with online hate and gender conflict, this work won three awards at the Seoul International Drama Awards—Grand Prize, Best Writer, and Best Actor—following its success at Canneseries 2025. While Nigerian national actor and producer Joke Silva presented the Grand Prize as the representative of the jury, producer Synnøve Hørsdal expressed the joy of winning, saying, “The fact that our story resonated across borders gives hope that we can understand one another and discover a common language and values.”

Among the winners of the Asia Star Award, selected by global fans, Gladys Bay from Singapore, Jin Akanishi from Japan, and Paulo Avelino from the Philippines took the stage to express their gratitude to fans worldwide.

The performance of domestic dramas was also outstanding. ‘The Dream Life of Mr. Kim’ won three awards, including Best Miniseries in the International Competition, Best Drama in the K-Drama category, and Best Actor in the International Competition. Producer Kim Geon-hong, who took the stage to receive the Best Drama award, reflected on the meaning of family, saying, “I believe this work is a story of a family becoming one.” Ryu Seung-ryong, who won the Best Actor award, shared his thoughts, saying, “I live every day as if it were a gift,” and added, “I am sincerely grateful to those who empathized with and supported our story with the same heart across borders.”

‘My Royal Nemesis’ won two awards, including Best Miniseries in the International Competition and Best Actress in the K-Drama category. Director Han Tae-seop, who took the stage for the Best Drama award, introduced the words of writer Kang Yeong-ju, who said, “Life is in black and white, but it only feels like color when writing,” and mentioned that the sincerity contained in the work was the driving force that completed the long production journey. Lim Ji-yeon, who won the Best Actress award, also described the work as “a miracle-like production made by relying on and supporting each other,” expressing her gratitude to her fellow actors and the production crew.

The leads of ‘We Are All Trying Here’, which won Best Drama and Best Actor in the K-Drama category, also delivered warm messages. Director Cha Young-hoon, who handled the directing, conveyed the comforting message of the work, saying, “Just as you stand up again after a period of pain, I hope you endure the times of anxiety each day and meet times of peace.” Koo Kyo-hwan, who won the Best Actor award, drew attention by appearing on stage wearing the coat that the character Hwang Dong-man wore at important moments, and sent a message of support, hoping everyone would cherish and love themselves in their own way and spend peaceful times.

ANTON of RIIZE, who won the K-Drama category OST award, enjoyed the joy of winning his first solo OST award since debut. Having earned the honor with ‘Close to Me’ from ‘Yumi's Cells Season 3’, ANTON expressed his gratitude to domestic and international fans directly in both Korean and English.

The Golden Bird Award, the highest honor of the Seoul International Drama Awards, went to writer Kim Eun-sook. Kim Eun-sook shared a profound sentiment, saying, “As Korean dramas are no longer just our own creations but have become creations loved worldwide, I feel a sense of responsibility. In times like these, I will hold onto authenticity and the spirit of the times and live my whole life as a drama writer who delivers fun, emotion, and comfort.”

This year's ceremony was hosted by Seoul International Drama Awards official ambassador Kim Nam-gil and MBC announcer Lee Jae-eun, and the heat of the venue was added by celebratory performances from P1Harmony, tripleS, and Mimi. Many domestic and international winners and presenters also attended the red carpet held before the ceremony, drawing great interest.

Meanwhile, the ‘Drama Festa’, which took place from October 9 to 10 around Banpo Hangang Park and the West Lake of Seokchon Lake (Songpa Naru Park), also concluded successfully. Diverse programs, including an OST concert featuring Byul, SOYOU, Jukjae, and So Soo Bin, drama talk concerts featuring actors such as Jung Woong-in and Lee Ji-hoon from ‘Great King Munmu’ and Kim Jae-cheol from ‘The Affair Was Just the Beginning’, and drama experience zones, decorated the autumn nights of Seoul, providing special memories to citizens.

Read the original (Korean)