The 20th Seoul International Drama Awards:

A Star-Studded Celebration Illuminating the Autumn Night

The 20th Awards Ceremony Successfully Held on October 2, – 2025 at KBS Hall –

– Heartfelt Acceptance Speeches by Winners Including IU and Ji-hoon Ju Captivate

Audiences

The 20th Seoul International Drama Awards successfully concluded on Thursday, October 2, at 5 p.m. at the KBS Hall.

In his opening remarks, Moon-shin Bang, Chairman of the Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee(Chairman of the Korean Broadcasters Association), stated, “Launched in 2006 as the world’s first awards ceremony dedicated solely to drama, the Seoul International Drama Awards has grown into a global platform for drama exchange, with this year’s participation including 276 works from 50 countries and regions. It is all the more meaningful that Korean dramas stand at the very center of this achievement.”

The ceremony welcomed nine global stars, including IU, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Min-ha, and Sakaguchi Kentaro, who took home trophies, along with director Na Ji-hyun and Umut Aral, winners of the Best Director Award in the International Competition.

Actors Ji-hoon Ju and IU, who both starred in the hit dramas <The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call>, <When Life Gives You Tangerines>, delivered heartfelt acceptance speeches that captivated the audience. In the K-Drama competition category, Ji-hoon Ju, who received the Outstanding Korean Actor for his performance in <The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call>, expressed his heartfelt gratitude: “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the medical staff at real trauma centers who continue to save lives every day. I worked hard to bring action, wit, and sincerity to my role in the drama. I am also deeply grateful to Director Lee Do-yoon, who carried the project through to the very end despite many challenges.”

Following him, IU, who won the Outstanding Korean Actress, shared a warm embrace with presenter Yeom Hye-ran before delivering her speech: “I sincerely thank writer Lim Sang-choon, director Kim Won-seok, and all the staff for their dedication. It was an honor to work alongside such esteemed senior actors and colleagues as Kim Yong-rim, Na Moon-hee, and Yeom Hye-ran. The time I spent on <When Life Gives You Tangerines> will remain a great source of pride and honor in my life.”

The Golden Bird Prize, the highest honor of the Seoul International Drama Awards, was presented to director Ben Stiller. Accepting via a video message due to filming commitments, he said, “It is a great honor to be recognized in Korea, a country where so many works that have inspired me over the years have been created. I extend my respect to the creators who continue to craft humanistic and aesthetically refined stories.”

Winners of the Outstanding Asian Star, selected through votes by global Hallyu fans, included Kentaro Sakaguchi (Japan), Film Rachanun Mahawan (Thailand), Daniel Padilla (Philippines), and Anna Jobling (Malaysia), all of whom took the stage to thank their fans. Kentaro Sakaguchi, in particular, entertained the audience with his trademark chemistry during an interview segment with MC Doyoun Jang, referencing her popular program <Getaway and Go with Jangdobari>.

Celebrating its 20th edition this year, the Seoul International Drama Awards was hosted by Jang Doyoun Jang and Taecyeon Ok, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, and major broadcasters KBS, MBC, SBS, EBS, and CBS. The ceremony featured a deeply moving performance by renowned Korean vocalist Jang Sa-ik, who touched the hearts of all in attendance. Additional performances by ILLIT, URBAN ZAKAPA, and award-winner YOUNGTAK brought excitement to the stage, while the red carpet event held prior to the ceremony also drew significant attention.

Meanwhile, from October 3 to 4, the Seoul International Drama Awards 2025 “Drama Festa” will take place at Banpo Hangang Park and Seokchon Lake West(Songpa Naru Park).

The festival will feature a star-studded lineup, including an OST concert with Roy Kim, UV (Yoo Se-yoon, Muzie), and Jung-in & Harim, as well as talk concerts with <When Life Gives You Tangerines> actors Min-ae Oh and Kum-soon Kim, and Kim Ji-hoon from <The Haunted Palace> and <Butterfly>. With a variety of programs, the festival aims to create meaningful interactions with audiences.

“Drama Festa” is open to all and free of charge. Full schedules and lineup details can be

found in the chart below.

[Attachment 1] SDA 2025 Awards Winners List

[Attachment 2] DramaFesta Schedule and Lineup