The 2025 SEOULCON APAN STAR AWARDS celebrated Korean dramas, with IU winning the Grand Prize and Netflix's 'Otsukaresama' taking multiple awards.

The only integrated drama awards ceremony in the country, the '2025 SEOULCON APAN STAR AWARDS', concluded successfully. Yesterday (29th), at the Art Hall 1 of the Seoul Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the '2025 SEOULCON APAN STAR AWARDS with KS Auto Plan' (hereafter 'APAN STAR AWARDS') was held, hosted by the Korea Entertainment Management Association and the Seoul Economic Promotion Agency, with Modern Village and Guardians Company as the main organizers. The event was hosted by actors Kim Seung-woo and Park So-nyung. The awards ceremony started with a celebratory stage by CLASS:y's Chewon and actor Jeong Yeong-joo, creating a lively atmosphere from the beginning. Actors and industry personnel who shone in Korean dramas over the past year gathered as presenters and awardees, making it a festive occasion to reflect on the drama scene of 2025. This year's 'APAN STAR AWARDS' evaluated all drama content aired from November 2024 to October 2025, including terrestrial, comprehensive, cable, OTT (video streaming services), and web dramas, selecting awardees and works. Many nominated works demonstrated both global commercial appeal and topicality, leading to fiercer competition than in previous years. The Grand Prize trophy for the 11th 'APAN STAR AWARDS' was awarded to IU. IU expressed, 'Being able to participate in 'Otsukaresama' is a proud and important work that remains like a medal.' She continued, 'Our work tells the stories of people living each day sincerely, and I sincerely hope that for all viewers who supported and empathized with their lives, a wonderful reward awaits at the next turn, like the canola flower field walked by Esung and Gwangsik. Thank you for a year of 'Otsukaresama' in 2025.' The Best Work award also went to Netflix's 'Otsukaresama', which swept multiple awards including the Grand Prize, Best Director, Best Male Performance in a Mid-length Drama, Best Newcomer, and Best Young Actor, making it the most awarded work at this ceremony. In the Best Performance category, the performances of actors in long and mid-length dramas stood out. The Best Male and Female Performance in a Mid-length Drama were awarded to 2PM's Junho (tvN's 'Teppun Trading') and Cha Juyoung (TVING's 'Won-gyeong: Queen of Desire'), respectively. The Best Male and Female Performance in a Long Drama went to Ahn Jae-wook and Um Ji-won (both from KBS 2TV's 'Please Take Care of the Drug Brothers'). Additionally, actors who demonstrated solid acting skills received trophies in the Excellent Performance category. The Excellent Male and Female Performance in a Mid-length Drama were awarded to Lee Jun-young (Netflix's 'Otsukaresama', KBS 2TV's 'Can Love Train You? - 24-Hour Fitness -') and Shin Ye-eun (Disney+'s 'Muddy Flow', JTBC's 'Memories of 100'), respectively. The Excellent Male and Female Performance in a Long Drama were awarded to Seo Ha-jun (MBC's 'The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun') and Park Woo-nee (KBS 1TV's 'Mari and the Changed Dads'). Furthermore, the Male Performance Award went to Ko Gyu-pil (Netflix's 'Wish Upon a Magic Lamp', KBS 2TV's 'TWELVE') and Yoon Kyung-ho (Netflix's 'Trauma Code'), while the Female Performance Award went to Kim Shin-rok (MBC's 'Undercover High School', ENA's 'Romance Has a Hidden Flavor') and Oh Na-ra (KBS 2TV's 'The Country of Villains', JTBC's 'The Story of a Kind Man'). The Short Drama Performance Award went to Jeong Gon-joo (KBS 2TV's 'KBS Drama Special 2024 - When You Turn the Corner'). Next, the Male and Female Performance Awards for Web Dramas were awarded to Kim Gi-hyeon (PULSE PICK's 'No MZ for the Elderly') and Park Ha-sun (PULSE PICK's 'Useless Love', 'Psychopath Yoo Seung-jung'), respectively. The Newcomer Award, which can only be won once, was awarded to male actors Kang Yu-seok (tvN's 'Someday, Smart Resident Life', Netflix's 'Otsukaresama') and Lee Che-min (tvN's 'The Tyrant Chef', MBC's 'Bunny and the Brothers'), while the Female Newcomer Award went to Ha-young (Netflix's 'Trauma Code', KBS 2TV's 'FACE ME') and Hong Hwa-young (SBS's 'Buried Heart', ENA's 'Your Flavor', TVING's 'Running Mate'). The Youth Actor Award, which has high expectations for the future, was awarded to Kim Tae-yong and Lee Cheong-moo (both from Netflix's 'Otsukaresama'). Additionally, Jang Hyun (tvN's 'Teppun Trading') received the Script Award, and Kim Won-seok received the Director Award (Netflix's 'Otsukaresama'), recognizing their contributions to enhancing the quality of the work. On this day, the winners of the Idol Champ 6 categories, determined by fan voting, were also announced. The Male and Female Actor Popularity Awards went to 2PM's Junho and Kim Hae-yoon, respectively, while the Global Star Award went to 2PM's Junho, the Best Couple Award went to Girl's Day's Hyeri & Jeong Su-bin ('Good Intentions'), the Best OST Award went to Lim Young-woon ('Heavenly Ever After'), and the Best Entertainer Award went to ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo, proving their global popularity. Additionally, the KS Auto Plan Asia Star Award, a special award, was given to Jinyoung and Jeong Su-bin, while the KS Auto Plan Icon Award was awarded to Han Ji-eun, recognizing their achievements over the year. The Global Influencer Award, given to influencers who shone in global content, was awarded to Tatta and Huifui in the overseas category, and Kim Pro, Yoo Baek-hap, and Park Il-so in the domestic category. The 'APAN STAR AWARDS' started in 2012 and has focused on the efforts of production teams and actors for drama content, regardless of platform or genre. It is expected to continue as a festival worthy of the title of 'the only integrated drama awards ceremony in the Republic of Korea'.