Who was the entertaining presence at the 2025 Korea Drama Awards? Who were the big winners, and which dramas made a mark on history this year? We definitely felt the passion and talent, from Ahn Jae Wook’s tear-jerking Daesang win to Park Bo Young’s heartwarming performance to Byeon Wooseok’s double popularity awards! It was all there – drama, talent, and the love for K-drama.
We’d like you to reminisce with us as we focus on the winners, winners, winners, and even more K-drama fan favorites at this star-studded event in Jinju!
Event Overview
- Event: 16th Korea Drama Awards 2025
- Date: October 11, 2025
- Venue: Gyeongnam Culture & Arts Center, Jinju, South Korea
- Occasion: Part of the annual Korea Drama Festival
The 2025 Korea Drama Awards took the stage in Jinju, bringing a night of glitz and glamour combined with immense pride for Korean entertainment. This year’s awards were streamed and broadcast live on the Korea Drama Festival (KDF) YouTube channel. Performances took place on stage, acceptance speeches were heart-felt, and halls echoed with fan enthusiasm.
Star talent included Park Bo Young, IU, Kim So Hyun Park Hyung Sik, Yook Sungjae, and Byeon Woo Seok, who were all nominees in major categories, making this event one of the most highly anticipated nights of the year.
Main Winners of the Night
Here’s the full list of winners from the 16th Korea Drama Awards 2025:
🌸 Daesang (Grand Prize):
🏅 Ahn Jae Wook — For Eagle Brothers
🎬 Best Picture:
🏆 Our Movie
💎 Lifetime Achievement Award:
🏆 Kim Yong Rim
👑 Best Actor (Male):
🏆 Yook Sungjae — The Haunted Palace
💫 Best Actress (Female):
🏆 Park Bo Young — Our Unwritten Seoul
🏅 Excellence in Acting (Male):
🏆 Lee Hyun Wook — The Queen Who Crowns, Shark: The Storm
🏅 Excellence in Acting (Female):
🏆 Kim Ji Yeon (Bona) — The Haunted Palace
🌱 Best New Actor:
🏆 Choo Young Woo — The Tale of Lady Ok, Head Over Heels
🏆 Heo Nam Jun — When the Phone Rings, When the Stars Gossip
🌸 Best New Actress:
🏆 Chung Su Bin — Friendly Rivalry
🏆 Hong Hwa Yeon — Buried Hearts, Tastefully Yours, I Am a Running Mate
🌍 Global Star Award:
🏆 Byeon Woo Seok
🔥 Hot Star Awards:
🏆 Byeon Woo Seok (Male)
🏆 Chung Su Bin (Female)
🎤 Multi-tainer Award:
🏆 DKZ’s Jaechan
💞 Best Couple Award:
🏆 Hyeri & Chung Su Bin — Friendly Rivalry
🎵 Best OST:
🏆 Young Tak – “Unknown Life” (For Eagle Brothers)
🎭 Scene-Stealer Awards:
🏆 Lee Hae Young — Trigger, Buried Hearts (Male)
🏆 Lee Ho Jung — Good Boy (Female)
😈 Villain Award:
🏆 Oh Jung Se — Good Boy
Highlights and Vibes from the Night
The 2025 Korea Drama Awards wasn’t just about who won — it was about the joy, unity, and passion that define Korean entertainment.
The moment Ahn Jae Wook walked up to receive his Daesang (Grand Prize) for For Eagle Brothers, the hall filled with thunderous applause. His touching speech about teamwork and gratitude moved both fans and fellow stars.
Park Bo Young, glowing in a chic pastel gown, expressed heartfelt thanks to her team and fans for supporting her journey through Our Unwritten Seoul. Fans also couldn’t stop cheering when Byeon Woo Seok and Chung Su Bin took the stage multiple times — both proving that they’re not just rising stars, but fan-favorite icons.
The red carpet, of course, was a whole story of its own — a blend of high fashion and charm. IU mesmerized fans with her dreamy outfit, while Park Bo Gum’s charismatic smile stole hearts once again.
Don’t miss our piece on [Park Bo Gum and Kim Nam Gil’s new collaboration] — another moment fans can’t stop talking about.
Also check out [Byeon Woo Seok’s rise after My Youth] — the drama that made him Asia’s sweetheart.
And IU fans, relive the magic from [IU’s 2025 fan meet-up highlights] — pure perfection!
How the Winners Were Chosen
Voting for the main categories and popularity awards ran from August 28 to September 22, 2025, letting fans across the globe have a direct say in who would take home the coveted trophies.
This year saw record-breaking engagement, with thousands of votes cast across national TV networks, cable channels, and OTT-based K-dramas. The enthusiasm once again proved how Korean entertainment continues to dominate the global wave.
Fans’ Reactions & Social Buzz
Shortly after the ceremony had concluded, social media was ablaze with hashtags like #KoreaDramaAwards2025, #ByeonWooSeok, and #ParkBoYoung trending worldwide. Fans rushed to share fan cams, edits, and touching messages on X and Instagram.
Many dubbed it one of the most fair and well-deserved award nights in recent years — praising the way the awards honored recognized older actors and up-and-coming talent.
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Wrapping Up
The 16th Korea Drama Awards 2025 was more than a ceremony — it was a celebration of inspiration, love, and the emotive power of storytelling. From Ahn Jae Wook’s Daesang win to Our Movie’s best picture win, and Byeon Woo Seok’s popularity awards, every winner had a singular story worth celebrating.
As the night ended, fans were already buzzing about the future — eagerly waiting for what these stars will bring next. One thing’s for sure: Korean dramas are not slowing down anytime soon.
