The stars of South Korea’s streaming scene came together under one roof on July 18, as the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards returned to Paradise City Hotel in Incheon for a night packed with prestige, power, and standout performances. With Jun Hyun Moo and Girls’ Generation’s YoonA reprising their roles as hosts for the fourth consecutive year, the ceremony once again spotlighted the creative force of original series and variety shows made for OTT platforms.
Topping the honors this year with a near-sweep was Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines, which clinched the coveted Daesang (Grand Prize), Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards. IU, who portrayed the luminous and complex Aesoon, received one of the night’s highest honors, and her acceptance speech was just as stirring:
“This will likely remain the proudest work of my life,” she said. “It made me feel more alive and expressive than ever… To all the Aesoons who lived their lives vividly in a world that told us to stay blurry, and to every Geummyeong who planted their dreams with boldness, I dedicate my respect and gratitude.”
Her co-star Yeom Hye Ran, awarded Best Supporting Actress for her role as Gwang Rye, echoed that emotional depth in her own moment on stage: “I’ve never received this much support and praise in my life. It’s overwhelming,” she said. “I thank the writer and director for giving me a once-in-a-lifetime project.”
Park Bo Gum, who appeared in a small but striking role, accepted the Best Drama award for When Life Gives You Tangerines with quiet grace: “I sincerely thank the crew who worked hard through all four seasons. It was an honour to portray Gwan Sik. This was made possible thanks to the child actors and senior actor Park Hae Joon.”
Netflix’s The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call was another big winner of the night, taking home Best Drama alongside Best Actor for Ju Ji Hoon and Best New Actor for Choo Young Woo. Ju, applauded for bringing intensity and humanity to the medical thriller, acknowledged the challenge of adapting source material with a humble nod to his team: “Bringing a comic book to life is no easy feat… Thanks to everyone who helped make it realistic, especially my comrade, Director Lee Do Yoon.”
Elsewhere, Karma scored a memorable win as Lee Kwang Soo nabbed Best Supporting Actor, delivering a typically offbeat acceptance: “D.O. told me he dreamt I died from an infection after getting a hair transplant. He cursed me out but said it was a lucky dream. Thanks, D.O.!”
With fierce competition, powerful performances, and a landscape shifting away from traditional networks, the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards reflected the future of Korean entertainment—bold, global, and unapologetically digital.
Here’s a complete list of the night’s winners:
- Grand Prize (Daesang): When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
- Best Drama: The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Netflix)
- Best Variety Show: Culinary Class Wars (Netflix)
- Best Actress: IU (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- Best Actor: Ju Ji Hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
- Best Female Entertainer: Lee Soo Ji (SNL Korea)
- Best Male Entertainer: Kian84 (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
- Best Supporting Actress: Yeom Hye Ran (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- Best Supporting Actor: Lee Kwang Soo (Karma)
- Best OST Popularity Award: TXT’s Yeonjun (Cinderella at 2 AM)
- Upbit Popularity Stars: Park Bo Gum, Hyeri, Lee Jun Hyuk, IU
- LG U+ Good Influence Award: Ji Ye Eun (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
- Best New Actress: Kim Min Ha (Way Back Love)
- Best New Actor: Choo Young Woo (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
- Best New Female Entertainer: Mimi (Kian is CEO)
- Best New Male Entertainer: Moon Sang Hoon (The Blank Menu for You)
From well-deserved wins to a few unexpected snubs (So Ji Sub, we see you), the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards gave fans plenty to talk about.
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