16th Korea Drama Awards Winners Celebrate a Night of Surprises and Star Power
The 16th Korea Drama Awards winners were officially revealed on October 11, 2025, during a star-studded event at the Gyeongnam Culture and Arts Center in Jinju. The prestigious award ceremony, part of the ten-day Korea Drama Festival, honoured standout achievements from 92 dramas that aired over the past year across public broadcasters, cable networks, and OTT platforms.
With the event broadcast live through the Korea Drama Festival’s official YouTube channel, fans around the world tuned in to see which of their favourite stars would take home this year’s biggest titles.
Yook Sung Jae Tops Best Actor Category, Surpassing Park Bo Gum and Park Hyung Sik
One of the most talked-about moments of the night came when Yook Sung Jae, member of BTOB and lead actor in The Haunted Palace, was named Best Actor (Top Excellence Award). His win came as a surprise to many, considering he was competing against top-tier stars like Park Bo Gum and Park Hyung Sik, who are usually favourites in this category.
Yook’s performance in The Haunted Palace was praised for its emotional depth and strong screen presence, showing his growth as a serious actor beyond his idol image.
Park Bo Young, Byeon Woo Seok and Chung Su Bin Among Big Winners
Actress Park Bo Young walked away with the Top Excellence Award (Actress) for her role in Our Unwritten Seoul. Her performance resonated deeply with audiences, beating out a strong lineup of nominees including IU, Lee Se Young, Lim Ji Yeon, and Han Ji Min.
In the popularity categories, Byeon Woo Seok, known for his breakout performance in Lovely Runner, made headlines once again. Despite not appearing in any new dramas this year, he won both the Hot Star Award (Male) and the Global Star Award, highlighting his continued influence and fanbase.
Rising star Chung Su Bin, who captured hearts in Friendly Rivalry, also had a standout night. She was awarded the Hot Star Award (Female) and Best New Actress, and also won Best Couple alongside co-star Lee Hyeri for their on-screen chemistry.
Daesang Goes to Ahn Jae Wook for ‘For Eagle Brothers’
The most prestigious honour of the evening, the Grand Prize (Daesang), was awarded to veteran actor Ahn Jae Wook for his powerful role in For Eagle Brothers. His performance was widely praised for its emotional intensity and mature storytelling, solidifying his reputation as one of Korea’s finest actors.
Lee Hyun Wook and Kim Ji Yeon received Excellence in Acting Awards in the male and female categories respectively, while the Best Villain Award went to Oh Jung Se for his chilling role in Good Boy.
The Best Picture (Drama) award was given to Our Movie, a drama that stood out for its strong writing, emotional themes, and excellent production.
16th Korea Drama Awards 2025 Full Winners List
- Best Actor (Top Excellence): Yook Sung Jae The Haunted Palace
- Best Actress (Top Excellence): Park Bo Young Our Unwritten Seoul
- Grand Prize (Daesang): Ahn Jae Wook – For Eagle Brothers
- Best New Actor: Choo Young Woo (The Tale of Lady Ok, Head Over Heels), Heo Nam Joon (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)
- Excellence in Acting (Male): Lee Hyun Wook – Shark: The Storm, The Queen Who Crowns
- Excellence in Acting (Female): Kim Ji Yeon
- Best Picture (Drama): Our Movie
- Best Villain: Oh Jung Se – Good Boy
- Best Couple: Lee Hyeri and Chung Su Bin – Friendly Rivalry
- Hot Star Award (Male): Byeon Woo Seok – Lovely Runner
- Hot Star Award (Female): Chung Su Bin – Friendly Rivalry
- Global Star Award: Byeon Woo Seok
- Best OST: Young Tak “Unpredictable Life” from For Eagle Brothers
- Multi-tainer Award: Park Jae Chan (Bitter Sweet Hell, Check-In Hanyang)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Kim Yong Rim Also Read:Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon, ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ win big
Conclusion
The 16th Korea Drama Awards winners list reflects a refreshing shift in recognition, with both veteran and rising stars sharing the spotlight. From Yook Sung Jae’s surprise Best Actor win to Byeon Woo Seok’s continued popularity despite a quiet year, this year’s ceremony proved once again how diverse and dynamic the Korean drama industry continues to be. Fans can now look forward to how these wins will influence upcoming casting decisions and future projects in 2026.
