The 21st Seoul International Drama Awards has unveiled partial winners ahead of its official ceremony next month, with Norwegian drama A Better Man and South Korean series The Dream of a Good Father emerging as the night’s biggest winners, each claiming three honors.
Organizers announced the preliminary results on Tuesday, setting the stage for the awards gala scheduled for September 8 at KBS Hall in Seoul. The full list of winners, including the prestigious Golden Bird Award, will be disclosed on August 29.
International Winners Highlight Cross-Border Storytelling
A Better Man took home the top prize in the International Competition category, winning the Grand Prize (Daesang). The series also earned the award for Best Screenplay, and its lead actor, Anders Baasmo, shared the Best Actor honor with South Korean star Ryu Seung-ryong for his role in The Dream of a Good Father.
The Korean series, which chronicles the life of a department head navigating midlife challenges, also won Best Miniseries in the International Competition and Best Drama in the Korean Drama category.
Korean Drama Category Recognizes Rising Stars
In the Korean Drama category, Striving to Overcome Our Insecurities earned Best Drama. Its lead actor, Koo Kyo-hwan, won Best Actor, while Lim Ji-yeon took Best Actress for her performance in My Royal Nemesis.
The Best Original Soundtrack (OST) award went to “Close to Me,” performed by RIIZE member Anton, for the drama Yumi’s Cells Season 3.
Fan-Voted Asian Star Awards
Seven celebrities were named winners of the Asian Star Award, determined by online audience voting. The honorees include NCT member Jaemin for Wind Up, BLACKPINK member Jisoo for Subscription Boyfriend, and Chinese actor Yang Yang for the series A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality.
Broader Context and Industry Impact
The Seoul International Drama Awards, now in its 21st year, has grown into a key platform recognizing excellence in television from around the world. This year’s results underscore a trend toward global co-productions and the increasing reach of Korean content, often referred to as Hallyu, alongside strong showings from European and Asian markets.
Industry analysts note that streaming platforms have accelerated cross-border storytelling, making awards like these a barometer for international audience tastes. The shared Best Actor award between a Norwegian and a Korean performer highlights the diminishing boundaries of television drama.
What’s Next
The full awards ceremony on September 8 is expected to attract international media attention, with the Golden Bird Award—the event’s highest honor—announced later this month. For viewers and industry professionals, the results offer a glimpse into which stories and performances are resonating globally in an increasingly interconnected entertainment landscape.
