It was a big night for Netflix at the fourth Blue Dragon Series Awards held on July 18, 2025. This year’s ceremony returned to Paradise City in Incheon, where fans, stars, and creators gathered to celebrate the best in streaming content. Unlike traditional TV awards, this event only honors shows made for online platforms. It’s now one of the few major Korean award shows focused on OTT dramas and variety content.
Since its launch in 2022 by Sports Chosun, the Blue Dragon Series Awards (BSA) has continued to reflect how much streaming platforms like Netflix, Tving, and Wavve have changed how people watch Korean content. As these platforms grow, so do the stories they tell.
The biggest winner of the night was When Life Gives You Tangerines. It walked away with four awards, including the Grand Prize (Daesang). IU won Best Actress, Yeom Hye Ran won Best Supporting Actress, and both IU and Park Bo Gum earned Popular Star Awards.
Park Bo Gum, who plays Gwan-sik in the series, thanked the crew and fans during his speech. He shared how meaningful the role was for him. The drama shows the life of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik over many decades, from Jeju in 1960 to modern-day Seoul. It’s a quiet but powerful story that’s emotionally heavy, especially if you’ve followed the characters through all four seasons.
IU, who played both Ae-sun and her daughter Geum-myeong, also became emotional during her speech. She said the drama was one of the proudest projects of her life. She thanked the staff, cast, and especially viewers who stayed with the story. IU also spoke about how the characters reflect the real struggles of women who had to live bravely even when life felt blurry or unfair.
A Closer Look at This Year’s Major Winners
Netflix’s The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call also had a strong night. It won Best Drama. Lead actor Ju Ji Hoon received Best Actor, while Choo Young Woo won Best Rookie Actor for his role in the same show.
Other notable winners include:
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Best Supporting Actor: Lee Kwang Soo (Karma)
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Best Rookie Actress: Kim Min Ha (Way Back Love)
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Best Variety Program: Culinary Class Wars
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Best Male Entertainer: Kian84 (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
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Best Female Entertainer: Lee Soo Ji (SNL Korea Season 6 and 7)
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Best Rookie Male Entertainer: Moon Sang Hoon (The Blank Menu for You)
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Best Rookie Female Entertainer: OH MY GIRL’s Mimi (Kian is CEO)
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Popular Star Awards: IU, Park Bo Gum, Hyeri, Lee Jun Hyuk
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OST Popularity Award: TXT’s Yeonjun (Cinderella at 2AM)
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Good Influence Award: Ji Ye Eun (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
Many fans were happy to see The Trauma Code finally get recognition. It may not have been as buzzy as some of the flashier dramas, but its focus on everyday medical heroes clearly made an impact. Ju Ji Hoon’s performance was subtle but strong, exactly what the role needed. Choo Young Woo, still early in his career, showed promise and earned his spot in the spotlight.
Kim Min Ha winning Best Rookie Actress was also well-deserved. Her role in Way Back Love felt honest and relatable, even though the show didn’t get as much mainstream attention as others. These kinds of wins often point to a future trend—stories that feel smaller but hit deeper.
Fans also paid close attention to the variety category. Culinary Class Wars, a chaotic survival cooking show, was a surprise hit this year. It mixed humor, real talent, and strange moments that kept people talking. Kian84 winning Best Male Entertainer was expected. He’s been everywhere lately and always brings his quirky personality. Lee Soo Ji’s win as Best Female Entertainer shows how well she connects with audiences, both online and offline.
The Popular Star Awards were another fan-favorite moment. IU and Park Bo Gum were obvious choices given the success of Tangerines, but Hyeri and Lee Jun-hyuk also earned huge cheers. These awards are often seen as the most relatable—they reflect what viewers love, even if the critics don’t always agree.
Full List of Winners – Blue Dragon Series Awards 2025
Drama Section
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Grand Prize (Daesang): When Life Gives You Tangerines
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Best Drama: The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
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Best Actress: IU (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
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Best Actor: Ju Ji Hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
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Best Supporting Actress: Yeom Hye Ran (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
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Best Supporting Actor: Lee Kwang Soo (Karma)
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Best Rookie Actress: Kim Min Ha (Way Back Love)
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Best Rookie Actor: Choo Young Woo (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
Variety Section
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Best Variety Program: Culinary Class Wars
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Best Female Entertainer: Lee Soo Ji (SNL Korea Season 6, 7)
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Best Male Entertainer: Kian84 (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
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Best Rookie Female Entertainer: Mimi (OH MY GIRL) (Kian is CEO)
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Best Rookie Male Entertainer: Moon Sang Hoon (The Blank Menu for You)
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Popular Star Awards: IU, Park Bo Gum, Hyeri, Lee Jun Hyuk
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OST Popularity Award: Yeonjun (TXT) – Cinderella at 2AM
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Good Influence Award: Ji Ye Eun (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
The ceremony also had a few performances. Yim Si-wan, Jaessbee, and the girl group KiiKii all performed live. It wasn’t just about trophies. The night felt more like a celebration of how much Korean storytelling has changed in just a few years.
Streaming content is now leading the wave in how dramas are made and shared. Platforms like Netflix are now investing more in Korean stories that have strong local roots but also global appeal. Shows like When Life Gives You Tangerines prove that slow, emotional, and meaningful stories still matter.
This year’s Blue Dragon Series Awards didn’t just celebrate big names. It also spotlighted fresh talent, underdog shows, and new trends in how people watch and connect with Korean content. For fans and creators alike, the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards were another reminder—OTT storytelling is here to stay.
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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