Seoul International Drama Awards 2026 Celebrates Global Storytelling Beyond Borders

- Norway’s “A Better Man” sweeps three awards, including the Grand Prize -

- Global stars and creators share heartfelt moments in a celebration of drama -

The 21st Seoul International Drama Awards came to a successful close on Thursday, October 8, at KBS Hall in Seoul, bringing together leading stars and creators from around the world.

In his opening remarks, Sung-joo Lee, Chairman of the Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee and President of the Korean Broadcasters Association, highlighted this year's record submissions following the event's 20th anniversary in 2025. “This milestone shows how people around the world are connecting through the universal language of drama, transcending national and linguistic boundaries,” he said.

The ceremony welcomed Golden Bird Prize recipient Eun-sook Kim, Korean winners Seung-ryong Ryu, Ji-yeon Lim, Kyo-hwan Koo and ANTON of RIIZE, alongside international stars and creators including Anders Baasmo, Elizaveta Maximová, Jin Akanishi, Paulo Avelino and Gladys Bay.

Norway’s “A Better Man,” which explores online hate and gender conflict, swept three awards in the International Competition, taking home the Grand Prize, Best Screenwriter for Thomas Seeberg Torjussen and Best Actor for Anders Baasmo. Joke Silva, president and founder of the Forum for Women in Film and TV (FWIFT) Nigeria, presented the Grand Prize to producer Synnøve Hørsdal, who said, “The fact that it resonates so far outside our own borders gives me real hope. It shows that we can understand each other, and we can find common language and values if we try.”

Apple TV’s “Pluribus” also earned two major honors in the International Competition, winning Best Miniseries and Best Director, with Vince Gilligan and Gordon Smith jointly receiving the directing honor. Created by Vince Gilligan, the acclaimed mind behind “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” the series has resonated with audiences worldwide. Accepting the award on behalf of the production team, producer Jeff Frost emphasized how much it meant to bring people together on a global scale through the series.

Other international winners included Taiwan’s “Had I Not Seen the Sun” and Greece’s “The Child,” which both won Best Series, as well as Spain’s “Unfiltered,” which took home Best Short Form. Phoebe Ma, producer of “Had I Not Seen the Sun,” reflected on the challenges of bringing the story to life, while Yannis Papadopoulos, president of the board of directors of ERT, emphasized the importance of international cooperation and bringing Greek storytelling to audiences worldwide.

Best Actress winner Elizaveta Maximová shared a particularly touching moment, saying, “To have my mom beside me while receiving this award for ‘Mom’ makes this moment even more special.”

The fan-voted Outstanding Asian Star recipients Gladys Bay of Singapore, Jin Akanishi of Japan, and Paulo Avelino of the Philippines took the stage to express their gratitude to fans around the world. Jin and Gladys delivered much of their acceptance speeches in Korean, while Paulo expressed gratitude to his fans and the behind-the-scenes crew.

Korean dramas also enjoyed notable success. “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim” claimed three awards across the International Competition and K-Drama categories, including Best Actor for Seung-ryong Ryu. Ryu thanked international audiences for embracing the series and reflected on the value of everyday life. Kyo-hwan Koo and Ji-yeon Lim received Outstanding Korean Actor and Outstanding Korean Actress for “We Are All Trying Here” and “My Royal Nemesis,” respectively.

ANTON of RIIZE received the Outstanding Korean Drama OST award for “Close to Me” from “Yumi’s Cells 3.” He thanked fans for their love and support, also delivering a message of gratitude in English to his international fans.

The Golden Bird Prize, the highest honor of the Seoul International Drama Awards, went to screenwriter Eun-sook Kim. Reflecting on the worldwide popularity of Korean dramas, Kim expressed a growing sense of responsibility as a creator and pledged to remain committed to authenticity and the spirit of the times, continuing to write dramas that bring entertainment, emotional resonance and comfort to audiences throughout her life.

Hosted by SDA ambassador Nam-gil Kim and MBC announcer Jae-eun Lee, the ceremony featured special performances by P1Harmony, tripleS and Mimi. A red carpet event featuring Korean and international stars and creators was held ahead of the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Drama Festa, held on October 9 and 10 at Banpo Hangang Park and Seokchon West Lake (Songpa Naru Park), also concluded successfully. Featuring drama OST concerts, drama talk sessions and interactive experiences, the festival offered drama lovers from around the world an opportunity to come together and enjoy a variety of programs in Seoul.