On July 18, 2025, paradise truly met Paradise City in Incheon as the 4th Blue Dragon Series Award unfolded—celebrating excellence in Korean streaming dramas and variety shows produced between June 2024 and May 2025. Hosted for the fourth straight year by the dynamic duo Jun Hyun‑moo and Im Yoon‑ah, the ceremony buzzed with A‑list stars, electrifying special performances, and heartfelt speeches.
All Winners 2025 Blue Dragon Series Award
Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines emerged as the night’s biggest victor, clinching the Grand Prize (Daesang and solidifying its status as a global hit. IU winning Best Actress for her role in the same series, and calling it “the proudest work of my career.” Ju Ji Hoon took home. Best Actor for his gripping performance in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, a medical drama that also bagged Best Drama.
In the supporting categories, Lee Kwang Soo won Best Supporting Actor for Karma, while Yeom Hye Ran’s nuanced portrayal in When Life Gives You Tangerines earned her Best Supporting Actress. Rising stars Choo Young Woo and Kim Min Ha were awarded Best New Actor and Best New Actress, respectively, for their standout performances in The Trauma Code and Way Back Love. Here is a full list of Blue Dragon Series Awards 2025:
Drama Category
- Daesang (Grand Prize): “When Life Gives You Tangerines”
- Best Drama: “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call”
- Best Actress: IU (“When Life Gives You Tangerines”)
Best Actor: Ju Ji Hoon (“The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call”) - Best Supporting Actress: Yeom Hye Ran (“When Life Gives You Tangerines”)
Best Supporting Actor: Lee Kwang Soo (“Karma”) - Best Rookie Actress: Kim Min Ha (“Way Back Love”)
Best Rookie Actor: Choo Young Woo (“The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call”)
Variety & Entertainment
- Best Variety Show: Culinary Class Wars
- Best Male Entertainer: Kian84 (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
- Best Female Entertainer: Lee Soo Ji (SNL Korea)
Special Awards
- Upbeat Popularity Stars (fan-voted): IU, Park Bo Gum, Lee Hyeri, Lee Jun Hyuk
- LG U+ Good Influence Award: Ji Ye Eun (Kian’s Bizarre B&B)
- OST Popularity Award: TXT’s Yeonjun (“Cinderella at 2AM”)
Highlights & Viral Moments of Blue Dragon Series Award 2025
- Lee Jun Hyuk & Lee Junyoung mix‑up: A hilarious stage snafu had Lee Junyoung accidentally accepting Lee Jun Hyuk’s Upbit Popularity Award. He kindly returned it amid laughs, turning a potential drama into a viral, crowd‑pleasing moment
- IU’s heartfelt speech made waves as she described When Life Gives You Tangerine drama as “the proudest work of my life,” dedicating her win as Best Actress to characters who inspired her.
- Kian84 tribute: The Kian’s Bizarre B&B host thanked BTS’s Jin during his Best Male Entertainer acceptance—“for not running away”—a sincere shout‑out that warmed hearts
- Showcase performances: Opening performance by Yim Siwan, energized the night with comedic acts that steal the show.
As Korean dramas and variety shows continue to dominate the global stage, this year’s winners prove that the industry is only getting bigger and bolder. We can’t wait to see which stars and stories will shine at next year’s ceremony.
