The 2025 Seoulcon APAN Star Awards brought the year in Korean drama to a dazzling close on December 29, honoring outstanding performances across broadcast, cable, OTT, and web platforms. The star-studded event, hosted by Kim Seung-Woo and Park Sun-Young, recognized the most impactful dramas aired between November 2024 and October 2025.
IU emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing the prestigious Grand Prize (Daesang) for her performance in When Life Gives You Tangerines. The Netflix drama also took home the coveted Drama of the Year award, along with Best Director for Kim Won Seok.
Actor Lee Jun-Ho dominated the ceremony with three major wins — the Top Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries for Typhoon Family, the Popularity Star Award (Actor), and the Global Star Award. His trophy for Typhoon Family was presented by Ji Chang-Wook, adding an extra layer of excitement to the night.
Cha Eun-Woo was honored with the Best Entertainer Award, while Kim Hye-Yoon received the Popularity Star Award (Actress). The Asia Star Award went to Jin Young and Chung Su Bin, highlighting their international appeal.
New talent was also celebrated. Lee Chae-Min (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty), Kang You Seok (Resident Playbook), and Ha Young (The Trauma Code) took home the Best New Actor and Actress accolades. Young performers Kim Tae-Yeon and Lee Cheon-Mu were recognized as Best Child Actors.
A full breakdown of the winners is as follows:
- Grand Prize (Daesang): IU – When Life Gives You Tangerines
- Drama of the Year: When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
- Best Director: Kim Won Seok – When Life Gives You Tangerines
- Best Screenwriter: Jang Hyun Sook – Typhoon Family
- Popularity Star Award (Actor): Lee Jun-Ho
- Popularity Star Award (Actress): Kim Hye-Yoon
- Best Entertainer Award: Cha Eun-Woo
- Global Star Award: Lee Jun-Ho
- Asia Star Award: Jin Young, Chung Su Bin
- Best Original Soundtrack: Lim Young Woong – Heavenly Ever After
- Top Excellence Award (Actor – Miniseries): Lee Jun-Ho – Typhoon Family
- Top Excellence Award (Actress – Miniseries): Cha Joo-Young – The Queen Who Crowns
- Excellence Award (Actor – Miniseries): Lee Jun-Young
- Excellence Award (Actress – Miniseries): Shin Ye-Eun
- Top Excellence Award (Actor – Serial Drama): Son Chang-Min
- Top Excellence Award (Actress – Serial Drama): Park Ha-Na
- Excellence Award (Actor – Serial Drama): Kim Dong-Wan
- Excellence Award (Actress – Serial Drama): Park Eun-Hye
- Excellence Award (Actor – Short/Web Drama): Park Sung-Woong
- Excellence Award (Actress – Short/Web Drama): Park Ha-Na
- Excellence Acting Award (Actor): Ko Kyu-Pil
- Excellence Acting Award (Actress): Oh Na-Ra
- Best New Actor: Lee Chae-Min, Kang You Seok
- Best New Actress: Ha Young
- Best Child Actor: Kim Tae-Yeon, Lee Cheon-Mu
- Best Couple Award: Lee Hyeri & Chung Su Bin – Friendly Rivalry
The APAN Star Awards continues to be a celebration of creativity, talent, and storytelling, solidifying its role as one of the most prestigious honors in Korean drama.
