2024 KBS Drama Awards: Complete winners list, highlights, & more

On January 11, 2025, the 2024 KBS Drama Awards aired, showcasing the best Korean dramas from the past year. The ceremony, originally scheduled for December 31, 2024, was postponed and pre-recorded to honor the victims of the tragic Jeju Air plane crash.

Despite the somber circumstances, the awards celebrated the exceptional talent and productions that captivated audiences throughout the year.

The event was filled with heartfelt moments, including veteran actor Lee Soon-jae becoming the oldest recipient of the prestigious Daesang (Grand Prize) at 90 for his role in Dog Knows Everything.

Speaking about being the oldest recipient of the Daesang, Lee Soon-Jae emphasized that awards should honor actors for their performance, irrespective of age and that acting should be judged on merit rather than popularity or other factors.

"I've received a beautiful and precious award. Even if you're over 60, you can still be recognized with an acting award, not just a lifetime achievement award. Acting should be evaluated based on performance alone, not on popularity or other conditions," Lee Soon-jae said.

Another significant moment was actor Kim Jung-hyun’s public apology during the ceremony. Seemingly addressing past controversies with his former co-star Seohyun, he highlighted the theme of accountability.

For those unaware, Kim Jung-hyun faced backlash in 2018 for unprofessional behavior during the drama Time and later exited the show citing health reasons, was further criticized when messages surfaced in 2021 suggesting alleged manipulation by then-rumored partner Seo Ye-ji.

After a two-year hiatus, he returned to acting with Kokdu: Season of Deity and currently stars in The Iron Family. In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged his past mistakes, offered a sincere apology, and emphasized that his reflection was not about seeking forgiveness but a necessary step for personal growth.

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2024 KBS Drama Awards: Complete list of winners

Among the winners of the 2024 KBS Drama Awards were Kim Myung-soo and Geum Sae-rok, who received the Popularity Awards, while Ji Hyun-woo and Im Soo-hyang won the Top Excellence Awards for their performances in Beauty and Mr. Romantic.

Here's a full list of all the winners who bagged the awards at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards:

Daesang of the 2024 KBS Drama Awards (Grand Prize):

• Lee Soon-jae (Dog Knows Everything)

Top Excellence Awards:

• Kim Jung-hyun (Iron Family)
• Park Ji-young (Iron Family)
• Ji Hyun-woo (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)
• Im Soo-hyang (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)

Excellence Awards (Mini-series):

• Park Ji-hoon (Love Song for Illusion)
• Yeonwoo (Dog Knows Everything)
• Han Ji-hyeon (Face Me)

Excellence Awards of the 2024 KBS Drama Awards (Long-form Drama):

• Shin Hyun-joon (Iron Family)
• Geum Sae-rok (Iron Family)

Excellence Awards (Daily Drama):

• Baek Sung-hyun (Su Ji and U Ri)
• Ham Eunjung (Su Ji and U Ri)
• Oh Chang-suk (The Two Sisters)
• Park Ha-na (My Merry Marriage)

Popularity Awards:

• Kim Myung-soo (Dare to Love Me)
• Geum Sae-rok (Iron Family)

Best Couple Awards:

• Ji Hyun-woo and Im Soo-hyang (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)
• Kim Jung-hyun and Geum Sae-rok (Iron Family)
• Baek Sung-hyun and Ham Eunjung (Su Ji and U Ri)
• Park Ji-young, Shin Hyun-joon, and Kim Hye-eun (Iron Family)
• Yeonwoo, Lee Soon-jae, and Ari (Dog Knows Everything)

Best Supporting Actor Awards:

• Choi Tae-joon (Iron Family)
• Kim Yong-gun (Dog Knows Everything)
• Yoon Yoo-sun (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)

Rookie of the Year:

• Seo Bum-june
• Park Sang-nam
• Hong Ye-ji
• Han Soo-ah

Youth Acting Award:

• Moon Sung-hyun (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)
• Lee Seol-ah (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)

Drama Special Awards:

• Nam Da-reum
• Oh Ye-ju

Best Scriptwriter Award:

• Seo Soo-hyang (Iron Family)

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The 2024 KBS Drama Awards highlighted the industry’s ability to blend artistry with storytelling while honoring the performers and creators who brought unforgettable moments to life.