As 2025 is about to end, the Korean entertainment industry is preparing multiple respected television award ceremonies. Two of these award shows, the 2025 Seoulcon APAN Star Awards and MBC Entertainment Awards will be held today.
Hosted by the Korea Entertainment Management Association and the Seoul Economic Promotion Agency, the ceremony recognizes talented Kdrama actors and heartfelt shows. Eligible works include series aired between November 2024 and October 2025. This includes shows aired on terrestrial networks, cable channels, OTT platforms, and web dramas.
Previous recipients of the prestigious Grand Prize include Son Hyun Joo at the first ceremony, followed by Song Hye Kyo, Zo In Sung, Kim Soo Hyun, Song Joong Ki, Lee Byung Hun, Hyun Bin, Song Joong Ki again, and Lee Jun Ho. Most recently, at the 10th Seoulcon APAN Star Awards held last year, the top honor was awarded to Kim Tae Ri.
2025 Seoulcon APAN Star Awards Schedule
The 2025 APAN Star Awards will be held today, December 29, 2025, at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall 1 in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Veteran actor Kim Seung Woo and actress Park Sun Young will serve as MCs for the evening. Fans around the globe will be able to watch the red carpet appearances and acceptance speeches live.
2025 APAN Star Awards Nominees
Fans are calling the 2025 edition the most competitive APAN ceremonies to date. Unveiled on December 1, Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines leads the pack with an impressive ten nominations, including Drama of the Year, Best Director (Kim Won Seok), Best Screenwriter (Lim Sang Choon), and Top Excellence Awards for leads Park Bo Gum and IU.
tvN-Netflix collaboration Our Unwritten Seoul earned seven nominations, including Drama of the Year and Top Excellence Actress for Park Bo-young. Other major Drama of the Year nominees include Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, The Tale of Lady Ok, and Netflix’s You and Everything Else.
Drama of the Year
- Our Unwritten Seoul
- The Tale of Lady Ok
- You and Everything Else
- Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
- When Life Gives You Tangerines
Best Director
- Kim Won Seok (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- Park Shin Woo (Our Unwritten Seoul)
- Lee Do Yoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
- Jang Tae Yoo (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty)
- Jo Young Min (You and Everything Else)
Best Screenwriter
- Park Ji Sook (The Tale of Lady Ok)
- Song Hye Jin (You and Everything Else)
- Lee Kang (Our Unwritten Seoul)
- Lim Sang Choon (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- Jang Hyun Sook (Typhoon Family)
Best Couple Award
- YoonA, Lee Chae Min (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty)
- Lee Hyeri, Chung Su Bin (Friendly Rivalry)
- Bae Suzy, Kim Woo Bin (Genie, Make a Wish)
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries
- Kim Nam Gil (Trigger, The Fiery Priest)
- Park Bo Gum – Good Boy, When Life Gives You Tangerines
- Park Hyung Sik (Buried Hearts)
- Lee Jun Ho (Typhoon Family)
- Ju Ji Hoon (Love Your Enemy, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries
- Kim Go Eun (You and Everything Else)
- Park Bo-young (Our Unwritten Seoul)
- IU (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- YoonA (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty)
- Cha Joo-young (The Queen Who Crowns)
Best New Actor
- Kang You Seok (When Life Gives You Tangerines, Resident Playbook)
- Kim Min Kyu (Bitch x Rich 2, Love, Take Two)
- Kim Yo Han (The Winning Try)
- Ryeoun (Weak Hero Class 2, Namib
- Lee Chae Min (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, Crushology 101)
Best New Actress
- Bang Hyo Rin (Aema)
- Shin Si Ah (Resident Playbook)
- Yoon Seo Ah (The Tale of Lady Ok, Bon Appétit, Your Majesty)
- Ha Young (Face Me, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
- Hong Hwa Yeon (Tastefully Yours, Buried Hearts, I Am a Running Mate)
How to Watch Live
Viewers will be able to watch this year’s APAN Star Awards on tvN as well as through the streaming service TVING. According to announcements posted on the awards’ official social media channels, celebrities will walk the red carpet from 6:00 p.m. KST, and the main ceremony will begin an hour later at 7:00 p.m. KST.
