The 2025 APAN Star Awards honoured the finest achievements in Korean television, recognising standout performances, memorable dramas, and creators who defined the year. From critically acclaimed Netflix series to fan-favourite stars, the ceremony showcased the diversity and global reach of K-dramas today.
There were several standout victories that defined the year in Korean television. IU emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home the Grand Prize (Daesang) for her performance in When Life Gives You Tangerines. The drama series also dominated the ceremony by winning Drama of the Year. Director Kim Won Seok was recognised for his masterful storytelling with the Best Director award for the same series that turned out to be the most celebrated show of the year.
In acting categories, Lee Jun Ho continued his strong run by winning the Top Excellence Award for Typhoon Family and also securing both the Popularity Star Award and Global Star Award. Cha Joo Young earned critical praise with her Top Excellence Award for The Queen Who Crowns, while rising stars were acknowledged with Best New Actor honours for Lee Chae Min and Kang You Seok, and Best New Actress for Ha Young.
Check out the complete list of winners below:
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
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries: Lee Jun Ho – Typhoon Family
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries: Cha Joo Young – The Queen Who Crowns
Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries: Lee Jun Young
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries: Shin Ye Eun
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama: Son Chang Min
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama: Park Ha Na
Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama: Kim Dong Wan
Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama: Park Eun Hye
Excellence Award, Actor in a Short Drama or Web Drama: Park Sung Woong
Excellence Award, Actress in a Short Drama or 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 Rivarly
Popularity Star Award, Actor: Lee Jun Ho
Popularity Star Award, Actress: Kim Hye Yoon
Global Star Award: Lee Jun Ho
Best Entertainer Award: Cha Eunwoo
Best Original Soundtrack: Lim Young Woong – Heavenly Ever After
Asia Star Award: Jin Young, Chung Su Bin
From IU’s Daesang win to When Life Gives You Tangerines dominating major categories, the 2025 APAN Star Awards underlined a year where strong storytelling, nuanced performances, and global fandoms shaped Korean television’s continued rise.
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