On December 29, the 11th APAN Star Awards (2025 SeoulCon APAN Star Awards) were held at Hall 1 of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul. Hosted by actor Kim Seung Woo and broadcaster Park Sun Young, the ceremony is Korea’s only integrated drama awards show recognizing productions across terrestrial networks, cable channels, OTT platforms, and web dramas.
IU emerged as the night’s top winner, earning the Daesang for her role in Netflix’s original series When Life Gives You Tangerines, which premiered in March. In the drama, she delivered a powerful dual performance as Oh Ae Soon and her daughter Yang Geum Myung—portrayals that moved audiences to tears and earned widespread critical acclaim.
Thanks to IU’s performance, When Life Gives You Tangerines dominated online buzz throughout the year. The series ranked No.1 in drama-related “Search Terms of the Year” on multiple portals and was the only Korean drama selected for IMDb’s Best TV Series of 2025. It also led nominations at major ceremonies including the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Series Awards, while sweeping 11 trophies at the 2025 Asia Artist Awards.
IU herself previously won Actor of the Year (Daesang) at the Asia Artist Awards, and her latest win at the APAN Star Awards further solidified her standing as one of Korea’s most respected multi-hyphenate artists.
Accepting the trophy, IU was visibly emotional. “When Life Gives You Tangerines is a series that would already be a lifelong badge of honor for me just to have participated in,” she said through tears. “I sincerely thank writer Lim Sang Choon for gifting me not one, but two unforgettable characters—Oh Ae Soon and Yang Geum Myung.”
She went on to express deep gratitude to director Kim Won Seok, saying, “Your perfectionism and high standards were sometimes difficult for me, but without your loving and precise gaze, I know I would have wandered and regretted many more days on set. I respect you deeply.”
IU also thanked her fellow cast members, including Kim Yong Rim, Na Moon Hee, Moon So Ri, Park Hae Joon, Park Bo Gum, and Kang You Seok.
“Standing in the same frame as such incredible actors was both thrilling and frightening,” she admitted. “There were moments when I worried my shortcomings would show too clearly, but I now realize that their brilliance gently covered my flaws. I’m endlessly grateful.”
She extended her appreciation to the production crew, promising that if she were to meet them again on another project, she would “create an even happier and more joyful filming set.”
Turning to viewers, IU reflected on the message of the drama.
“I believe When Life Gives You Tangerines is a story about people who continue living sincerely, one day at a time,” she said. “Even when something deeply sad happens, they still have to prepare for tomorrow, eat their meals, and find ways to love life.”
She concluded her speech with a poetic blessing that resonated deeply with audiences.
“To everyone who sent understanding, empathy, and support to these lives—may a dazzling reward, like the canola flower fields Ae Soon and Gwan Sik once walked through, be waiting at the next turn in your own lives.”
Meanwhile, IU is currently filming her next project, MBC’s upcoming drama 21st Century Grand Prince’s Wife, co-starring Byun Woo Seok. Set in a constitutional monarchy version of modern-day Korea, the romance drama is scheduled to premiere in April next year.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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