2024 KBS Drama Awards aired on the afternoon of January 11, hosted by Jang Sung-kyu, Seohyun, and Moon Sang-min. Originally scheduled to be broadcast live on December 31, the awards show was delayed and replaced with a taped broadcast due to the national mourning period following the tragic accident involving a Jeju Air flight at Muan Airport.
Given the circumstances, the atmosphere was somber. Attendees dressed in mostly black, and many winners dedicated their acceptance speeches to honor the victims of the disaster.
Other tributes were also made personally by the awardees. Ham Eun-jung, who won the Best Actress award in the daily drama category, mentioned her late mother, who passed away a month ago. She tearfully recalled how her mother had always monitored the works she appeared in.
Ham Eun-jung expressed gratitude for the viewers who had shared her joy and sorrow, promising to continue delivering thoughtful performances.
Shin Hyun-joon, who won the Best Actor award for a long-form drama, also remembered actress Kim Soo-mi, who passed away in October 2023. He shared his emotional memories of shooting “Iron Family” while mourning her death, expressing his hope that she would be happy in the afterlife.
The tears didn’t stop there. Lee Soon-jae, who won the Best Actor award at the age of 89, became emotional while reflecting on his experiences. Lee Soon-jae, who has been mentoring students as a chair professor at Gachon University for 13 years, mentioned how the filming of “Dog Knows Everything” made it difficult to balance his time with his students. His heartfelt words about his students brought tears to the eyes of his junior actors, including Yoon Da-hoon and Ham Eun-jung.
At the end of the ceremony, a tribute video was shown to honor the actors who passed away in 2024, including Nam Goong-won, Oh Hyun-kyung, Nam Il-woo, Kwon Sung-duck, Kim Dong-soo, Kim Soo-mi, Park Ji-a, and Song Jae-rim.
One of the most notable moments was Kim Jung-hyun’s apology after seven years. Kim Jung-hyun, who starred in the 2018 MBC drama “Time,” had caused a stir at the press conference by refusing to pose with co-star Seohyun and acting aloof during intimate scenes. His controversial behavior led to speculation about his relationship with actress Seo Ye-ji, which further fueled the scandal.
Although the ceremony lacked a lively atmosphere, a few humorous moments lightened the mood. Actor Kim Myung-soo unintentionally brought laughter when the camera caught him staring blankly as actress Lee Young-ae presented the Popularity Award. He awkwardly smiled, which slightly eased the otherwise serious atmosphere.
Shin Hyun-joon’s witty acceptance speech also drew laughter. He jokingly thanked all the nutritional supplements, health products, and cosmetics that had helped him through tough times in his acting career, lightening the mood further.
Winners Of The 2024 KBS Drama Awards
Grand Prize (Daesang): Lee Soon-jae for (Dog Knows Everything)
Top Excellence Award:
Actor: Ji Hyun-woo (Beauty and Mr.Romantic), Kim Jung-hyun (Iron Family)
Actress: Park Ji-young (Iron Family), Im Soo-hyang (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)Excellence Award:
Actor in a Miniseries: Park Ji-hoon (Love Song for Illusion)
Actress in a Miniseries: Yeon-woo (Dog Knows Everything), Han Ji-hyun (Face Me)
Actor in a Serial Drama: Shin Hyun-joon (Iron Family)
Actress in a Serial Drama: Keum Sae-rok (Iron Family)
Actor in a Daily Drama: Baek Sung-hyun (Suji & Uri), Oh Chang-seok (The Two Sisters)
Actress in a Daily Drama: Park Ha-na (My Merry Marriage), Hahm Eun-jung (Suji & Uri)Best Couple Award:
Ji Hyun-woo & Lim Soo-hyang (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)
Kim Jung-hyun & Keum Sae-rok (Iron Family)
Baek Seong-hyun & Ham Eun-jung (Suji & Uri)
Park Ji-young, Shin Hyun-joon, and Kim Hye-eun (Iron Family)
Lee Soon-jae, Ari (Sophie), and Yeon-woo (Dog Knows Everything)Best Actor/Actress in Drama Special/TV Cinema: Nam Da-reum (The History of Us), Oh Ye-ju (To My Lonely Sister)
Popularity Award:
Actor: Kim Myung-soo (Dare to Love Me)
Actress: Keum Sae-rok (Iron Family)Best Supporting Actor: Choi Tae-joon (Iron Family), Kim Yong-geon (Dog Knows Everything)
Best Supporting Actress: Yoon Yoo-sun (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)Scriptwriter Award: Seo Sook-hyang (Iron Family)
Best New Actor: Seo Beom-jun (Nothing Uncovered), Park Sang-nam (My Merry Marriage)
Best New Actress: Hong Ye-ji (Love Song for Illusion), Han Su-a (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)Best Young Actor: Moon Sung-hyun (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)
Best Young Actress: Lee Seol-a (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)