Complete List of Daesang Winners at SBS Drama Awards Over the Past 11 Years

SBS stands as one of South Korea’s leading national broadcasting networks, renowned for its continued production of high-caliber TV dramas over the last decade. Consequently, the SBS Drama Awards, particularly the esteemed Grand Prize – Daesang, are regarded as the pinnacle of recognition among Korea’s major broadcasting stations. This article provides an overview of all Daesang winners from the SBS Drama Awards spanning from 2012 to 2023.

2012: Son Hyun Joo – The Chaser

Despite minimal promotion and the absence of a star-studded cast, The Chaser emerged as one of SBS‘s most successful dramas in 2012, achieving peak ratings of 25.1%. The series is crafted in a procedural format, solving individual issues within each episode. It captivates audiences with its coherent narrative, compelling script, and exceptional performances.

The standout performance of Son Hyun Joo undoubtedly contributed to his accolade as the Daesang winner at the 2012 SBS Drama Awards. Notably, he also secured two additional Daesangs that year at the K Drama Star Awards and the Baeksang Arts Awards.

2013: Lee Bo Young – I Hear Your Voice

Lee Bo Young transformed her career from a beauty queen embroiled in early controversies to a celebrated actress recognized with a Daesang at prominent drama awards. She is only the second former Miss Korea to receive a TV Daesang, following Go Hyun Jung.

Her portrayal in I Hear Your Voice has become iconic, further underscored by her win at the 2013 Korea Drama Awards and the Leading Actress award at the 2014 Baeksang Arts Awards.

2014: Jun Ji Hyun – My Love From The Star

With record-breaking ratings of 28.1% and immense international popularity, My Love From The Star was a frontrunner in all major categories at the 2014 SBS Drama Awards. Jun Ji Hyun‘s Daesang win that year is viewed as one of the most credible triumphs in the award’s history.

This significant role marked her return to drama, solidifying her impact on television; she later took home the Daesang for TV at the 2014 Baeksang Arts Awards.

2015: Joo Won – Yong Pal

Following Moon Geun Young‘s Daesang win in Painter of the Wind seven years prior, Joo Won made history as the second actor under 30 to claim a Daesang at the SBS Drama Awards in 2015. At just 28, his incredible portrayal in Yong Pal earned him this prestigious award.

Yong Pal marked Joo Won’s second medical drama in three years, yet his performance was distinctively different from his earlier work in Good Doctor. He also received a nomination for Leading Actor in TV at the 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards.

2016: Han Suk Kyu – Dr. Romantic

Han Suk Kyu showcased his remarkable acting prowess yet again, winning the Daesang for Dr. Romantic after previously claiming the same honor in 2011 for Deep Rooted Tree. His adept portrayal significantly contributed to the drama’s success.

Han Suk Kyu was also nominated for the Daesang at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards for his role in season 2 of this beloved series. With the anticipation of a third season in 2022, he remains a strong contender for future awards.

2017: Ji Sung – The Accused

Ji Sung is now only lacking a Daesang at the KBS Drama Awards to achieve the trifecta of major award wins. His performance in Defendant may not eclipse his role in Kill Me Heal Me, yet it remains commendable and demonstrates his undeniable talent.

Over the past decade, both Ji Sung and his spouse, Lee Bo Young, have garnered two Daesang awards from the SBS Drama Awards, a rare feat for any couple in the industry.

2018: Kam Woo Sung & Kim Sun Ah – Should We Kiss First?

Although Should We Kiss First? didn’t match the ratings of other Daesang-winning dramas, Kam Woo Sung and Kim Sun Ah were deserving winners, showcasing impeccable acting talent.

Viewers could deeply resonate with the emotions portrayed in the romantic journey of the middle-aged protagonists, attributed to the veteran actors’ masterful performances.

2019: Kim Nam Gil – The Fiery Priest

All primary cast members of The Fiery Priest were worthy contenders for the Grand Prize in 2019, yet Kim Nam Gil stood out with his humorous delivery. The series achieved a peak rating of 22%, making it the most successful mini-series across the three main broadcasting stations that year.

Despite not winning the Best Actor Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Kim Nam Gil received multiple accolades from various prestigious events, including the Busan International Film Festival, Korean Broadcasters Association Awards, and Seoul International Drama Awards.

2020: Namgoong Min – Stove League

In a competitive field featuring stars like Kim Hye Soo and Joo Won, Namgoong Min won the Daesang for his performance in Stove League. While the drama didn’t gain widespread international attention, it was exceptionally well-received in South Korea.

2021: Kim So Yeon – Penthouse 2, 3

Kim So Yeon capped a stellar 2021 by being awarded the Grand Prize – Daesang at the SBS Drama Awards for her roles in seasons 2 and 3 of Penthouse. After a close loss to Namgoong Min in 2020, she emerged victorious in 2021, marking her first Daesang win.

Earlier that year, Kim So Yeon also garnered the Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for her character, Cheon Seo Jin in this blockbuster series, solidifying her status as Korea’s top TV star of 2021.

2022: Kim Nam-gil – Through The Darkness

For fans of crime thrillers, Through The Darkness is a must-see. Starring Kim Nam Gil as Song Ha Young, a criminal behavioral analyst, the show adeptly traverses the complexities of crime investigations through his character’s exceptional analytical skills.

His character is entrenched in tension-filled scenarios, where he employs wit and bravery to solve intricate cases. Kim Nam Gil’s Daesang win for this role underscores his remarkable acting dexterity, coupled with expressive, captivating eyes that convey profound emotions even in silence.

2023: Lee Je-hoon – Taxi Driver 2

In the lead role of Do Ki, Lee Je Hoon fully embodies the essence of the series. His performances have seen continuous improvement since his early breakout role in Architecture 101 (2012). In Season 1, he received the Best Actor award in the “Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama” category at the 2021 SBS Drama Awards.

Throughout Season 2, Lee Je Hoon adeptly alters his portrayal according to each mission’s requirements, switching between personas with remarkable ease—from a clever student to a somewhat naive farmer, complete with humorous interactions.

However, when facing off against criminals, he reveals the true hero within Do Ki, exuding charisma and poise.

2023: Kim Tae-ri – Revenant

At just 32, the “goddess with a baby face,”Kim Tae Ri, captivated audiences in Twenty-Five, Twenty-One and continues to do so in Revenant, showcasing her versatile acting abilities. Here, she performs dual roles, portraying a delicate, vulnerable character who becomes possessed by a malevolent spirit.

In Revenant, Kim Tae Ri’s character, Goo San Young, initially aims for a tranquil life but finds herself transformed by supernatural forces into a more sinister being. This duality necessitates a performance that balances innocence and wickedness, achieved through her sophisticated expressions and body language.

Her portrayal as a demonic spirit is strikingly effective, relying heavily on her nuanced performance rather than special effects, beautifully embodied through piercing gazes and subtle, foreboding smiles.

Source & Images