KBS's historical romance series "The King's Affection" (2021) won Best Telenovela at the International Emmy Awards held on Monday night in New York City.

It is the first Korean series to win an award in the 49-year-history of International Emmy Awards.

The series was nominated for the award alongside Brazil’s "Nos Tempos Do Imperador" (2021), Spain’s "Two Lives" (2021) and China’s "You Are My Hero" (2021).

Lee Kun-joon, head of the KBS Drama Center, expressed his pride and happiness about the series recent achievement, in a Tuesday press release by KBS.

"I am very happy that 'The King's Affection' won the International Emmy Award for the first time as a Korean drama. It is a great achievement that I feel recognizes the potential of all Korean dramas. We feel a great sense of responsibility because it is a time when many K-dramas are loved all around the world. We will do our best so that KBS dramas can play a major role in maintaining the potential and power of K-content."

"The King's Affection," set during the reign of a fictional king, tells the story of a princess who dresses as a man, portrayed by actor Park Eun-bin, in order to become the crown prince and succeed the throne.

Actor Lee Sun-kyun was nominated for the Best Actor award for his performance in Apple TV+'s sci-fi thriller "Dr. Brain," but did not win.

Actor Song Joong-ki appeared at the awards ceremony to present the International Emmy Directorate Award to Miky Lee, vice chairwoman of CJ Group.

Hosted each year by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the International Emmy Awards are granted to television programs originally produced and aired outside of the United States, while the well-known Primetime Emmy Awards are given to American primetime television programs.





BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]