The blurry line between drama and film stars has become more significant at the Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA) 2024, as renowned director Park Chan-wook and acclaimed actor Song Kang-ho, both iconic figures in Korean cinema, took center stage, winning the night's top honors.

SDA 2024, marking its 19th edition, was held Wednesday afternoon at KBS Hall in Yeouido, western Seoul, gathering actors and TV drama creators from all around the world. The ceremony was hosted by announcer Bae Seong-jae and actor Seor In-a.


Director Park won the Golden Bird Prize with his latest HBO series, “The Sympathizer,” which is a historical black comedy drama adapted from the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Vietnamese American author Viet Thanh Nguyen. The awards’ Golden Bird Prize is given to those who made a significant mark on the drama industry.

"The child within me has always dreamed of TV dramas,” Park said after receiving his award. “I can’t express how glad I am that the days when filmmakers only made films and broadcasters only created TV shows are long gone. Having produced two TV series myself, I believe I’ve earned the right to be called a TV person now. So, I’ll proudly accept this honorable award with a sense of confidence.”

“Nobody tells us how our drama-like lives will end, but just like how not knowing the ending makes a drama fun, let’s live our lives by savoring each and every scene of them,” the director added.

Actor Song also earned his first-ever drama award, winning the Best Actor Award of the International Competition category for his latest role in Disney+’s “Uncle Samsik.”

“I carefully did a drama series after having worked in films for a long time, and I am deeply moved, honored and overwhelmed with emotion,” Song said during his acceptance speech. "We’ve entered an era where content, whether it's drama or film, transcends borders and languages, allowing people to enjoy, communicate and connect together. In that sense, I also feel a greater sense of responsibility."

Alongside Park and Song, 24 drama figures and actors took home awards from the ceremony, while boy band Seventeen’s trio unit BSS, consisting of members Seungkwan, DK and Hoshi, received the Outstanding Korean Drama OST Award for its song in tvN’s series “Queen of Tears.”

The Grand Prize went to Brazilian drama “Justice: Misconduct,” and the Best Actress Award in the International Competition category went to 93-year-old actor Jirina Bohdalova.

Bohdalova couldn’t attend the ceremony for personal health reasons, but a video of her acceptance speech was aired, saying, “This award has given me a new appetite for life and, hopefully, for work, too.”

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon also attended the ceremony as presenters.

Additionally, girl group NMIXX and boy band ZeroBaseOne performed to celebrate the ceremony. However, singer Yoo Hwe-seung of the boy band N.Flying was also scheduled to perform, but his performance was canceled at the last minute due to a delay in the ceremony.

Ahead of the ceremony, the awards presenters and winners appeared for a purple carpet event.

SDA 2024 is also scheduled to hold a festival, dubbed “Seoul Drama Festa,” at Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho District, southern Seoul, from Sept. 26 to 27. Various events will be held, such as talk sessions with actors like Hoa Xuande from director Park’s “The Sympathizer” and Jang Na-ra. Music concerts with drama soundtrack performances will also take place.

The SDA, first launched in 2006, celebrates TV dramas and their creators from all around the world and is organized by the Korean Broadcasters Association. The event is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, KBS, MBC, SBS, EBS and CBS.

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]