The '2023 KBS Drama Awards' sparked disappointment among viewers as the awards heavily favored works released in the second half of this year, prompting questions from netizens about potential discrimination in KBS's treatment of the nominated productions.

Taking place on December 31 at the KBS Hall in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, the '2023 KBS Drama Awards' was hosted by broadcaster Jang Sung Kyu and actors Ro Woon and Seol In Ah. The drama 'Korea–Khitan War' stood out during the event, securing a total of 7 awards, including the prestigious Daesang (Grand Prize), Best Excellence Award, and Writer's Award.

While 'Korea–Khitan War' boasted the highest ratings and popularity among KBS dramas in the second half of the year, the outcomes were somewhat anticipated. 

However, concerns surfaced about the award criteria when Jang Dong Yoon from 'Oasis' received an Excellent Actor award, and Kim Dong Wook from 'My Perfect Stranger' was overlooked, raising doubts about the standards for recognition.

With 'Oasis' achieving a remarkable viewership rating of 9.7% and 'My Perfect Stranger' earning acclaim for its popularity and artistic quality, reactions such as "Jang Dong Yoon not only showcased excellent acting, but the drama also performed exceptionally well. It's perplexing why he received only an Excellence Award," "It's astonishing that Kim Dong Wook and Jin Ki Jooo were disregarded," and "Didn't Jang Dong Yoon already receive an Excellent Award for 'The Tale of Nokdu'?" emerged.

Notably, Ro Woon, who received the Rookie Award in 2021 for 'The King's Affection,' stood out by skipping the Excellent Actor award and directly claiming the Top Excellence Award for 'The Matchmakers.'

The cast of 'My Perfect Stranger,' a show with ratings and popularity comparable to 'The Matchmakers,' only received the Rookie Awards at the KBS Drama Awards. This discrepancy has sparked criticism and debates over the fairness in award distribution.

Meanwhile, veteran actor Choi Soo Jong secured his fourth Daesang award after 16 years, highlighting his sustained excellence in the industry. However, this celebration has been somewhat overshadowed by concerns that earlier shows from the year didn't receive adequate recognition. This perceived imbalance in acknowledgment has left some viewers and critics feeling that certain productions were undervalued, leaving viewers with a sense of disappointment.