Actor Seo Kang Joon took home the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2025 MBC Drama Awards.
Seo Kang Joon was announced as the top winner during the ceremony held on the afternoon of December 30 at the MBC Media Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. He was recognized for his performance in 'Undercover High School,' which wrapped up in March and recorded a peak viewership rating of 8.3 percent, according to Nielsen Korea.
As Seo Kang Joon stepped onto the stage, fellow actor Kang Tae Oh, who previously promoted with him as part of the actor group Surprise, embraced him in celebration. Holding the trophy, Seo Kang Joon admitted, “Rather than feeling happy, I’m more taken aback. I’m truly shocked.”
He continued, “This drama was my first project after being discharged from the military. I missed being on set so much. After more than 10 years of acting, I kept telling myself to be grateful, but honestly, I sometimes forgot that. Spending what felt like an eternity in the military made me miss this place deeply. Receiving such a heavy award through 'Undercover High School' feels both overwhelming and surprising.”
Seo Kang Joon also spoke candidly about his insecurities as an actor. “I often think that I could be replaced at any time. I try to act while thinking deeply, but when I look around, there are so many people who work harder than I do and so many truly outstanding actors. I wonder why I’m standing here, why I’m holding this award, and why I get to occupy a place on set. I can only think that I was lucky,” he said. “No one knows how long I’ll be able to do this job, but until the day it ends, I don’t want to be replaceable. That’s why I will continue to study, reflect, and act with greater sincerity.”
'Undercover High School' also won Drama of the Year, while cast members Jin Ki Joo (Top Excellence Award) and Kim Shin Rok (Supporting Actor Award) were among those who took home trophies. The Drama of the Year award was presented by IU and Byeon Woo Seok, the leads of the upcoming series 'Perfect Crown,' set to air in the first half of next year.
The late Lee Soon Jae, who passed away last month, was posthumously honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his work in 38 MBC productions. A tribute video highlighted his memorable performances, including his role as Yoo Ui Tae, Heo Jun’s mentor, in Heo Jun, as well as the sitcom 'High Kick!.' Accepting the award on his behalf, agency CEO Lee Seung Hee said, “At the end, he could no longer see with his eyes or hear with his ears, but he said he did not want to cause harm to fellow actors or staff. That was the kind of person he was.” She added, “There is something he could not say himself—he loved you all.” At her request, the actors in attendance collectively shouted, “Teacher, we love you,” creating an emotional moment.
In the miniseries category, Kim Se Jeong and Kang Tae Oh won Top Excellence Awards for 'Moon River,' and also claimed the Best Couple Award. Their co-star Jin Goo received the Best Character Award, while Kim Nam Hee won the Supporting Actor Award.
The Rookie of the Year Award, which actors can only receive once in their lifetime, went to four recipients: Jo Aram (To the Moon), Hong Soo Joo (Moon River), Lee Chae Min (Crushology 101), and Lee Shin Young (Moon River).
The ceremony was hosted by broadcaster Kim Sung Joo and actress Lee Sun Bin.
Full List of Winners:
Grand Prize (Daesang): Seo Kang Joon
Drama of the Year: Undercover High School
Top Excellence Award (Miniseries): Kang Tae Oh, Kim Sejeong, Jin Ki Joo
Top Excellence Award (Daily/One Act): Song Chang Eui, Jang Shin Young
Best Actor Award: Jung Kyung Ho, Lee Se Young
Lifetime Achievement Award: Late Lee Soon Jae (accepted by agency CEO Lee Seung Hee)
Best Character Award: Jin Goo
Best Couple Award: Kang Tae Oh & Kim Sejeong
Excellence Award (Miniseries): Na In Woo, Lee Sun Bin
Excellence Award (Daily/One Act): Oh Chang Seok, Yoon Ah Jung
Supporting Actor Award: Kim Nam Hee, Kim Shin Rok
Rookie of the Year Award: Lee Chae Min, Lee Shin Young, Jo Aram, Hong Soo Joo
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