The biggest night for Korean streaming dramas is almost here.
On July 31, the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards will celebrate the best Korean original series and variety shows released across streaming platforms over the past year. From blockbuster Netflix productions to Disney+, TVING, Coupang Play, and other OTT originals, the awards have quickly become one of the industry's most prestigious honors.
The awards recognize content released during a 12-month eligibility period, from June 1 of the previous year through May 31 of the current year.
What are the Blue Dragon Series Awards?
The Blue Dragon Series Awards were created in 2022 by Sports Chosun, the same organization behind the historic Blue Dragon Film Awards. Unlike the Baeksang Arts Awards, which recognize excellence across film, television, theater, and streaming productions, the Blue Dragon Series Awards focus exclusively on original streaming content, including both dramas and variety shows. Winners are selected through a highly structured combination of online public voting, strict evaluation by veteran entertainment journalists and expert jury, and extensive surveys of industry experts.
Winning a Blue Dragon Series Award has become one of the highest honors for actors, directors and creators working in Korea's rapidly growing streaming industry. As Korean content continues reaching global audiences, these awards recognize many of the series international fans are watching on Netflix, Disney+, TVING, and other streaming platforms.
| Baeksang Arts Awards | Blue Dragon Series Awards | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1965 | 2022 |
| Focus | Film, television and theater | Streaming (OTT) series & variety shows only |
| Eligible TV Shows | Broadcast TV + cable + streaming | Streaming originals only |
| Organizer | IS PLUS | Sports Chosun |
Primary Recognition | Often considered Korea's equivalent of the Golden Globes in format and the Oscars in prestige. | Highly prestigious; the premium standard for streaming. |
Voter Base | Elite panel of 60 industry experts, critics, and professors. | Multi-stage blend of industry experts, journalists, and public voting. |
Let's take a look at this year's final nominees in each category.
Drama Category:
Grand Prize (Daesang) Nominees
The Grand Prize, or Daesang, is the highest honor presented at the Blue Dragon Series Awards. Unlike category awards recognizing individual performances, the Daesang honors the most outstanding achievement of the year and is considered the ceremony's top prize.
Made in Korea
A tense period political drama set in 1970s Korea and Japan, following an elite intelligence agent and a justice-driven prosecutor locked in a dangerous game of power, betrayal, and psychological warfare. Stars Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung. (Watch on Disney+)
Yumi's Cells Season 3
Yumi returns as a successful web novelist whose “love cells” begin to wake up again when she meets Soon-rok, her quiet and thoughtful new editor. The final season continues the series’ signature mix of romance, humor, and emotional growth. (Watch on Viki)
You and Everything Else
A moving drama about two women whose friendship is shaped by warmth, jealousy, separation, and reunion from their teenage years into adulthood. When one is facing her final days, the other is asked to stay by her side, forcing them both to confront the complicated history between them. (Watch on Netflix)
The Legend of Kitchen Soldier
A fantasy military comedy about Kang Seong-jae, a young soldier assigned to kitchen duty who unexpectedly begins receiving mysterious “missions” that help him become a legendary cook. Based on a Naver webtoon, the series blends military life, food, comedy, and a touch of mystery. (Watch on HBO Max and Viki)
The Scarecrow
A crime thriller following a retired criminal profiler drawn back into a serial killer investigation connected to a cold case. The drama pairs him with an unlikely partner as they search for the truth behind the murders. (Watch on Viki)
Best Actor Nominees
- Kim Seon-ho (Can This Love Be Translated?)
- Kim Woo-bin (Genie, Make a Wish)
- Park Ji-hoon (The Legend of Kitchen Soldier)
- Park Hae-soo (The Scarecrow)
- Hyun Bin (Made in Korea)
Best Actress Nominees
- Go Youn-jung (Can This Love Be Translated?)
- Kim Go-eun (You and Everything Else)
- Park Bo-young (Gold Land)
- Park Ji-hyun (You and Everything Else)
- Shin Hae Sun (The Art of Sarah)
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
- Yoon Kyung-ho (The Legend of Kitchen Soldier)
- Lee Kwang-soo (Gold Land)
- Lee Sang-i (The Legend of Kitchen Soldier)
- Jung Moon-sung (The Scarecrow)
- Jin Sun-kyu (Aema)
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
- Kwak Sun-young (The Scarecrow)
- Moon Jeong-hee (Gold Land)
- Park Bo-kyung (The Art of Sarah)
- Seo Eun-soo (Made in Korea)
- Im Soo-jung (Low Life)
Best New Actor Nominees
- Kim Jae-won (Yumi’s Cells Season 3)
- Kim Jin-wook (Low Life)
- Baek Seon-ho (If Wishes Could Kill)
- Song Geon-hee (The Scarecrow)
- Lee Hong-nae (The Legend of Kitchen Soldier)
Best New Actress Nominees
- Kim Min (Low Life)
- Bang Hyo-rin (Aema)
- Seo Ji-hye (The Scarecrow)
- Arin (S-Line)
- Jeon So-young (If Wishes Could Kill)
Variety Category
Grand Prize (Daesang) Nominees
- Screwballs
- Better Late Than Single
- Jae-seok’s B&B Rules!
- The White Collars
- Culinary Class Wars 2
Best Male Entertainer Nominees
- Kim Won-hun (SNL Korea 8)
- Shin Dong-yup (SNL Korea 8)
- Yoo Jae-seok (Jae Seok’s B&B Rules!)
- Lee Kwang-soo (Jae Seok’s B&B Rules!)
- Joo Woo-jae (Screwballs 4)
Best Female Entertainer Nominees
- Kim Sook (Screwballs 4)
- Lee Soo-ji (SNL Korea 8)
- Lee Eun-ji (Better Late Than Single)
- Jung Yi-rang (Dabang Sisters)
- Ji Ye-eun (Jae Seok’s B&B Rules!)
Best New Male Entertainer Nominees
- Kim Kyu-won (SNL Korea 8)
- Kim Seon-ho (Bonjour Bakery)
- Byeon Woo-seok (Jae Seok’s B&B Rules!)
- Car, the Garden (Better Late Than Single)
- Hu Deok-juk (Culinary Class Wars 2)
Best New Female Entertainer Nominees
- Kim Sihyeon (Culinary Class Wars 2)
- Kim Ye-won (EXchange 4)
- Shim Ja-yoon (The White Collars 2)
- Ahn Joo-mi (SNL Korea 8)
- Choi Mina-sue (Single’s Inferno 5)
Pre-Event
The annual handprinting ceremony brought plenty of lighthearted and memorable moments for the winners of the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards edition. The ceremony, which took place on July 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. KST at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul, serves as a prelude to the main awards show.
Last year's drama category award winners were in attendance including IU (Best Actress, When Life Gives You Tangerines), Ju Ji-hoon (Best Actor, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call) as well as Lee Kwang-soo, Yeom Hye-ran, Choo Young-woo and Kim Min-ha.
The ceremony gives each year's winners a chance to commemorate their achievements by leaving their handprints before passing the spotlight to this year's nominees. According to The Choseun Daily, the many "adorable confessions about meticulous hand care for the handprinting stole the spotlight."
IU places her handprint during the 2026 Blue Dragon Series Awards handprinting ceremony, held July 7 at CGV Yongsan in Seoul. Last year's winners traditionally return to leave their handprints ahead of the new awards ceremony. Courtesy of Heo Sang-wook/2026.07.07
Where to watch
The 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards will be broadcast live on the KBS2 television network.
The ceremony takes place on July 31, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. KST at Paradise City in Incheon. An international streaming platform has not been announced as of the time of this article. International streaming details are often announced closer to the ceremony, so fans outside Korea should watch the Blue Dragon Series Awards' official social media channels for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Blue Dragon Series Awards
Q. What is the difference between the Blue Dragon Series Awards and the Baeksang Arts Awards?
A. While both are among South Korea's most respected entertainment awards, they recognize different types of productions.
| Blue Dragon Series Awards | Baeksang Arts Awards |
|---|---|
| Streaming (OTT) dramas and variety shows only | Film, television, theater, and streaming productions |
| Established in 2022 | Established in 1965 |
| Focuses on original streaming content | Recognizes the Korean entertainment industry as a whole |
A quick way to remember the difference:
- Baeksang Arts Awards celebrate the best across the entire Korean entertainment industry.
- Blue Dragon Series Awards focus specifically on the rapidly growing world of streaming originals.
Q. What are the Blue Dragon Series Awards?
A. The Blue Dragon Series Awards are one of South Korea's most prestigious entertainment awards for original streaming (OTT) content. Launched in 2022 by Sports Chosun, they recognize excellence in Korean dramas and variety shows released on platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, TVING, Coupang Play, Wavve, and U+ Mobile TV.
Q. When are the 2026 Blue Dragon Series Awards?
A. The 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards will be held on July 31, 2026, celebrating the best Korean streaming series and performances released during the eligibility period from June 1 of the previous year to May 31 of the current year.
Q. Which streaming services are eligible?
A. Series released as original productions on eligible Korean streaming platforms can be nominated. Recent nominees have come from services including Netflix, Disney+, TVING, Coupang Play, Wavve, and U+ Mobile TV.
Q. Are international viewers able to watch the ceremony?
A. International streaming availability varies each year. While some ceremonies have been available through official livestreams or partner platforms, viewing details are typically announced closer to the event.
Q. Why do the Blue Dragon Series Awards matter?
A. Streaming platforms have transformed Korean entertainment over the past several years, producing many of today's biggest K-dramas. The Blue Dragon Series Awards recognize the actors, writers, directors, and productions helping shape this new era of Korean storytelling.
Q. What is the highest honor at the Blue Dragon Series Awards?
A. The Grand Prize (Daesang) is the ceremony's highest honor. It recognizes the most outstanding achievement of the year and is considered one of the most prestigious awards presented during the event.
Looking Ahead
The winners of the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards will be announced on July 31, 2026. Whether you're cheering for a favorite actor, discovering your next drama to add to your watchlist, or simply following the latest in Korean entertainment, this year's nominees showcase the incredible range of storytelling coming from Korea's streaming platforms.
We'll be covering the winners, memorable moments, and biggest surprises from the ceremony here on Korean Drama Insider, so be sure to check back after the awards.
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