The 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards celebrated the best in Korean streaming content on July 18, 2025, at the Paradise Resort in Incheon. The event, organized by Sports Chosun, recognized outstanding performances in K-Dramas and variety shows released between June 2024 and May 2025. Big winners included IU, Ju Ji-hoon, and the medical drama The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, which took home multiple awards.
Major Winners at the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards
The awards highlighted both established and rising stars in the Korean entertainment industry. IU won Best Actress for her dual role in When Life Gives You Tangerines, while Ju Ji-hoon secured Best Actor for his charismatic performance in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. The medical drama also claimed the Best Drama award, cementing its success.
Other notable winners included:
- Choo Young-woo (Best New Actor โ The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
- Kim Min-ha (Best New Actress โ Way Back Love)
- Lee Kwang-soo (Best Supporting Actor โ Karma)
- Yeom Hye-ran (Best Supporting Actress โ When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- Culinary Class War (Best Variety Show)
The Grand Prize (Daesang) went to When Life Gives You Tangerines, a Netflix drama praised for its emotional storytelling.
IUโs Big Win and Emotional Speech
IU, who played dual roles as a mother and daughter in When Life Gives You Tangerines, delivered a heartfelt speech after winning Best Actress.
“Iโm so grateful to the team and the fans who supported this project. Playing two characters was challenging, but it helped me grow as an actress.”
This marks another milestone in IUโs acting career, following her previous nominations for My Mister and Hotel Del Luna.
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call Dominates
Netflixโs The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call was one of the nightโs biggest winners, taking home Best Drama, Best Actor (Ju Ji-hoon), and Best New Actor (Choo Young-woo). The medical series, based on a popular webtoon, follows a genius trauma surgeon (Ju Ji-hoon) leading a struggling hospital team.
“This drama was special because it combined intense medical action with deep character growth,” said Ju Ji-hoon during his acceptance speech.
Rising Stars and Fan Favorites
The Upbeat Popularity Award went to Park Bo-gum, Hyeri, Lee Jun-hyuk, and IU, reflecting their strong fan support. Meanwhile, TXTโs Yeonjun won the OST Popularity Award for his song “Boyfriend” from Cinderella at 2 AM.
Newcomers also shined, with Choo Young-woo and Kim Min-ha winning Best New Actor and Actress, respectively.
Behind the Scenes of the Winning Shows
When Life Gives You Tangerines, the Daesang winner, is a touching drama set in Jeju, exploring family bonds and resilience. Co-star Yeom Hye-ran, who won Best Supporting Actress, shared her joy:
“Itโs amazing that both my on-screen daughters (IU and Kim Tae-yeon) were here to celebrate with me!”
Meanwhile, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call gained global popularity for its fast-paced medical scenes and strong performances. Fans praised its realistic portrayal of trauma care, inspired by real-life surgeon Lee Guk-jong.
Whatโs Next for the Winners?
With these wins, IU and Ju Ji-hoon continue to solidify their positions as top-tier actors. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call is already sparking discussions about a possible Season 2, while When Life Gives You Tangerines remains a fan favorite on Netflix.
Credits: Sports Chosun, Netflix, Official Award Announcements.
