SBS is one of the three biggest national broadcasting networks of Korea that have continuously released high-quality TV dramas over the past decade. Therefore, the awards at the SBS Drama Awards, especially the Grand Prize – Daesang, are always considered the most prestigious awards across three major stations. Let’s take a look at every Daesang winner of SBS Drama Awards from 2012 to 2023.
2012: Son Hyun Joo – The Chaser
Without heavy promotion or a star-studded cast, The Seeker still became one of SBS‘s most successful dramas of 2012, with the peak ratings of 25.1%. The Chaser is done in a procedural style, which means a problem is introduced, looked into and solved, all within one episode. The Chaser attracts viewers thanks to its logical flow, compelling script and top-tier acting.
Among the cast, the performance of Son Hyun Joo is unarguably the most outstanding and it came as no surprise that he became the Daesang winner at the 2012 SBS Drama Awards. In the same year, Son Hyun Joo won two other Daesangs at K Drama Star Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.
2013: Lee Bo Young – I Hear Your Voice
From a beauty queen-turned actress who stumbled into controversy during the early days of her career to being crowned a Daesang winner at a major drama awards, Lee Bo Young’s acting career saw a spectacular growth. Lee Bo Young is also the second former Miss Korea beauty pageant to win a TV Daesang after Go Hyun Jung.
Up to now, Lee Bo Young‘s role in I Hear Your Voice remains the most iconic role she has ever taken on. Like Son Hyun Joo, Lee Bo Young also bagged another Daesang at the 2013 Korea Drama Awards and also won Leading Actress in TV at the 2014 Baeksang Arts Awards.
2014: Jun Ji Hyun – My Love From The Star
With the highest rating of 28.1% and huge popularity overseas, My Love From The Star was the biggest nominee for the winner of all important categories at the 2014 SBS Drama Awards. Jun Ji Hyun getting the Deasang that year is probably one of the most convincing wins in the acting category of SBS’s year-end awards in the past 10 years.
With her legendary role in My Love From The Star, Jun Ji Hyun had a successful drama comeback that exceeded expectations. Jun Ji Hyun later won Daesang in TV at the 2014 Baeksang Arts Awards, affirming her impact on the small screen that year.
2015: Joo Won – Yong Pal
After 7 years since Moon Geun Young‘s Daesang win in Painter of the Wind, Joo Won was the second actor under the age of 30 to win Daesang at the SBS Drama Awards. In 2015, at the age of 28, Joo Won was honored to receive this prestigious award thanks to his convincing performance in Yong Pal.
Yong Pal is the second medical drama that Joo Won participated in within 3 years, but his portrayal gives off totally different vibes from Good Doctor two years earlier. Joo Won also received a nomination for Leading Actor in TV at the 2016 Baeksang Arts Awards.
2016: Han Suk Kyu – Dr. Romantic
Having won Daesang in 2011 with his role in Deep Rooted Tree, Han Suk Kyu once again showed his top-tier acting skills with another well-deserved Daesang win in 2016 with Dr. Romantic. Dr. Romantic would not have been so successful if the leading character was not played by Han Suk Kyu.
At the 2020 SBS Drama Awards, Han Suk Kyu was also one of the nominees for Daesang for his performance in season 2 of Dr. Romantic. Season 3 of this series is expected to start shooting and air in 2022, so there is a high chance Han Suk Kyu will continue to be a formidable candidate in the race for Daesang of this year’s SBS Drama Awards
2017: Ji Sung – The Accused
Ji Sung is currently only missing the Grand Prize – Daesang at the KBS Drama Awards to complete the trio of prestigious awards at 3 central stations. His role in Defendant is not really as impressive as in Kill Me Heal Me, but it is still excellent and makes the audience admire his talent.
In the past 10 years, Ji Sung and his wife – Lee Bo Young have won 2 Grand Prizes – Daesang at SBS Drama Awards. This is an interesting thing that never knows when another couple can do this.
2018: Kam Woo Sung & Kim Sun Ah – Should We Kiss First?
The rating of Should We Kiss First? was not as high as other Grand Prize-Daesang-winning dramas in the past 10 years, but Kam Woo Sung and Kim Sun Ah still deserved this award thanks to their excellent acting skills.
Audiences watching Should We Kiss First? can completely feel the emotions and feelings of middle-aged people in love thanks to the two veteran stars’ amazing acting and interaction skills.
2019: Kim Nam Gil – The Fiery Priest
To be honest, all of the main cast members of The Enthusiastic Priest deserve to win the Grand Prize – Daesang of the year 2019. In the end, the victory belonged to Kim Nam Gil with his humorous performance. With the highest rating of 22%, The Fiery Priest is the mini-series with the highest achievement of 3 central stations in 2019.
Although he did not win the Best Actor Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Kim Nam Gil also had several other individual awards at the Busan International Film Festival, Korean Broadcasters Association Awards and Seoul International Drama Awards.
2020: Namgoong Min – Stove League
Competing with a series of other stars like Kim Hye Soo, Kim So Yeon, Han Suk Kyu or Joo Won, in the end Namgoong Min and Stove League still won. It’s not a drama that caused a stir internationally, but Stove League was very popular in Korea.
2021: Kim So Yeon – Penthouse 2, 3
Kim So Yeon closed her perfect 2021 by winning the Grand Prize – Daesang at the SBS Drama Awards 2021 with seasons 2 and 3 of Penthouse. In 2020, Kim So Yeon unfortunately lost to Namgoong Min. However, in 2021, she was the most supported candidate and finally got the Grand Prize – the first Daesang in her career.
Earlier in May 2021, Kim So Yeon won the Best Actress trophy at the Baeksang Arts Awards thanks to her role as Cheon Seo Jin in this memorable blockbuster. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Kim So Yeon was No. 1 TV star in Korea last year.
2022: Kim Nam-gil – Through The Darkness
“Through The Darkness” is a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers. Song Ha Young (played by Kim Nam Gil) is a criminal behavior analyst. His character is crafted with deep analytical abilities that allow him to understand the behaviors and psychology of criminals, aiding in the investigation and resolution of complex cases.
In this role, Song Ha Young often faces tense and dangerous situations, requiring him to use his intelligence, analytical skills, and even courage to unravel challenging cases. Choosing Kim Nam Gil for this character was a brilliant decision, as his performance is a key factor in the show’s success. Awarded the Daesang for his portrayal of Song Ha Young, Kim Nam Gil truly showcases his remarkable acting talent in this series. He is known in Kbiz as one of the actors with the most expressive, “storytelling” eyes. Even in a still frame from any scene, you can feel the entire range of Song Ha Young’s emotions brought to life subtly and expertly through Kim Nam Gil’s performance.
2023: Lee Je-hoon – Taxi Driver 2
Playing the lead role of Do Ki, Lee Je Hoon truly embodies the soul of the series. The star has shown remarkable improvement in his acting since his breakout role in Architecture 101 (2012). With his versatile performance in Season 1, he won the Best Actor award in the “Miniseries Genre/Fantasy Drama” category at the 2021 SBS Drama Awards.
In Season 2, Lee Je Hoon continues to demonstrate his adaptability in each episode, matching the persona Do Ki adopts for each mission. Sometimes he transforms into a quick-witted student; other times, he’s a naïve farmer, fooling others with humorous expressions and witty lines.
But when he confronts criminals and removes his “mask,” Do Ki becomes a true hero, with a fearless face and eyes brimming with charisma.
2023: Kim Tae-ri – Revenant
The 32-year-old “goddess with a baby face,” Kim Tae Ri, has won the hearts of countless fans worldwide with her youthful portrayal of a high school student in Twenty-Five, Twenty-One. Once again, she proves her exceptional acting skills in Revenant, where she plays two roles, masterfully depicting a gentle, vulnerable girl possessed by a demonic spirit.
In Revenant, Kim Tae Ri portrays Goo San Young, a poor young woman struggling to make ends meet, whose only goal is to secure a government job and live a quiet life. However, after receiving a keepsake from her late father, a “ghost” begins to influence her, transforming her into a completely different person—cunning and malevolent. This dual role demands that Kim Tae Ri plays both an ordinary girl seeking a peaceful life and an evil spirit that grows stronger by committing murder and absorbing resentment.
Notably, when embodying the demonic spirit, the show relies solely on Kim Tae Ri’s nuanced expressions rather than special effects. Her piercing gaze, subtle movements, sinister smile, and dark aura vividly bring the character to life, highlighting her outstanding talent.
