Blue Dragon Series Awards 2026: Kim Go-eun Takes the Top Prize in an Emotional Night for Korean OTT Drama

Kim Go-eun barely made it through her acceptance speech. When her name was called for the Grand Prize at the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards on July 31, she walked to the stage looking visibly stunned, and the tears came before she could find her words.

The ceremony was held at Paradise City in Incheon, with hosts Jeon Hyun-moo and Im Yoona guiding the evening. The Blue Dragon Series Awards, now in its fifth year since launching in 2022, focuses exclusively on content released through domestic and international streaming platforms, covering dramas, variety programs, and arts programming from June 2025 through May 2026.

Kim Go-eun was recognized for her work across several OTT productions, most notably the Netflix series Eunjung and Sangyeon, as well as her continued presence in Yumi's Cells. The award acknowledged not just a single role but the range and consistency she has brought across multiple streaming titles.

Her speech was disarmingly honest. "I'm lucky enough to have worked alongside great sunbaes and learned from them," she said, her voice breaking. "I've never once thought of doing a project as something that's just given to me. Every time, I try to approach it with sincerity and a real sense of responsibility." She ended with a direct plea to the industry: "Please keep finding me, keep giving me chances. I'll keep showing you new sides of myself."

The moment felt genuine in the way award show moments rarely do, not a polished performance of gratitude, but an actor visibly moved by the recognition. Actress Park Ji-hyun, seated nearby, shared in the joy and the warmth of the exchange was noted widely by those in the room.

Best Drama went to the Tving military comedy Chwitabyeong: Legend of the Chefs, a show that has built a devoted audience on its irreverent, B-movie energy. Director Jo Nam-hyung thanked actor Park Ji-hoon and the full cast, while the series also picked up the Best Supporting Actor award for Yun Kyung-ho, who plays Park Kyung-ho in the drama. Yun joked that co-host Jeon Hyun-moo had told him backstage to hope for good news, and he genuinely thought it was a prank when his name was called.

Best Variety Program went to Netflix's Never Been in a Relationship but Want to Date, a dating show whose director Kim No-eun credited its success to the genuine sincerity of its 12 participants rather than production polish. Co-presenter Lee Eun-ji added her own note, pledging to be someone her collaborators actually want to work with, not just someone good at variety.

The lead acting prizes split across two Netflix productions. Best Actress went to Shin Hye-sun for Lady Dua, where she plays a character named Sara Kim. "Sara Kim wasn't a role I could have built alone," she said. "The director, the writer, the staff, we all built her together, which makes this award that much more meaningful." Best Actor went to Park Hae-soo for the ENA drama Scarecrow. He gave a visibly emotional speech, dedicating the award to actor Lee Hee-joon, whom he called the best performer in his heart. He also shared that his second child is due next month, "my son always seems to bring me luck," he said.

The Best Supporting Actress award produced one of the night's most touching moments. Park Bo-kyung, also from Lady Dua, turned to look at her husband, actor Jin Seon-kyu, the moment her name was read. Jin Seon-kyu burst into tears and embraced her before she even reached the stage. In her speech, Park Bo-kyung said she had always watched ceremonies like this one wondering if a moment like it would ever come for her. She also delivered the line of the night, noting that she once lost the ring her husband proposed with and they had stopped wearing matching couple items since, but now they each have a matching trophy. "Honey, today is day one," she told him.

Best New Actor went to Kim Jae-won for Yumi's Cells Season 3, who asked the audience to send strength to his grandmother, who is unwell. Best New Actress went to Jeon So-young for Giri-go, who thanked her five-person cast alongside her.

In the variety categories, Best Female Variety Performer went to Kim Sook for Driver: The Rival, who told a story about honeybees building a hive in her newly built home, a sign of good luck, she said, that apparently came true. Best Male Variety Performer went to Kim Won-hoon for SNL Korea Season 8, who joked he had been ready to write names in a Death Note if he lost, then thanked host Shin Dong-yup and the Shortbox comedy family.

Additional honors included the Global Icon with La Vie en Cosmétique Award to Go Youn-jung for Can Love Be Translated?, the OST Popularity Award to Ahn Yujin for her contribution to the Chwitabyeong soundtrack, and the Mareun5 Star Award to Go Youn-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Yoo Jae-suk, and Lee Su-ji.

Below is the full list of winners from the 5th Blue Dragon Series Awards.

Grand Prize: Kim Go-eun (Eunjung and Sangyeon)

Best Drama: Chwitabyeong: Legend of the Chefs

Best Variety Program: Never Been in a Relationship but Want to Date

Best Actress: Shin Hye-sun (Lady Dua)

Best Actor: Park Hae-soo (Scarecrow)

Best Supporting Actress: Park Bo-kyung (Lady Dua)

Best Supporting Actor: Yun Kyung-ho (Chwitabyeong: Legend of the Chefs)

Best New Actress: Jeon So-young (Giri-go)

Best New Actor: Kim Jae-won (Yumi's Cells Season 3)

Best Female Variety Performer: Kim Sook (Driver: The Rival)

Best Male Variety Performer: Kim Won-hoon (SNL Korea Season 8)

Best Female Variety Performer (Excellence): Jeong I-rang (Jamae Dabang)

Best Male Variety Performer (Excellence): Joo Woo-jae (Driver: The Rival)

Best New Female Variety Performer: Shim Ja-yoon (Office Workers Season 2)

Best New Male Variety Performer: Kim Gyu-won (SNL Korea Season 8)

Global Icon with La Vie en Cosmétique Award: Go Youn-jung (Can Love Be Translated?)

Mareun5 Star Award: Go Youn-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Yoo Jae-suk, Lee Su-ji

OST Popularity Award: Ahn Yujin (Chwitabyeong: Legend of the Chefs OST)