The Seoul International Drama Awards Organizing Committee announced the winners of the Seoul International Drama Awards 2020 (SDA) during the ceremony which was aired on MBC on September 15.
■ Mini-Series category – “Itaewon Class” wins the Silver Bird Prize
The highest glory of the Seoul International Drama Awards 2020 went to “Orphans of a Nation” from Brazil, a drama of 154 episodes and based on a novel in Brazil, combining various cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds. The Golden Bird Prize in the TV Movie category went to “The Turncoat” from Germany, which tells the story of a young German soldier and his love, agony and despair during the war in 1944. “Everything and Nothing” showed the power of Korean drama, winning the Silver Bird Prize in the TV Movie category. The drama’s story of growing pains of ordinary 17 year olds, long-take edits and delicate directing contributed to its evaluation as a well-made drama.
The Golden Bird Prize in the Mini-Series category went to “World on Fire” from the U.K. The drama drew upon the life of ordinary people during the Second World War through a realistic story and splendid picture. The Silver Bird Prize in the Mini-Series category went to “Itaewon Class” from South Korea, proving its quality of work and popularity. The drama presented a cathartic experience and moved viewers through the story of a poor, young man’s passionate revenge and success.
■ Individual Prize in International Competition category – “When the Camellia Blooms” wins the Best Actress & Best Screenwriter Prizes
Gong Hyo Jin of “When the Camellia Blooms” won the Best Actress Prize in the individual prize category. She was highly praised for her role and irreplaceable acting as Dongbaek, the character who is surrounded by prejudices but has a strong character. Lim Sang Choon, the author of “When the Camellia Blooms” was selected for the Best Screenwriter Prize. His humorous and sophisticated lines were praised for adding quality to the drama.
Jury’s Special Prize were given to “The Cage” from the Czech Republic, a psychological thriller about an elderly and young man who claimed to be her distant relative, and South Korea’s “XX” which tells a refreshing revenge story about friendship and love among young people, starring actress Ahn Hani and Hwang Seung-Eon.
■ Non-Competition category – “When the Camellia Blooms” bags multiple awards
The Excellent Korean Drama Prize in the Outstanding Korean Drama category was won by “When the Camellia Blooms”. Actor Kang Ha Neul, who captivated the television screen with his savory Chungcheong dialect and pure charm in the drama, also won the Outstanding Korean Actor Prize in the Outstanding Korean Drama category. At the same time, the Outstanding Korean Drama OST Prize was awarded to Punch with ‘Like a Heroine in the Movie’, OST of “When the Camellia Blooms”. As a result, “When the Camellia Bloom” won 5 prizes this year, following the Best Screenwriter, Best Actress in International Competition category.
Actress Son Ye Jin, who showed her unrivaled presence in “Crash Landing on You”, won the Outstanding Korean Actress Prize in the Outstanding Korean Drama category.
“Crash Landing on You”, “Hot Stove League” and “Extraordinary You”, which were loved by drama fans from all over the world beyond Korea, received the Outstanding Korean Drama Prize.
Asian Star Prize was awarded to Ryusei Yokohama, a rising star in Japan, playing an important role in the Japanese drama “Your Turn to Kill”, and to Dingdong Dantes who played the lead role in the Philippines version of “Descendants of the Sun”.
The Most Popular Foreign Drama of the Year, which is an award for global dramas loved by TV viewers around the world, went to the U.S. drama “Snowpiercer”, a remake of director Bong Joon Ho’s original film, and to the Philippine adaptation of “Descendants of the Sun”, based on the KBS drama, and “The New Pope” starring Jude Law and John Malkovich.
A colorful line-up of celebratory performances based on Hallyu contents was also unveiled, which featured hot K-Pop icon The Boyz, new queen of K-OST Punch, heroine of K-Trot Song Ga-in, as well as Ali and EXID’s Solji, who starred in MBC’s ‘The Masked Singer’ and more.
