Blue Dragon awards highlight streaming’s rising power
The 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards celebrated top K-drama creators, spotlighting original streaming content that now defines Asia’s entertainment future. Held on July 18 in Incheon, the event saw Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines win the Grand Prize (Daesang). IU took home Best Actress, while Ju Ji Hoon earned Best Actor for his role in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. These wins show how streaming is now firmly embedded in the region’s entertainment mainstream.
With the continued rise of OTT platforms, the Blue Dragon Series Awards has become a vital barometer of Asia’s creative momentum.
Blue Dragon Series becomes the streaming spotlight
Launched in 2022 as a spin-off of the Blue Dragon Film Awards, the Series Awards was created to honor excellence in long-form streaming content. The July 18 ceremony—held at Paradise City in Incheon—has quickly grown into one of Asia’s most influential events for television and OTT.
The awards reflect both changing viewing habits and the surge in narrative-driven, high-quality streaming series. Winning a Blue Dragon title today brings not only critical acclaim but also global exposure, especially for Netflix-backed series like Tangerines.
Event highlights and creative triumphs
Netflix dominated the evening. When Life Gives You Tangerines not only earned the Grand Prize but also secured Best Actress for IU, marking her first win in the category. Her emotional acceptance speech highlighted her personal growth and resilience, resonating with viewers across the region.
Meanwhile, Ju Ji Hoon was awarded Best Actor for The Trauma Code. The show also won Best Drama, cementing its status as one of the year’s standout titles. Ju’s performance offered a layered portrayal of trauma and duty, helping the show climb to Netflix’s Global Top 10 list during its debut week.
In supporting categories, Yeom Hye Ran (Tangerines) and Lee Kwang Soo (Karma) were recognized, while Choo Young Woo (Trauma Code) earned rising star honors. Together, the winners reflect how Korean series continue to launch actors into regional and global stardom.
Streaming enters Asia’s entertainment core
Streaming platforms—especially Netflix—are now essential to Asia’s entertainment economy. Recognition from the Blue Dragon Series Awards affirms this. These awards not only raise a show’s visibility but also attract new viewers and international investment.
The wins for Tangerines and Trauma Code highlight South Korea’s ability to deliver emotionally rich, high-quality stories. As a result, Asian content creators are earning global respect once reserved for traditional cinema markets like Hollywood.
Streaming standards rise across the region
Looking ahead, competition for recognition will likely intensify. Streaming platforms across Asia are scaling up their investments, chasing Blue Dragon-level prestige. Content that combines strong local themes with universal storytelling is expected to dominate.
We may also see increased collaboration across countries. Studios in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia are already working on co-productions that blend regional flavor with global ambition. Awards like Blue Dragon now shape not just reputations but entire content strategies.
For many creators, winning could alter a show’s distribution, funding, and global licensing potential.
Blue Dragon signals a new chapter in Asian storytelling
The 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards marked a major milestone in Asia’s entertainment journey. With streaming originals earning top honors and stars like IU achieving long-awaited recognition, the ceremony confirmed a shift toward platform-driven, story-first excellence.
As Asia’s creative industries mature, next year’s nominees may include more cross-border projects and genre-pushing narratives. This evolution points to a new era—one where Asia leads not just in content production, but also in shaping the global streaming landscape.
