The 8th Korea Drama Festival is coming to a close this weekend in Jinju, and on Friday the 8th, it held its annual Korea Drama Awards. It’s not one of the big awards ceremonies of the year, but since it is one of few that focus on dramas, I’m always curious to see how the awards shake out.
…and then I see the nominees list and award recipients and I’m puzzled, because the picks seem so random. It’s a case where I don’t necessarily think the winners are undeserving, until I look at the people who were passed over and then it feels very strange.
Here, take a look:

WINNERS LIST
Daesang: Kim Soo-hyun (The Producers)
Best Drama: Misaeng
Best Scriptwriting: Jang Hyuk-rin(Yong-pal)
Best Director: Seo Soo-min, Pyo Min-soo (The Producers)
Top Excellence, Actor: Lee Jong-seok(Pinocchio)
Top Excellence, Actress: Kim Tae-hee(Yong-pal)
Excellence Award, Actor: Lee Joon(Heard It Through the Grapevine), Kim Dae-myung (Misaeng)
Excellence Award, Actress: Sooyoung(My Spring Days)
New Actor: Chanyeol (EXO Next Door)
New Actress: Im Ji-yeon (High Society)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Kim Young-ae
Hallyu Star Award: Kim Soo-hyun(Producers), Chanyeol (EXO Next Door)
Special Judges’ Award: Im Shi-wan(Misaeng)
KDA Award: Park Hae-jin (Bad Guys)
Hot Star Award: Seo Kang-joon(Hwajung)
Star of the Year Award: Kim So-hyun(Who Are You—School 2015)
Global Star Award: Sam Okyere (Warm and Cozy)
Drama OST Award: Jang Jane (Kill Me, Heal Me)