'When Life Gives You Tangerines' IU (Lee Ji-eun) received the grand prize at the APAN Star Awards.
On the afternoon of the 29th at Art Hall 1 of Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul, the 11th APAN Star Awards (2025 Seoul-con APAN Star Awards) was held. The 2025 APAN Star Awards, hosted by actor Kim Seungwoo and broadcaster Park Seon-young, is the only integrated domestic drama awards ceremony that targets content across all channels in Korea, including terrestrial, comprehensive programming, cable, OTT and web dramas.
The grand prize winner that day was singer and actor IU, who received great love for Netflix's 'When Life Gives You Tangerines.' IU, choking up, said, 'When Life Gives You Tangerines is a precious series for me that will remain a badge of honor in my future simply because I participated in it. First of all, I am truly grateful to writer Im Sang-chun for giving me two unforgettable characters, O Ae-soon and Yang Geum-myung.'
Speaking sincerely to writer Im Sang-chun, she said, 'If you ever come to my life again, I would like to serve you better then,' and added, 'Director Kim Won-seok, who is sitting in front of me, your perfectionism and high standards were honestly sometimes difficult for me, but I know well that without your affectionate gaze I would have wandered and regretted many more days on set. I am very grateful and I respect you, director. And thanks to Kim Yong-rim, Na Moon-hee, Moon Sori, Park Hae-jun, the actor Mr. Park Bogum, Kang Youseok and the many beloved senior actors, teachers and colleagues, I think this award is something I received because of them,' she said in her remarks.
She said, 'I was sometimes happy and sometimes fearful at the thought of having to film in the same angle with such excellent actors; there were moments I feared my shortcomings would be too exposed, but ultimately I know well that their excellence covered my shortcomings. I am very grateful,' and added, 'It was an honor to work with the best, and if we meet again in another project, I promise I will try to create a happier and more enjoyable set.'
She continued, 'Lastly, to the many viewers who loved When Life Gives You Tangerines, I think our work was simply the story of people who steadfastly and faithfully live each given day. Even when very sad things happen, you must prepare for tomorrow, so you have to eat, and still it was a story of people who know how to love life. I sincerely hope that a dazzling, wonderful reward like the canola flower field that Ae-soon and Gwan-sik walked through awaits the lives of all viewers who sent encouragement, understanding and empathy to their lives. To the viewers, the artists here, officials, and the audience, I close with the greeting 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' for the year 2025.'
In particular, at this ceremony, When Life Gives You Tangerines proved its popularity by winning six awards in total, including the grand prize, rookie awards, youth child actor awards, excellence acting awards, directing award and best picture. Director Kim Won-seok, who directed When Life Gives You Tangerines, said, 'I am so grateful that a drama that can resonate with people regardless of age and gender can still exist, and I am even more grateful to have had the opportunity to direct it. I sincerely thank the people who offered me this great drama, my eternal comrades and fellow staff and actors, and above all writer Im Sang-chun for writing a script that is like a life gift. I will work harder from now on, believing that if you make something with all your heart, there are viewers who will watch it carefully, and I will do my best to repay that.'
Park Sang-hyun, CEO of production company Fan Entertainment, also expressed gratitude, saying, 'I sincerely thank the organizers who gave this big award. When Life Gives You Tangerines was able to receive such great love because of the writer, the director, the actors, the staff and Netflix officials. Above all, it was because of the viewers who loved When Life Gives You Tangerines that we could stand here today. I sincerely thank you once again. We will return with better works in the future.'
The best actor award for a full-length drama was swept by For Eagle Brothers. An Jaewook said, 'While receiving much love from viewers and spending nearly 10 months on set, my body was tired but I felt rewarded and enjoyed filming with my colleagues in good energy. I am grateful for the opportunity, and thanks to the director, all the staff, and colleagues including Uhm Ji-won, I think we made another great memory. I want to use this opportunity to say thank you. I look forward to the day I meet you again in a more wonderful work and with a new character.'
Uhm Ji-won, who won the best actor award alongside An Jaewook, said, 'I remember 2025 as a year when many citizens went through hard times. I too had difficult things and good things in 2025. If my work, For Eagle Brothers, became even a little bit of weekend joy for viewers, I feel deeply grateful in my life as an actor. Above all, I want to thank the viewers who cried, laughed and felt joy through our work. I am also very grateful to senior An Jaewook, the young masters, the staff and the production team who were with me. I want to be an actor who gives joy, consolation, strength and hope through acting. I will work harder.'
The best actor award for a mid-length drama went to Lee Jun-ho for Typhoon Family and Cha Joo-young for The Queen Who Crowns. Lee Jun-ho, who won the popularity award, the global star award and now the best actor award, said, 'Personally, through the 2025 drama Typhoon Family I experienced days like a typhoon. Watching all the actors give their acceptance speeches, I feel everyone thought 2025 was truly a year like a typhoon. I want to sincerely thank writer Jang Hyun for teaching the love that allows people to hold hands and overcome walls in that drama and for creating that world. Director Lee Na-jung also worked hard for our drama, and I am truly honored and grateful to present it as a great drama and to receive this award. Personally, portraying Kang Tae-poong made me think a lot about my father, mother and family. I hope they always stay healthy and can be happy with their son for a long time.'
Cha Joo-young, who endured many ups and downs including controversy over 19-plus exposure throughout the airing of The Queen Who Crowns, said, 'I am grateful to receive such a big and precious award. This is the first time I have received an award for my first leading title role since my debut. I am very thankful, and I think casting me as Queen Won-gyeong in The Queen Who Crowns was itself a gamble. Many adventurers gathered to make this work. Portraying a real person was not easy, but as soon as I received the script I wanted to accomplish it with my heart. I believe a person whose name is not even left in history accomplished a great achievement, so although I didn't know how, I sincerely acted with my body and heart,' she said, finally showing tears.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Family's writer Jang Hyun received the writer award, recognizing the work's artistry. Jang Hyun, who wiped tears while congratulating Lee Jun-ho on his best actor award, said, 'I understand this as a gesture of support given to a rookie writer, and I will strive to become a good writer. I sincerely thank director Lee Na-jung, our Typhoon Family actor Lee Jun-ho, all the Typhoon Family members, and above all the viewers who watched Typhoon Family,' he said, expressing his overwhelming emotions.
Below is the list of winners at the 2025 Seoul-con APAN Star Awards.
[photo] tvN
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