The Biggest Winners At The 2020 Seoul International Drama Awards

Son Ye-Jin

Let's begin with the "Queen of Melodrama," Son Ye-jin! The Korean superstar brought home two awards at the ceremony, including Hallyu Drama Best Actress Award and Outstanding Korean Actress Award for "Crash Landing on You."

Photo Credit: MSteam Entertainment / IMDb

Gong Hyo-Jin

Meanwhile, Gong Hyo-jin was named the Best Actress Award for her performance in the K-Drama "When the Camellia Blooms."

Photo Credit: Piaget / IMDb

Kang Ha-Neul

Gong Hyo-jin's "When the Camellia Blooms" co-star, Kang Ha-neul, also won big that evening and bagged the award for Outstanding Korean Actor for the same series. Overall, "When the Camellia Blooms" was recognized with five awards, also winning Best Screenwriter, Excellent Korean Drama, and Best OST in a Korean Drama.

Photo Credit: Vonin / IMDb

"Orphans of a Nation"

Turning our attention to international awardees, Brazil's series "Orphans of a Nation" came home with the grand prize for television. The show chronicling the stories of refugees and immigrants from around the world was awarded with the night's Grand Prize.

"Bolivar"

Coming in at second place to "Orphans of a Nation" is a lesser known, but nonetheless excellently made Netflix film from Colombia. "Bolivar" is essentially a biopic about Gen. Simón Bolívar from Venezuela that was given a romantic spin; it was awarded with the Serial Drama Golden Bird Prize.

Photo Credit: IMDb

"Mr. Fighting"

And then there's China's "Mr. Fighting," a surprise summer hit that highlights the beauty of life's ups and downs for ordinary people. The TV series went on to win the Serial Drama Silver Bird Prize award.

Photo Credit: Hunan TV

"The Turncoat"

Europe also got its fair share of representation at the ceremony with none other than cinematic gem "The Turncoat." The German film, which is wonderfully based on a manuscript that remained hidden for decades and was almost lost to time, follows the story of a WW2 soldier fighting at the height of the war, who questions his duty's true purpose. The TV Movie Golden Bird Prize was given to "The Turncoat."

Photo Credit: IMDb

"Everything and Nothing"

Whoever said that made-for-teens drama films couldn't attract a more sophisticated audience was sorely mistaken. Korea's "Everything and Nothing" is proof of this. The touching film about coming of age while striking unexpected friendships received the TV Movie Silver Bird Prize award.

Photo Credit: SBS

"World on Fire"

Another wartime-focused project garnered top votes at the ceremony, this time, hailing from the UK. "World on Fire," a BBC mini series, is also set in WW2 and gives the Allied Powers' perspective of the war. As the winner of the Mini-Series Golden Bird Prize, the show depicts the lives of ordinary British citizens and how they adapted to one of the most tragic times in history, the series is poignant and affecting in every way. "World on Fire" director Adam Smith was also given the Best Director award.

Photo Credit: BBC One

"Itaewon Class"

"Itaewon Class," a recently concluded Korean series, went home with the Mini-Series Silver Bird Prize. Following the redemption arc of an ex-convict holding on to his dreams despite his history, it's lighthearted, heartwarming, and thought-provoking all at once.

Photo Credit: JTBC

Waleed Zuaiter

Based on true events, "Baghdad Central" follows the events that unfolded after the fall of Saddam Hussein. But rather than focus on the story of a nation, it zeroes in on the experiences of a father who goes on a mission to reunite with his daughter. Its lead actor, Waleed Zuaiter, was awarded the Best Actor award for his performance.

Photo Credit: IMDb

"Snowpiercer," "The New Pope," and "Descendants of the Sun"

There wasn't just one, but three winners for the Most Popular Foreign Drama category! First up was the US' adaptation of "Snowpiercer," followed by Italy's "The New Pope," and last but certainly not least, the Philippines's very own take on K-Drama classic "Descendants of the Sun" (Dingdong Dantes was also a big winner at the event, taking home the Asian Star Prize for this series).