South Korean actress Lee Sun Bin and TV host Kim Sung Joo stepped up as co-hosts of the 2025 MBC Drama Awards on Tuesday, December 30. Taking place at MBC Media Center Public Hall in Seoul, the annual event turned the focus onto K-drama titles released by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) channel this past year, including Undercover High School, Crushology 101, Moon River, Motel California, Oh My Ghost Clients and more.
Despite MBC dramas staying on the down low as compared to other South Korean networks’ releases, Undercover High School starring Seo Kang Joon, Jin Ki Joo, Kim Shin Rok and others emerged as a rather instant fan favourite following its March premiere. Tuesday’s awards ceremony again saw it take the lead, with Seo Kang Joon staying on top as this year’s Daesang / Grand Prize winner.
The 12-episode action comedy series particularly gained a fan-following in India, with some even dubbing it the “Korean Main Hoon Na” in the South Asian nation. Earlier this year, the show generated quite a lot of buzz due to its shared similarities with the hit Bollywood flick Main Hoon Na starring superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Both projects lead with a plot centred around an undercover agent who must pose as a student to complete a mission. The overarching storyline ultimately leaves both Seo Kang Joon and Shah Rukh Khan with not choice but to navigate aspects of teenage life circling around romantic and family themes.
The awards show also paid a heartwarming tribute to the late veteran actor Lee Soon Jae with a lifetime achievement award. Having consolidated his stance as the industry’s oldest active actor, he sadly passed away last month. The photumously presented award was accepted by Lee Seung Hee, the CEO of Lee’s agency.
2025 MBC Drama Awards winners list
Best Character: Jin Goo for Moon River
Best New Actor: Lee Chae Min for Crushology 101 and Lee Shin Young for Moon River
Best New Actress: Jo Aram for To the Moon and Hong Su Zu for Moon River
Best Actor: Jung Kyung Ho for Oh My Ghost Clients
Best Actress: Lee Se Young for Motel California
Best Supporting Actor: Kim Nam Hee for Moon River
Best Supporting Actress: Kim Shin Rok for Undercover High School
Top Excellence Awards – Male (miniseries): Kang Tae Oh for Moon River
Top Excellence Awards – Female (miniseries): Jin Ki Joo for Undercover High School and Kim Se Jeong for Moon River
Excellence Award – Male (Short-form or Daily drama): Oh Chang Suk for The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun
Excellence Award – Female (Short-form or Daily drama): Yoon Ah Jung for The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun
Top Excellence Awards – Male (Short-form or Daily drama): Song Chang Eui for Desperate Mrs Seon Ju
Top Excellence Award – Female (Short-form or Daily Drama): Jang Shin Young for The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun
Best Couple: Kang Tae Oh and Kim Se Jeong for Moon River
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lee Soon Jae
Biggest winners of MBC Drama Awards 2025
Daesang / Grand Prize: Seo Kang Joon for Undercover High School
Drama of the Year: Undercover High School