A Korean drama that swept past heavyweights like The Judge from Hell and The Fiery Priest 2 has claimed the Drama of the Year award at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards, capturing public attention.
The ceremony, co-hosted by broadcaster Shin Dong-yup and actors Kim Hye-yoon and Kim Ji-yeon, took place at 8:35 p.m. on December 21 at the SBS Prism Tower in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
During the third segment of the broadcast, the Drama of the Year award was announced. Presenters Bae Yoo-ram and Pyo Ye-jin said, "SBS dramas received immense love this year. Among them, the Drama of the Year award goes to a series that excelled in ratings, popularity, and artistic quality: Connection. Congratulations!"
As the title was announced, cheers erupted in the venue. The cast of Connection, seated together, stood up in astonishment, some raising their arms in triumph, others covering their mouths in disbelief. Cameras captured actors visibly overwhelmed with emotion, unable to hide their surprise.
Pyo Ye-jin explained, "Connection, a crime investigation thriller about a friendship that turns toxic, captivated viewers with its gripping and compelling storylines in every episode. The cast's flawless performances delivered an overwhelming sense of immersion, driving a meteoric rise in ratings."
When the cast took the stage to accept the award, they couldn't contain their joy. The director, stepping up to the mic on behalf of the team, struggled to find words, saying, "I never expected this..." Overcome with emotion, he continued, "During production, I often worried whether the exceptional acting of the cast could be fully conveyed. I also regretted not doing enough as a director to bring out the best in them. Despite my shortcomings, the cast delivered extraordinary performances, and for that, I am deeply grateful."
Notably, lead actor Ji Sung was unable to attend the event, which drew some disappointment.
Meanwhile, Connection also claimed trophies in several other categories, including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in the Mini-Series Genre/Action category, as well as Best New Actor.
Starring hitmakers Ji Sung and Jeon Mi-do, Connection is a crime thriller that concluded in July with a peak rating of 14.2%. Ji Sung portrayed an elite detective tasked with dismantling a drug cartel, delivering a deeply engaging performance that played a key role in the drama's success. During its run, the drama topped weekend mini-series ratings and generated significant buzz.
Winners of the 2024 SBS Drama Awards:
▲ Grand Prize: Jang Na-ra
▲ Director's Award: Park Shin-hye
▲ Best Actor (Mini-Series Genre/Action): Jeon Mi-do, Ahn Bo-hyun
▲ Best Actor (Seasonal Drama): Lee Ha-nee, Kim Nam-gil
▲ Best Actor (Mini-Series Human/Fantasy): Nam Ji-hyun, Kim Jae-young
▲ Lifetime Achievement Award: Kim Young-ok
▲ Drama of the Year: Connection
▲ Excellence in Acting (Mini-Series Genre/Action): Park Ji-hyun, Kwak Si-yang
▲ Excellence in Acting (Mini-Series Human/Fantasy): Kim Ah-young, Kim Jun-han, Pyo Ji-hoon
▲ Excellence in Acting (Seasonal Drama): Kim Hyung-seo, Lee Yu-bi, Kim Sung-kyun, Sung Joon
▲ Best Couple: Park Shin-hye, Kim Jae-young
▲ Best Teamwork: Good Partner – Daejung Law Firm Team
▲ Best Performance: Lee Kyu-han, Han Jae-yi
▲ Scene-Stealer Award: Ko Kyu-pil, Ahn Chang-hwan
▲ Best Supporting Actor (Mini-Series Genre/Action): Kim Kyung-nam, Kwon Yul, Jung Yoo-min, Yoon Sa-bong
▲ Best Supporting Actor (Seasonal Drama): Shim Yi-young, Seo Hyun-woo
▲ Best Supporting Actor (Mini-Series Human/Fantasy): Kim In-kwon, Ji Seung-hyun, Kim Hye-hwa, Kim Jae-hwa
▲ Youth Acting Award: Moon Woo-jin, Yuna
▲ Best New Actor: Kim Min-joo, Choi Yoo-joo, Kang Sang-jun, Kim Shin-bi, Seo Beom-jun