Seoul International Drama Awards 2026 launches global fan voting

The Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee, chaired by Moon-shin Bang, alongside tech partner TNK Factory, officially commenced the global voting window for the 21st edition of the Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA 2026). Running from June 15 through July 14, fans from over 230 countries can cast their ballots via the IDOLCHAMP application to determine the winners of the coveted Outstanding Asian Star and Outstanding Korean Drama O.S.T categories. The final accolades will be presented during the main television ceremony scheduled to take place at the KBS Hall on October 8, 2026.

The Outstanding Asian Star category highlights actors who have made an exceptional impact across six key regional markets: South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines. The South Korean selection features an array of high-profile talent attached to major dramatic productions, including Gang Dong-won and Gianna Jun for Tempest, Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung for Can This Love Be Translated?, and Ji Chang-wook alongside Doh Kyung-soo for The Manipulated. The list continues with Kim Woo-bin and Suzy for Genie, Make a Wish, Lim Yoon-a for Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, Park Bo-young for Gold Land, Jisoo for Boyfriend on Demand, and Park Ji-hoon for The Legend of Kitchen Soldier. Furthermore, the category acknowledges the booming short-form market with nominations for idol-actors such as NCT DREAM's Jeno and Jaemin for Wind Up, and VERIVERY's Kangmin for Jump Boy Live.

Across the rest of the Asian content market, the nominations showcase the continent’s most prominent domestic stars. China’s ballot is anchored by pan-Asian favorites Dilraba Dilmurat, Lusi Zhao, Yang Yang, and Bai Jingting. Thailand’s expansive list features Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak, Milk Pansa Vosbein, Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn, Namtan Tipnaree, Film Rachanun, and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, underscoring the nation's rising footprint in youth-oriented streaming dramas. The Philippines enters the race with Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Dingdong Dantes, while Japan is represented by Haruna Kawaguchi, Kazuya Kamenashi, Shun Oguri, and Jin Akanishi. Singapore's local slate rounds out the field with Tyler Ten, Richie Koh, Hong Ling, and Tasha Low.

Simultaneously, the Outstanding Korean Drama O.S.T division aims to celebrate the musical soundscapes that drove global viewers during the past television cycle. This year’s musical nominees feature major K-pop artists, including NCT's Doyoung for Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, TXT's Soobin and Taehyun for Sold Out on You, and ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Han-bin for Spring Fever. The roster is completed by tracking tracks from NCT WISH with Would You Marry Me?, TWS with Good Boy, Day6's Young K for My Royal Nemesis, and Taeyeon for We Are All Trying Here. In tandem with the polling process, the organizers will roll out reward events for active digital voters, including promotional items and premium entry tickets to the live October gala in Seoul.

LC