Industry

Voting has officially opened for two of the most followed audience-driven categories at the 21st Seoul International Drama Awards: Outstanding Asian Star and Outstanding Korean Drama O.S.T. The global vote, launched on June 15, is being held through IDOLCHAMP, the international voting platform used by fans across more than 230 countries and regions.

Organized by the Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee, chaired by Moon-shin Bang, in partnership with TNK Factory, the voting period will run until July 14. The final results will determine the winners of the two categories, while participants will also have access to a series of reward events, including the chance to receive tickets to the SDA 2026 ceremony, scheduled to take place at KBS Hall in Seoul on October 8.

The Outstanding Asian Star Award celebrates actors and actresses who have made a significant impact over the past year across six participating territories: Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. The selection reflects the growing importance of Asian drama talent in the international market, where Korean series, Chinese dramas, Thai youth content, Japanese productions and Filipino stars continue to attract strong fan engagement across digital platforms.

This year’s Korean lineup includes several high-profile names from some of the most anticipated drama titles. Among them are Gang Dong-won and Gianna Jun from Tempest, Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung from Can This Love Be Translated?, Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo from The Manipulated, Kim Woo-bin and Suzy from Genie, Make a Wish, Lim Yoon-a from Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, Park Bo-young from Gold Land, Jisoo from Boyfriend on Demand, and Park Ji-hoon from The Legend of Kitchen Soldier.

The list also highlights the increasingly relevant intersection between K-pop and drama, with several idol-actors from short-form productions joining the race. These include Jeno and Jaemin of NCT DREAM, appearing in Wind Up, and Kangmin of VERIVERY, starring in Jump Boy Live.

Beyond Korea, the award brings together some of Asia’s most recognizable screen personalities. China is represented by names such as Dilraba Dilmurat, Lusi Zhao, Yang Yang and Bai Jingting, whose popularity continues to extend well beyond the domestic market. Thailand’s presence is particularly strong, with Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak, Milk Pansa Vosbein, Love Pattranite Limpatiyakorn, Namtan Tipnaree, Film Rachanun and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, confirming the country’s increasing international influence in youth-oriented and streaming drama.

The Philippines is represented by Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia and Dingdong Dantes, while Japan’s lineup includes Haruna Kawaguchi, Kazuya Kamenashi, Shun Oguri and Jin Akanishi. Singapore is represented by Tyler Ten, Richie Koh, Hong Ling and Tasha Low.

The second fan-voted category, Outstanding Korean Drama O.S.T., recognizes songs that have accompanied some of the most talked-about Korean dramas of the past year and helped expand their emotional and international resonance. Nominees include DOYOUNG of NCT for Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, SOOBIN & TAEHYUN of TXT for Sold Out on You, SUNG HAN-BIN of ZEROBASEONE for Spring Fever, NCT WISH for Would You Marry Me?, TWS for Good Boy, YOUNG K of DAY6 for My Royal Nemesis, and TAEYEON for We Are All Trying Here.

The full list of nominees is available on the IDOLCHAMP app, where fans can cast their votes until July 14.