SBS Drama Awards 2025: Top 5 Grand Prize nominees revealed ahead of year-end showdown

A legendary battle between acting titans will take place at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, airing live on December 31 at 9pm (KST). On December 16, SBS released its second teaser video featuring the five official nominees for this year’s prestigious Grand Prix (Daesang), teasing a fierce cross-genre showdown.

Here’s a closer look at the five standout performances that have made SBS a drama powerhouse in 2025:

Go Hyun-jung”Queen Mantis” plays the chilling serial killer Jung Yi-shin, also known as “Mantis”. The thriller follows a detective forced to work with his ex-mother, also the killer he despises, to solve a series of copycat crimes. Go’s compelling portrayal conveyed unrelenting tension and proved that she is the best “Goddess of thrillers”.

Han Ji-min takes center stage in “Love Scouts“, a sweet but edgy romantic drama about no-nonsense headhunter CEO Ji-yoon and his impeccable secretary Eun-ho. Han has taught a master class in romantic acting – from heartfelt emotional depth to heartwarming office romance – earning her the title of “Queen of melodrama”.

Yoon Kye-sang shone in underdog sports drama “The winning goal“, which portrays eccentric coach Ju Ga-ram as he transforms the lowest-ranked high school rugby team into national champions. His layered performances and sincere leadership have made him a strong contender, and fans are eager to see if the “God of Victory” will earn his first SBS Daesang.

Lee Je-hoon returned to the role of vigilante Kim Do-gi in “Taxi driver 3“, a revenge series in which a mysterious taxi company avenges its victims. As “Good Do-gi”, Lee wowed viewers with his high-level justice and charisma, continuing his dominant presence in the show’s third season. Could this be his second SBS Daesang?

Park Hyung-sik made a powerful return in “Buried hearts“, as Seo Dong-ju, a man who hacks a 2 trillion won political slush fund and risks everything for revenge. “God of Vengeance”Park’s strong performance marked his return to SBS after a decade – now all eyes are on whether he will leave with the highest honour.

In the meantime, voting for Best Couple began, which aroused even more enthusiasm. The nominated couples are:

Han Ji-min and Lee Joon-hyuk (Love Scouts)

Park Hyung-sik and Hong Hwa-yeon (Buried hearts)

Yook Sung-jae and Kim Ji-yeon (The Haunted Palace)

Ha Yoo-joon and Park Ji-hu (Spring of youth)

Choi Woo-shik and Jung So-min (Would you marry me)

Jang Ki-yong and Is Eun-jinDynamite kiss)

Voting opened on December 15th via Naver Entertainment’s voting service and will last until December 24th. Each Naver ID can vote once per day. The winner will be determined by 70% of netizen votes and 30% of judges’ scores.

With such fierce competition, all eyes are on who will be crowned as the acting legend at the SBS Drama Awards 2025. Tune in on December 31 at 9pm to find out.

Sources: Daum

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