The Seoul International Drama Awards (SDA) is marking its 20th anniversary with a record-breaking 276 submissions from 50 countries and regions vying for six coveted trophies.

The SDA Organizing Committee (SDAOC), chaired by Bang Mun-shin, said, “In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we’ve received 276 outstanding submissions from 50 countries and regions. With entries from every continent for the second year in a row, the festival continues to solidify its position as a premier global awards ceremony.”

Among the titles submitted were from global OTT platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+, as well as ZDF Studios GmbH, STUDIOCANAL, and TBS. 

Some of the submitted works have been recognized at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Emmy Awards. 

Entries from the Philippines (Screenshot from SDA website)

Some of this year's entries (Photos provided by SDA)

In the International Competition Category, 264 dramas will vie for top honors.They include: 

• “Severance” Season 2 (Apple TV+) - Ben Stiller’s inventive direction and show’s unpredictable twists have earned a passionate global following.

• “Adolescence” (Netflix), which explores incel culture, social media-related crimes among youth, and the intersection of gender and violence, sparking global discussion and empathy.

• “Asura” (Netflix), the second TV drama by Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda 

• “The Newsreader” season 3 (Werner Film Projects), a multi-award-winning Australian drama praised by both critics and audiences.

• “Senna” (Netflix), a compelling biographical drama of Brazilian Formula 1 icon Ayrton Senna.

• “Recipes for Love and Murder” season 2 (Both Worlds Pictures), which is set in South Africa’s Karoo region. Its first season aired in over 100 countries, marking a global success.

In the K-Drama Competition Category, among the entries are: 

• “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (Netflix)

• “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” (Netflix)

• “Light Shop” (Disney+)

• “The Tale of Lady Ok” (JTBC)

• “Friendly Rivalry” (LG UPLUS)

• “The Judge From Hell” (Studio S)

• “Doubt” (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation)

• “What Comes After Love” (Coupang Play) - A Korea-Japan co-production.

Notably, most K-Drama submissions are also competing in the International Category, highlighting their crossover appeal and global resonance.

From the Philippines, the submitted entries are "Mga Batang Riles” (GMA Network), "Pulang Araw" (GMA Network), "Ang Mutya ng Section E (Viva Communications), "Lavender Fields" (ABS-CBN Studios), "Saving Grace" (ABS-CBN Studios) and "Incognito" (ABS-CBN Studios).  

In the individual categories, entries include IU and Park Bo-gum (“When Life Gives You Tangerines”), Lee Hye-ri (“Friendly Rivalry”), Kentaro Sakaguchi (“What Comes After Love/Beyond Goodbye”), Heo Kwang-han (“GG Precinct”), Gary Oldman (“Slow Horses” season 4), Cate Blanchett (“Disclaimer”), Owen Cooper (“Adolescence”), and Anna Torv (“The Newsreader” season 3). 

This year, Azerbaijan is participating for the first time, further demonstrating the Seoul Drama Awards' ongoing global expansion. 

The Azerbaijani drama “Citizen A” is recognized for successfully bringing important issues such as civic awareness and women’s rights to the general public.  

The SDA Awards Ceremony will be held at the KBS Hall in Seoul and will be broadcast live on SBS TV and YouTube on Oct. 2. 

From Oct. 3 to 4, public events will be held at Banpo Hangang Park and Songpa Naru Park in Seoul, including drama talk concerts, OST concerts, interactive drama experience zones, and a drama street festival.

The Seoul International Drama Awards is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Seoul Metropolitan Government, KBS, MBC, SBS, EBS and CBS.