The APAN Star Awards is gearing up for its highly anticipated annual ceremony, set to honor the best in Korean drama from across all platforms.
On October 27, 2025, organizers announced that the 2025 edition will take place on December 29 at the prestigious Art Hall 1 in Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).
This venue, known for its architectural grandeur and central location, is expected to host an impressive lineup of stars, industry leaders, and drama enthusiasts.
As South Korea’s only comprehensive drama awards ceremony, the APAN Star Awards stands out for its inclusive recognition of content from broadcast, cable, OTT, and web dramas, ensuring that all forms of storytelling are celebrated equally.
The ceremony provides a platform to acknowledge both critically acclaimed works and productions that have achieved international recognition, making it a must-watch event for drama fans worldwide.
Eligibility and Selection Process
The 2025 SEOULCon APAN Star Awards will consider all Korean dramas broadcast between November 2024 and October 2025.
With a rich year of diverse storytelling, ranging from historical epics to modern romances and suspenseful thrillers, competition across award categories is expected to be fierce.
Award winners are determined by a panel of distinguished experts, including directors, writers, journalists, and pop culture critics.
This careful selection process ensures that winners are chosen not only for popularity but also for artistic merit and contribution to the Korean drama industry.
Such an approach underscores the APAN Star Awards’ commitment to celebrating excellence and innovation in storytelling.
Anticipated Stars and Productions
With numerous dramas receiving critical acclaim and international attention, the event is expected to attract top K-drama actors and actresses from across the industry.
Last year, Kim Tae Ri was awarded the Grand Prize, highlighting her exceptional performance and the ceremony’s prestige.
Fans can expect equally intense competition this year, with a strong lineup of nominees representing a variety of genres and platforms.
Past winners have included celebrated actors and actresses whose performances have resonated both domestically and internationally.
This trend underscores the APAN Star Awards’ growing influence as a benchmark for drama excellence in South Korea.
As such, anticipation is high not only for the awards themselves but also for the red carpet moments, fashion highlights, and emotional acceptance speeches that accompany the ceremony.
A Celebration of Korean Drama Culture
Beyond the awards, the APAN Star Awards serves as a cultural showcase, reflecting South Korea’s dynamic storytelling landscape.
The ceremony celebrates creativity, hard work, and the collaborative spirit of writers, directors, producers, and actors.
It also provides a platform for international audiences to engage with Korean content, further cementing the global reach and influence of K-dramas.
As Korean dramas continue to gain international popularity, ceremonies like the APAN Star Awards highlight the artistry and dedication behind the productions, bridging cultural boundaries and offering fans worldwide a glimpse into the talent shaping the industry.
Looking Ahead to December 29
The countdown to the 2025 SEOULCon APAN Star Awards has officially begun. Fans and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting the announcement of nominees and the full program details, which promise to include not only awards presentations but also special performances and tributes to the year’s standout dramas.
For those wishing to revisit past highlights, fans can watch last year’s Grand Prize-winning performance by Kim Tae Ri in “Alienoid: Return to the Future”, offering a preview of the caliber of talent expected this year.
The APAN Star Awards continues to solidify its reputation as South Korea’s premier drama awards ceremony, combining prestige, entertainment, and cultural significance.
With December 29 approaching, the event is set to shine a spotlight on the best of Korean storytelling and the actors who bring these stories to life.
RM, the leader of BTS, is set to break new ground as the first K-pop artist to deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit.
Scheduled for October 29, 2025, RM will speak on the second day of the summit, presenting on the topic:
“Cultural and Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-culture.”
This milestone underscores the growing influence of K-pop and Korean culture in global business and creative industries.
APEC introduced RM as a creative powerhouse and art enthusiast, noting his ability to craft profound lyrics inspired by diverse art forms.
His approach to music—philosophical, flexible, and boundary-pushing—has led him to collaborate with a wide range of artists internationally.
RM’s presence at the summit highlights the significance of cultural innovation and the global reach of K-pop as a tool of soft power.
BTS’s RM (Credit: YouTube)
RM’s Influence Beyond Music
RM’s participation at the APEC CEO Summit reflects the intersection of art, culture, and business.
Through BTS, he has consistently demonstrated how creative industries can influence social trends, cultural diplomacy, and even economic impact.
His keynote is expected to explore how K-culture contributes to regional cooperation, international branding, and the growth of creative sectors across APEC member economies.
As the first K-pop representative to speak at this prestigious summit, RM is positioned as both an artistic and cultural ambassador.
His insights are anticipated to inspire leaders from multiple industries, bridging entertainment, business, and global policy discussions.
HYBE’s Role and Support
HYBE, BTS’s management company, is participating as an official sponsor of the APEC CEO Summit, making it the only entertainment company involved in the event.
This sponsorship aligns with RM’s keynote, emphasizing HYBE’s commitment to promoting Korean culture and creative industries on a global stage.
The collaboration between RM and HYBE at this summit symbolizes the fusion of cultural influence with business strategy, further elevating the global profile of K-pop.
Anticipation and Global Impact
RM’s keynote speech is generating significant anticipation among industry leaders, K-pop fans, and cultural commentators alike.
Observers expect him to discuss not only BTS’s journey and cultural impact but also broader insights into how the creative sector contributes to economic growth, soft power, and global collaboration.
The inclusion of a K-pop artist in such a high-profile business forum marks a paradigm shift in how creative professionals are recognized in international leadership and policy spaces.
RM’s presence highlights the increasing acknowledgment of cultural industries as vital contributors to innovation, diplomacy, and global influence.
Looking Ahead
As RM prepares to take the stage at the APEC CEO Summit, fans and global audiences are eager to witness this historic moment.
His participation symbolizes K-pop’s global evolution, showcasing how artists can transcend entertainment to become influential voices in culture, business, and leadership.
For those waiting to see RM in action, fans can revisit BTS’s film “BREAK THE SILENCE: THE MOVIE” to experience his leadership and artistry firsthand, while looking forward to his thought-provoking keynote at one of the world’s premier business gatherings.
RM’s keynote not only cements his position as a cultural icon but also demonstrates how K-pop continues to shape global conversations on creativity, culture, and innovation.
