8 Rookie Winners? 2025 SBS Drama Awards Sparks Controversy Over Prestige

Is it a prestigious award or just an attendance prize? The '2025 SBS Drama Awards' held on December 31, 2025, has come under fire after awarding the Rookie Award to a whopping eight different actors and actresses. The atmosphere in the venue turned instantly awkward as audiences and winners alike were caught off guard by the mass presentation.

Confusion at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards Rookie Winners Announcement

When four actors' names first popped up on the screen, the audience initially thought they were just nominees. However, it soon became clear that all four were winners. According to reports from netizens, even the winners themselves seemed confused, clapping awkwardly as they stood on stage together.

Who are the 8 Rising Stars of 2025?

The male winners include Kim Dan (The Winning Try), Kim Moo Jun (Dynamite Kiss), Cha Woo Min (Buried Hearts), and Ha Yu Jun (Spring of Youth). For the actresses, Kim Eun Bi (Our Movie), Park Jung Yeon (The Winning Try), Woo Da Bi (Dynamite Kiss), and Hong Hwa Yeon (Buried Hearts) were all named Best New Actresses of 2025.

While SBS is known for its tradition of handing out multiple awards, the sheer number this year sparked heated debate online. Critics argue that giving out awards en masse diminishes the prestige of the honor, with some calling it an "attendance award." On the other hand, some fans believe there's nothing wrong with celebrating as many new faces as possible in a competitive industry.