'New Director Kim Yeon-kyung' · 'Judge Lee Han-young' · 'Our Ballads' win… Korea Broadcasting Awards reveal 30 best works

The 'Korea Broadcasting Awards' 30 works officially confirmed… Where will the grand prize land?

MBC drama 'Judge Lee Han-young' and SBS entertainment 'Our Ballads' captured the honor for the Korea Broadcasting Awards top work category, the highest authority in open-air (terrestrial) broadcasting in the country this year.

On the 30th, the Korea Broadcasting Association unveiled, on the spot, the list of 30 works that won the 53rd Korea Broadcasting Awards work awards and the 15 individual award winners, selected after a fierce contest.

Looking at the winners by category, in the drama category, MBC's 'Judge Lee Han-young,' which grabbed audiences with a solid narrative, rose to the top. In the entertainment TV category, SBS's 'Our Ballads'—praised for its emotional direction—and MBC's 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-kyung'—recognized for its original planning—achieved the feat of a co-win. In addition, the arts and culture education category went to 'Pioneer Series' from EBS Space Gonggam, which demonstrated deep insight.

The performance in the news and journalism category that kept faith with the essence of journalism also stands out. A total of 30 works, including SBS 'Kim Beom-seok's Kingdom Coupang: The Truth Investigation' (News Reporting) and KBS '追踪 60 Minutes' 'Korean Loneliness Deaths: A 10-Year Record' (Current Affairs Reporting), were selected as the best works that lit up this year.

In the individual awards category as well, 15 broadcasters who proved their presence that could not be replaced in their respective roles took home the honor. In the narration category, comedian 'Jeong Seon-hee' delivered moving moments with a warm voice at SBS TV Animal Farm; in the producer category, PD 'Park Yu-rim' of EBS Dingdongdaeng Dingdongdaeng was the recipient. In the host category, veteran announcer 'Lee Sook-young'—who leads SBS's Love FM—earned a spot on the awardee list.

The five winners across categories including the best actors, entertainers, and singers—where viewers can gauge the strength of fandom—currently have live viewer voting under way. The final results will be revealed next month on the 5th, when voting ends.

Since it took its first steps in 1973, the 'Korea Broadcasting Awards' has protected the public value of terrestrial broadcasting. The much-anticipated grand prize-winning work will finally be unveiled on the official awards ceremony stage on the 3rd of next month.