Why Yook Sungjae & Kim Jiyeon’s Awards Were Bigger Than the Trophy

The Win That Wasn’t Just About Acting

When Yook Sungjae and Kim Jiyeon both won Best Acting in the Miniseries Human & Fantasy category at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, the reaction was instant hype.

But what made fans pause wasn’t just that they won. It was what they talked about when they did.

Instead of focusing only on themselves, both actors pointed to something bigger: Korean traditional folklore — and the fact that this drama helped bring it to the global stage.

Yook Sungjae: 13 Years Led to This Moment

On stage, Yook Sungjae reminded everyone he’s been in the industry for 13 years. Thirteen years of performing, acting, and growing — and he still centered his fans first.

He called them his constant source of confidence, saying their support never changed no matter where his career took him. For a veteran artist, that hit hard.

Then came the unexpected part.

He shared that while working on Gweegung, he discovered just how rich and entertaining Korea’s traditional supernatural folklore really is — creatures and stories he hadn’t even known deeply before.

And he wasn’t saying this casually. He sounded genuinely proud that this knowledge was now being shared with viewers around the world.

Kim Jiyeon: A Hard Genre, A Real Commitment

Kim Jiyeon’s speech carried a different weight.

She openly talked about how difficult this genre was to film. Fantasy dramas aren’t just acting — they’re long hours, heavy CGI coordination, emotional focus while reacting to things that aren’t physically there.

Instead of glamorizing it, she respected the difficulty. And she thanked the entire production team in detail.

The line fans latched onto most?

She said she wants to become an even better actor because of this award — not to celebrate herself, but to prove she truly deserves it.

Why This Moment Matters More Than It Seems

This Is Cultural Soft Power in Real Time

K-dramas are already global. That part isn’t new.

What is new is a fantasy drama like Gweegung winning major acting awards while actively introducing international audiences to Korean folklore, beliefs, and mythological creatures.

When Sungjae says he learned about these stories through the script, imagine how many overseas viewers are learning them for the first time too.

This isn’t just entertainment export. It’s cultural storytelling — quietly, effectively, and without forcing explanation.

Both Winning the Same Category Says Everything

They weren’t competing against each other.

They were both recognized in the same category — something that only happens when a drama’s performances are inseparable.

The story elevated them together. That balance is rare, especially in fantasy genres.

What Fans Actually Reacted To

Scroll through fan reactions and you’ll see the pattern.

People weren’t just celebrating trophies. They were talking about humility.

Sungjae talked about fans and cultural pride. Jiyeon talked about effort, teamwork, and growth.

For younger fans especially, that hits harder than any flashy acceptance speech. It shows what it means to use success responsibly.

The Real Takeaway

These awards mattered because they proved something important.

Fantasy dramas with cultural depth can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with traditional prestige dramas.

Korean folklore can travel globally without being watered down.

And artists like Yook Sungjae and Kim Jiyeon understand that their platform isn’t just about winning — it’s about representing something larger than themselves.

That’s why this win will be remembered long after the trophies are put away.