The 18th Korea Drama Festival is set to return this October, bringing together industry professionals and fans for a comprehensive celebration of Korean drama achievements. The ten-day festival will run from Friday through October 19 in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, with events taking place at the Gyeongnam Culture Arts Center and various venues along the scenic Nam River.
Established in 2006 by the Korea Drama Festival Organizing Committee with backing from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Jinju City, this festival has grown into Korea's premier dedicated K-drama celebration. Over its 18-year history, the event has evolved into a significant platform for recognizing both the creative excellence and commercial success of the Korean drama industry, serving as a meeting point for industry professionals and devoted fans from around the world.
The festival's centerpiece event, the 16th Korea Drama Awards, is scheduled to take place on Saturday at 5 p.m., promising to be a highlight of the celebration. This year's awards ceremony will recognize outstanding achievements across an impressive 92 television shows that aired over the past year, spanning terrestrial broadcasters, cable networks, general programming channels, and streaming platforms. The comprehensive awards program includes six fan-driven popularity categories, featuring recognitions such as the popular couple award and best soundtrack award, alongside seven prestigious main awards, culminating in the announcement of the grand prize winner.
Fan engagement has been a crucial component of the awards process, with voting for both popularity and main award categories already completed. This year's distinguished list of nominees includes notable actors Lee Jun-young, Park Bo-gum, Ahn Jae-wook, and singer-actress Lee Ji-eun, professionally known as IU, representing the diverse talent that has shaped Korea's drama landscape over the past year.
Beyond the awards ceremony, the festival offers an extensive range of experiential and cultural programming designed to immerse visitors in the world of K-dramas. Along the Nam River, attendees can explore a specially designed drama script experience photo zone that faithfully recreates sets from various popular shows, allowing fans to step into the worlds of their favorite dramas. The Korean drama history exhibition provides visitors with a comprehensive journey through K-drama's evolution, showcasing how the industry has transformed and grown over the decades.
The festival's cultural offerings extend to the KDF Promotion Zone, which will present a unique art exhibition inspired by this year's most popular and influential dramas. This zone will also feature interactive experiences that allow attendees to engage more deeply with drama content and characters. To enhance the evening atmosphere, the KDF Music Festa will combine live busking performances with special renditions of beloved drama soundtracks, creating a vibrant musical celebration that brings the emotional power of K-drama music to life along the riverfront venues.
