The 2026 APAN Star Awards has officially announced its date and venue, confirming that this year’s ceremony will take place in Seoul on December 23.
The annual event, which celebrates achievements across the South Korean television and drama industry, is preparing to bring together actors and productions from a wide range of platforms.
On October 30, the Korea Entertainment Management Association announced that the 2026 APAN Star Awards would be held at Gyedang Hall of Sangmyung Art Center in Seoul.
The ceremony will also be broadcast live through tvN, allowing viewers to follow the event beyond the venue.
The announcement has generated anticipation among K-drama fans, who are looking forward to seeing which actors and productions will receive recognition for their work over the past year.
With dramas continuing to reach audiences through traditional television channels and streaming platforms, the awards will once again highlight achievements across the changing entertainment landscape.
APAN Star Awards to Recognize Dramas Across Multiple Platforms
The APAN Star Awards is recognised as South Korea’s only comprehensive drama awards ceremony covering content released across domestic broadcasting networks, cable channels, over-the-top (OTT) platforms and web dramas.
Unlike awards events that focus on productions from a particular broadcaster or streaming service, APAN brings together projects from different platforms under one ceremony.
This allows a broader selection of dramas and performers to receive recognition for their contributions throughout the year.
The 2026 edition will continue this approach, celebrating productions and actors whose performances have connected with audiences across different genres and formats.
The ceremony is hosted by the Korea Entertainment Management Association and organised by Studio Globic and Guardians Company.
Its continued focus on a wide range of drama content has helped establish APAN as an important annual event for the Korean entertainment industry.
The December ceremony is expected to bring together prominent figures from the world of Korean dramas.
However, the organisers have not yet announced the full list of nominees, presenters or performers. Further details about the programme are expected to be revealed closer to the event.
Previous Grand Prize Winners Include IU, Hyun Bin and Song Hye Kyo
The APAN Star Awards has recognised several major names in the Korean entertainment industry over the years.
Its previous Grand Prize recipients include Son Hyun Joo, Song Hye Kyo, Jo In Sung, Kim Soo Hyun, Song Joong Ki, Lee Byung Hun, Hyun Bin, Lee Junho, Kim Tae Ri and IU.
These actors have received recognition for their work in some of the most widely discussed Korean television productions of their respective years, reflecting the awards’ history of celebrating performances across different genres.
At the 2025 APAN Star Awards, IU received the Grand Prize for her performance in Netflix’s drama ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines.’
Her win was among the highlights of last year’s ceremony and added another major achievement to her acting career.
With the 2026 event approaching, attention will now turn to the dramas and performers who will be considered for this year’s honours.
The eligibility period and complete nomination details have yet to be announced in the initial date-and-venue announcement.
The ceremony will take place on December 23 at Gyedang Hall, Sangmyung Art Center, in Seoul, with a live broadcast planned on tvN.
As anticipation builds, K-drama fans will be watching for the upcoming nominee announcement and the identities of this year’s potential Grand Prize recipients.
