Korean Dramas Shine at Asian Entertainment Awards, Cementing Studio Dragon’s Global Influence
The Korean entertainment industry continues its global ascent, with two acclaimed dramas, "Queen of Tears" and "A Bloody Lucky Day," garnering prestigious awards at both the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA) and the Asian Television Awards (ATA) in 2024. This double victory underscores the rising prominence of Korean storytelling on the international stage and solidifies Studio Dragon’s position as a leading force in drama production. The wins also echo the company’s previous successes at both awards ceremonies, demonstrating a consistent track record of producing high-quality, engaging content.
"Queen of Tears," a poignant exploration of a troubled marriage, captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and stellar performances. The drama earned the Best Direction award at the AACA held in Singapore, a testament to the director’s skillful execution in bringing the emotionally charged story to life. Further cementing its excellence, "Queen of Tears" also secured the Best Scriptwriting award at the 29th ATA in Jakarta, Indonesia. This dual recognition distinguishes "Queen of Tears" as the only Korean drama to triumph at both prestigious award ceremonies in 2024. The drama’s success reflects the growing global appetite for Korean content and its ability to resonate with diverse audiences.
The series, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won as the central couple grappling with marital discord, boasts a compelling ensemble cast, including Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Lee Joo-bin, whose performances added depth and nuance to the complex narrative. Airing on tvN in Korea, "Queen of Tears" achieved remarkable domestic success, boasting an average viewership rating of 24.9%, a record-breaking figure for the network. Its international reach extended through Netflix, where it amassed an impressive 682.6 million viewing hours in the first half of the year, solidifying its position among the most-watched K-dramas of the period.
In contrast to the emotionally-driven narrative of "Queen of Tears," "A Bloody Lucky Day" offers a gripping thriller, adapted from a popular webtoon by Aporia. The drama garnered the Best Original Production by a Streamer award at the AACA, highlighting its innovative approach to storytelling and its success in captivating viewers on digital platforms. The series follows an ordinary taxi driver, portrayed by veteran actor Lee Sung-min, who accepts a lucrative fare only to discover his passenger is a serial killer, played by Yoo Yeon-seok, with actress Lee Jung-eun rounding out the main cast. The driver’s perilous journey and the ensuing moral dilemmas form the heart of this suspenseful narrative.
"A Bloody Lucky Day" streams on TVING, CJ ENM’s OTT platform, in Korea, and is available internationally on Paramount+, excluding Japan and Taiwan, where distribution is handled by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The drama’s availability across multiple platforms reflects the increasing importance of streaming services in disseminating Korean content to a global audience. The series’ win at the AACA further cements the growing recognition of streaming platforms as a significant force in the entertainment industry.
Studio Dragon, the production powerhouse behind both "Queen of Tears" and "A Bloody Lucky Day," has consistently demonstrated its ability to create captivating and award-winning content. The company, a subsidiary of CJ ENM Entertainment Division, specializes in drama production, marketing, and distribution, and its continued success at major awards ceremonies underscores its growing influence within the Korean entertainment landscape. These recent accolades follow a string of previous triumphs, including wins for "The Glory" and "Island" in 2023, and "Twenty Five Twenty One," "Our Blues," and "Yumi’s Cells" in 2022, demonstrating Studio Dragon’s consistent commitment to quality and innovation.
These continued successes not only affirm Studio Dragon’s position as a leading content creator but also highlight the growing global appreciation for Korean dramas. The ability of these dramas to transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with international audiences speaks to the universality of human emotions and the power of compelling storytelling. As the Korean entertainment industry continues to flourish, Studio Dragon remains at the forefront, pushing creative boundaries and delivering captivating narratives that capture the hearts and minds of viewers worldwide. The company’s consistent recognition at the AACA and ATA solidifies its role as a key player in shaping the future of global entertainment.
