Korean singer and actress IU had a night to remember at the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards, held on July 20 in Incheon. She took home some of the night’s biggest honors and left a strong impression on fans and industry insiders with her sincere and moving speech.

IU won Best Actress for her performance in the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines, a drama that has received wide praise since its release. This marks her first time winning in this major acting category and further proves her strength not just as a musician but also as a serious actress. She also received the Popularity Award, which was determined by fan votes.

During her speech, IU reflected on the deep meaning behind the series and the characters. She said it was a project she would forever be proud of and paid tribute to the fictional people she brought to life, saying they represented boldness, dreams, and courage. Her message was heartfelt and emotional, which caused applause and even tears from some in the audience.

IU wasn’t the only winner from When Life Gives You Tangerines, the show also won the Grand Prize (Daesang) and Best Supporting Actress for Yeom Hye-ran. Actor Park Bo-gum accepted the Daesang on behalf of the production team. Meanwhile, Ju Ji-hoon won Best Actor for his role in The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, which also earned the award for Best Drama.