IU Sweeps Major Awards: From Hallyu Expo to the Blue Dragon Series Awards

IU shines in 2025 with two major wins.
Honored at Hallyu Expo and Blue Dragon Awards.
Her role in When Life Gives You Tangerines touched millions.

After more than a decade in the spotlight, IU once again etched her name into the history of the Korean entertainment industry. The summer of 2025 proved that her brilliance goes beyond music, lighting up the television screen as well. Within a single month, the singer-actress took home two prestigious honors: the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the 7th Newsis Hallyu Expo and the Best Actress trophy at the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards. These milestones raise the question—what makes her role as Oh Ae-soon in When Life Gives You Tangerines so extraordinary, and how does IU truly see the value of the trophies now shining in her collection? This article explores the stories behind the spotlight, the warmth of her fellow cast members, and the fresh hopes that continue to fuel IU’s journey.

Recognition at the Hallyu Expo: An Honor from the Government

On August 28, 2025, IU (Lee Ji-eun) attended the 7th Newsis Hallyu Expo, held at the Lotte Hotel Crystal Ballroom Hall in Seoul. This annual event is part of the 2025 K-Expo, a celebration of Korean pop culture featuring exhibitions, concerts, and awards honoring those who have advanced the global Hallyu wave. According to Newsis, IU received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for her role in Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines (also known as I Was Fooled).

The award was presented directly by the Ministry as a tribute to IU’s contributions in introducing Korean culture to the world. Newsis noted that in terms of popularity, IU successfully captured international audiences through her portrayal of Oh Ae-soon, a humble woman from Jeju Island. In her acceptance speech, IU expressed gratitude for the immense love fans showed toward Ae-soon and the drama’s other characters, adding that she hopes to repay that affection with even more meaningful performances.

Other stars were also recognized at the Hallyu Expo. Boy group ATEEZ and writer Park Cheon-hue received the Seoul Mayor’s Award, while actors Lee Joon-hyuk and Lee Ju-bin were honored with the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Award. Yet, IU remained the centerpiece of the night. Her recognition by the government highlighted how far she has come since debuting as a singer in 2008, proving her evolution into a national cultural ambassador.

A Historic Night at the Blue Dragon Series Awards

Less than a month after the Expo, IU made headlines once again. On July 18, 2025, the 4th Blue Dragon Series Awards took place at Paradise City in Incheon, hosted by Sports Chosun and dedicated to streaming platform productions. According to ChosunBiz, When Life Gives You Tangerines swept three awards, including the coveted Grand Prize (Daesang). IU herself won Best Actress for her dual roles as Oh Ae-soon and Yang Geum-myeong, earning widespread acclaim for her emotional range and transformative performance.

ChosunBiz also reported that Yeom Hye-ran, IU’s co-star, won Best Supporting Actress, while Ju Ji-hoon was named Best Actor for Netflix’s The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. When Life Gives You Tangerines also secured the Grand Prize for Best Drama, cementing its place as the top streaming series of 2025. Namaste Hallyu described the drama as one that “swept major honors, including the Daesang,” while noting that this was IU’s first-ever Best Actress win at the event.

In her interview with Sports Chosun after the ceremony, IU admitted how nervous she was when her name was announced. She had expected the production team to win the Grand Prize rather than receiving an individual honor. “When they called my name for Best Actress, my mind went blank and I almost cried,” she recalled. Fans watching live even commented they had never seen IU look so anxious before. Fortunately, veteran actress Yeom Hye-ran comforted her with a warm embrace before she went on stage, a gesture IU described as feeling just like her drama character Gwang-rye coming to life.

IU also reflected on what the Blue Dragon trophy means to her. Now celebrating her 17th debut anniversary, she has plenty of music trophies, but this one stands out as the most special because it came from her most challenging acting role to date. She revealed that she plans to keep the trophy in a private spot in her room as a reminder of the unforgettable moment. Instead of chasing more awards, IU said she’s more interested in discovering meaningful characters like Ae-soon. “I love Ae-soon so much that I worry whether I’ll ever meet another role that resonates as deeply,” she confessed. For now, she often re-watches her favorite episodes when she can’t sleep, as the drama remains a personal source of joy.

Fans and colleagues alike shared in the celebration. Many praised IU’s honesty in acknowledging her stage fright, while others were touched by her bond with Yeom Hye-ran. Actor Park Bo Gum and other cast members applauded proudly as IU delivered her acceptance speech, with social media soon flooded with congratulatory messages:

“Congratulations Queen, you truly deserve it so much 🎉👏🏻”

“So proud of you, congratulations sweetie 💜”

“I’m always proud of you my dear sister Ji-eun ❤️🥰 Congratulations 🎉 I love you!!!”

“Waaaaah, seriously congratulations!!!! Why are you this beautiful??!!! 😔💗💗💗”

“Congratulations my lovelyyy, I’m so proud of u”

What These Wins Mean for IU’s Career

IU’s dual triumphs marked a new chapter in her career. At the Hallyu Expo, she was officially recognized by the government as a cultural ambassador bringing Korea to the world. At the Blue Dragon Series Awards, she proved her ability to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest actors in the streaming era. These achievements also underscored Netflix’s dominance in Korean entertainment in 2025, with When Life Gives You Tangerines and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call both taking home three awards each.

Looking ahead, IU has confirmed she is preparing for her next drama. Yet, she admitted that Ae-soon will always hold a special place in her heart. For fans, this only strengthens their anticipation for what comes next. With recognition from both the government and the entertainment industry, IU has shown that an artist’s journey can transcend music, embracing acting and even cultural diplomacy.

Sources: ChosunBiz, Sports Chosun, Newsis, Namaste Hallyu