The Korean Drama That Swept 5 Awards at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards, Beating 'When the Phone Rings' & 'Chief Detective 1958'

The spotlight is on Black Out (Snow White Must Die), the MBC drama that achieved a remarkable feat by winning five awards at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards, surpassing Knight Flower, which recorded the year’s highest terrestrial drama rating of 18.4%.

Airing on tvN, Knight Flower ranked second in 2024’s overall drama ratings, following tvN’s The Queen of Tears (24.9%). Yet, it was Black Out (Snow White Must Die) that dominated the MBC ceremony, securing victories in five categories, including Best Actor for Byun Yo-han, Newcomer Awards, Supporting Actor Awards (Male and Female), and Best Character Award.

Byun Yo-han, who played the ex-convict Ko Jung-woo wrongly accused of a mysterious murder, was praised for his nuanced portrayal of a decade-long psychological transformation. His deep gaze and compelling intensity earned him the Best Actor Award. In his acceptance speech, he said, “The true best actors are the colleagues I worked alongside. I will strive to deliver even better performances in the future.”

Meanwhile, Knight Flower also made a strong showing, winning four awards, including Best Actress in a Miniseries for Lee Ha-nee, who expressed gratitude for the recognition she received for her first post-childbirth project. She said, “I didn’t think I was someone who deserved this award, but thanks to the wonderful people I worked with and the support of the viewers, I stand here today.”

Another notable contender, When the Phone Rings, tied with Knight Flower, also taking home four awards, including Best Couple, Newcomer, and Excellence Awards.

The awards ceremony, which was pre-recorded due to the Jeju Air plane crash tragedy, honored Han Seok-kyu of Doubt with the Grand Prize, while veteran actor Choi Bul-am received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the late actress Kim Soo-mi was posthumously awarded a Special Appreciation Plaque.

Grand Prize: Han Seok-kyu (Doubt)

Best Actor in a Miniseries (Female): Lee Ha-nee (Knight Flower)

Best Actor in a Miniseries (Male): Yoo Yeon-seok (When the Phone Rings), Lee Je-hoon (Chief Detective 1958)

Best Actor in a Daily Drama (Female): Uhm Hyun-kyung (The Brave Yong Su-Jeong), Oh Seung-a (The Third Marriage)

Best Actor in a Daily Drama (Male): Seo Joon-young (The Brave Yong Su-Jeong)

Best Actor (Female): Kim Nam-joo (Wonderful World)

Best Actor (Male): Byun Yo-han (Black Out (Snow White Must Die))

Drama of the Year: Chief Detective 1958

Best Couple: Yoo Yeon-seok, Chae Soo-bin (When the Phone Rings)

Best Character: Jung Sang-hoon (I Hate Tonkatsu), Kwon Hae-hyo (Our House / Black Out (Snow White Must Die))

Lifetime Achievement Award: Choi Bul-am

Special Appreciation Plaque: Late Kim Soo-mi

Excellence in Acting (Miniseries, Female): Chae Soo-bin (When the Phone Rings)

Excellence in Acting (Miniseries, Male): Lee Dong-hwi (Chief Detective 1958), Lee Jong-won (Knight Flower)

Excellence in Acting (Daily Drama, Female): Oh Se-young (The Third Marriage)

Excellence in Acting (Daily Drama, Male): Moon Ji-hoo (The Third Marriage)

Supporting Actor (Female): Kim Mi-kyung (Knight Flower / Black Out (Snow White Must Die))

Supporting Actor (Male): Jo Jae-yoon (Knight Flower / Black Out (Snow White Must Die))

Newcomer (Female): Chae Won-bin (Doubt)

Newcomer (Male): Lee Ga-sub (Black Out (Snow White Must Die)), Heo Nam-joon (When the Phone Rings)