K-Drama Stars Kim Yoo-jung and Byun Woo-seok Among Contenders in Six Categories... Voting Closes on the 16th

Global fandom platform UPICK has launched official preliminary voting for the '2026 DANAL APAN STAR AWARDS,' featuring fierce competition among leading K-drama actors.

The preliminary round encompasses six categories: Popularity Award (Male and Female), Global Star Award, Best OST Award, Best Couple Award, and All-Around Icon Award. The star-studded nominee list includes Kim Yoo-jung, Park Jin-young, Choo Young-woo, Kim So-hyun, Park Si-woo, Kim Yoon-sik, Kim Young-kwang, Chae Soo-bin, Byun Woo-seok, Jang Ki-yong, Chae Jong-hyeop, and Heo Nam-joon, all of whom have made waves both in Korea and internationally.

'100 Days of Lies' star Kim Yoo-jung is up for the Global Star Award and Best Couple Award alongside Park Jin-young. Choo Young-woo from 'Doctor of Love' scored nominations in three categories: Best Couple Award with Kim So-hyun, Male Actor Popularity Award, and Global Star Award. 'Proposal of the Prosecutor's Office' co-stars Park Si-woo and Kim Yoon-sik are vying for both the Male Actor Popularity Award and Best Couple Award.

Stars from globally popular series are also in the running. Kim Young-kwang and Chae Soo-bin, leads of 'Charge Me Up' - which ranked second among non-English Netflix shows and hit top 10 in 64 countries - are competing for the Best Couple Award. Fresh off a fan meeting in Jakarta, Byun Woo-seok is neck-and-neck with pan-Asian favorite Jang Ki-yong for the Global Star Award. Meanwhile, Chae Jong-hyeop and 'Wonderful New World' star Heo Nam-joon are locked in a tight race for the Male Actor Popularity Award.

The selection process for finalists combines votes from UPICK and IdolChamp, each weighted at 50%. The top 20 individuals or teams in each category will advance to the finals. Voting for this preliminary round wraps up on the 16th.

The '2026 DANAL APAN STAR AWARDS' main ceremony is set for December 23 at Seoul's Sangmyung Art Center Gye-dang Hall, with live coverage on tvN.