The streaming world just crowned its champions! The Global OTT Awards 2025 concluded with spectacular wins at the Busan Cinema Center on August 24, celebrating the finest in digital entertainment. From Bai Jingting’s emotional triumph in “The First Frost” to IU’s Netflix sensation “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” this year’s ceremony showcased the incredible diversity and quality of global streaming content.
Organized by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT alongside Busan Metropolitan City, the awards highlighted how streaming platforms are revolutionizing entertainment consumption worldwide.
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Major Category Winners OTT : The Stars Who Stole the Show
The 2025 ceremony delivered some incredible surprises and well-deserved recognition across multiple streaming platforms. Actor Kang You Seok was present at the ceremony, thanking his Resident Playlist co-star Han Yeji for her hard work!
Best Creative went to “When Life Gives You Tangerines” on Netflix, beating strong competition from “Black Warrant” and “Mad Unicorn.” The IU-Park Bo Gum collaboration proved that romantic comedies still have massive global appeal.
Best OTT Original was claimed by “Nine Puzzles” on Disney+, showcasing the platform’s commitment to innovative storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.
Complete Winners Breakdown
| Category | Winner | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Best Creative | When Life Gives You Tangerines | Netflix |
| Best OTT Original | Nine Puzzles | Disney+ |
| Best Asian Content | The Outlaw Doctor | PTS Taiwan |
| Best Reality & Variety | WORLD OF STREET WOMAN FIGHTER | TVING |
| Best Director | Yao Xiaofeng (Northward) | iQIYI |
| Best Writer | Im Sang Chun (When Life Gives You Tangerines) | Netflix |
| Best Lead Actor (Male) | Sakaguchi Kentaro (What Comes After Love) | Coupang Play |
| Best Lead Actor (Female) | Park Eun Bin (Hyper Knife) | Disney+ |
| People’s Choice Award | Bai Jingting & Bai Lu | Youku/iQIYI |
The Breakout Stars: Rising Talent Recognition
The awards celebrated fresh faces making waves in the streaming world. Kang You Seok won Best Newcomer (Male) for “Resident Playbook” on tvN, while Suri Lin claimed Best Newcomer (Female) for “Born for the Spotlight” on Netflix.
These wins highlight how streaming platforms are becoming launching pads for emerging talent, providing opportunities that traditional broadcasting might not offer.
Platform Powerhouses: Netflix vs. Asian Streaming Giants
Netflix dominated with multiple wins, particularly “When Life Gives You Tangerines” sweeping creative categories. However, Asian platforms like iQIYI, Youku, and TVING proved their growing influence with significant victories.
The diversity of winning platforms demonstrates the truly global nature of streaming excellence, with content from South Korea, China, Taiwan, and beyond earning recognition.
Technical Excellence and Innovation
Best Visual Effects went to “I Am Nobody: The Showdown Between Yin & Yang” on Youku, showcasing how streaming content now rivals theatrical releases in production value.
Best Original Song was claimed by “Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle?” on TBS, with Ado’s “Elf” capturing hearts worldwide.
For more insights on streaming industry trends and technological innovations, check out our comprehensive OTT platform analysis.
Genre Diversity: From Romance to Reality
The awards celebrated incredible genre diversity, from romantic dramas like “The First Frost” to reality competitions like “WORLD OF STREET WOMAN FIGHTER.” This variety reflects streaming platforms’ ability to cater to every viewer preference.
Asian content particularly shined, with “The Outlaw Doctor” from PTS Taiwan winning Best Asian Content, proving regional storytelling has universal appeal.
The Global Impact: Streaming Without Borders
Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards is an awards ceremony organized by Busan International Film Festival and Korea Radio Promotion Association. Formerly known as Asia Contents Awards, it is an annual event inaugurated in 2019.
The ceremony represents the evolution from regional recognition to global celebration, reflecting how streaming has dissolved geographical boundaries in entertainment consumption.
For the latest updates on international entertainment awards and streaming content, explore our global entertainment coverage.
What These Wins Mean for the Future
These victories signal several important trends: the continued rise of Asian content globally, the maturation of streaming-original programming, and the importance of diverse storytelling in capturing worldwide audiences.
The success of shows like “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “The First Frost” proves that quality content transcends language barriers when supported by proper platform distribution.
Looking Ahead: The Streaming Revolution Continues
As we celebrate these 2025 winners, it’s clear that streaming platforms are not just entertainment distributors – they’re becoming the primary drivers of global pop culture.
With the ceremony hosted at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival venue, the Global OTT Awards continue to elevate streaming content to the same prestigious level as traditional cinema.
The diverse winner list demonstrates that great storytelling, compelling performances, and technical innovation know no borders in today’s interconnected streaming landscape.
Stay updated with the latest streaming content winners and entertainment industry developments as the Global OTT Awards continue celebrating digital storytelling excellence!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which show won the most awards at Global OTT Awards 2025?
A: “When Life Gives You Tangerines” on Netflix emerged as the biggest winner, claiming Best Creative, Best Writer (Im Sang Chun), and Best Supporting Actor (Female) for Yeom Hye Ran. The IU-Park Bo Gum romance dominated multiple categories, showcasing Netflix’s investment in quality Korean content paying off globally.
Q: How are the Global OTT Awards different from other entertainment awards?
A: The Global OTT Awards specifically celebrate streaming-exclusive content across all platforms, from Netflix to regional services like iQIYI and TVING. Unlike traditional awards that focus on theatrical releases or broadcast television, these awards recognize the unique storytelling opportunities and global reach that streaming platforms provide, making them particularly relevant in today’s digital-first entertainment landscape.
