'The King's Affection' makes history as first Korean drama to win at International Emmys
There's no stopping the Korean entertainment industry from making waves from the Oscars to the Billboards and now, at the International Emmy Awards. The latest addition to South Korea's growing list of works of art giving credit to the lcountry is the K-drama The King's Affection.
The historical romance series has made history by being the first Korean drama to win at the 50th Interntaional Emmy Awards held on Nov. 21 in New York.
The King's Affection took home the Best Telenovela award after competing against Brazil's Nos Tempos Do Imperador, Spain's Two Lives, and China's You Are My Hero.
The International Emmy for Telenovela goes to "Yeonmo [The King’s Affection]" produced by KBS / Arc Media / Monster Union / Netflix! #SouthKorea #iemmyWIN pic.twitter.com/NGQt9gexiM
— International Emmy Awards (@iemmys) November 22, 2022
Produced by local TV channel KBS2TV, the show stars Park Eun-bin (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) and Rowoon of K-pop boy group SF9. The story begins with the Crown Princess Consort giving birth to fraternal wins during the Josen Dynasty, when having twins was considered an ominous sign.
She then sends her baby daughter away to spare her life, with her son Prince Lee Hwi being killed in an accident years later. The Crown Princess Consort would hide her son's death by bringing her daughter back to the palace disguised as his deceased son.
Afraid to have her identity revealed, the daughter then avoids having a close relationship with anyone, including her teacher Jung Ji-Un whom she will start developing feelings for.
KBS Drama Center head Lee Geom Joon said that the show's win at this year's International Emmys gives him an "immense sense of responsibility during this time when K-content is receiving so much love around the world."
He vowed to do their best so that their network's dramas "can play a larger role in maintaining the potential of Korean [entertainment] content."