Israeli TV drama series wins top prize at Seoul International Drama Awards

Israeli television drama “Prisoners of War” won the grand prize at this year’s Seoul International Drama Awards.

The series, originally broadcast on Israel’s Channel 2 from March to May 2010, features three Israeli soldiers who were captured almost 20 years ago while on a mission with their unit in Lebanon. It won the Israeli Academy Awards for Television for Best Drama Series back in 2010.

In the hallyu drama section, MBC’s 2012 period horror-romance “Arang and the Magistrate” won the Best Drama Series award. Actor Lee Joon-gi, who played the protagonist in the show, won the Best Actor prize for his role.

The Best Actress prize was given to actress Suzy, who played the lead in this year’s fusion martial arts fantasy drama “Gu Family Book.” In the series, she played Dam Yeo-wool, a martial arts instructor who falls in love with Kang-chi, a half-man, half-divine creature who longs to become fully human.

This year’s edition, celebrating its eighth anniversary, was hosted by Korean-born actress Kim Yun-jin, who is also enjoying a successful career in the U.S.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)