KBS is facing questions about fairness after including actors from its upcoming historical drama Sword & Silence in a recommendation survey for the 2026 KBS Drama Awards, even though the series had not yet premiered.
On November 3, KBS invited entertainment reporters to participate in a survey recommending candidates for this year's acting awards.
However, the list reportedly included several actors from Sword & Silence and KBS Drama Special 2026 – Sound:Track, raising concerns about how participants could evaluate performances they had not yet seen.
The original survey deadline was November 12 at 5 PM KST, two days before Sword & Silence was scheduled to premiere on November 14 and six days before Sound:Track on November 18.
The situation drew particular attention because Sword & Silence, starring Lee Hyun Wook, Jang Hyuk, Kim Kang Woo, and Park Sung Woong, is one of KBS's biggest productions, with a reported budget of approximately 30 billion won.
Some observers questioned whether including the drama before its premiere could give it an unfair advantage in the awards process. However, there has been no confirmed evidence that KBS intended to favor the production.
Following the criticism, KBS announced on November 13 that it had extended the survey deadline to November 30 at 9 AM KST.
The broadcaster explained that the ongoing survey was only the first step in recommending potential nominees, rather than the final selection of award candidates.
KBS stated, “The final nominees will be determined through a meeting of KBS Drama Center chief producers based on the survey results.”
The network also explained that it conducts recommendation surveys every November to allow enough time to prepare video presentations and coordinate appearances for the awards ceremony.
Regarding the extension, KBS said the new deadline would give participants an opportunity to watch both dramas before submitting their recommendations.
The broadcaster emphasized that the 2026 KBS Drama Awards, scheduled for December 31, will recognize performances from dramas aired during 2026.
While KBS has clarified its selection process and extended the voting period, the situation has raised questions about how broadcasters should handle awards consideration for dramas that premiere late in the year.
With Sword & Silence set to begin airing on November 14, attention is now turning to how KBS will ensure fairness and transparency in the final nomination process.
KBS is facing questions about fairness after including actors from its upcoming historical drama Sword & Silence in a recommendation survey for the 2026 KBS Drama Awards, even though the series had not yet premiered.
On November 3, KBS invited entertainment reporters to participate in a survey recommending candidates for this year's acting awards.
However, the list reportedly included several actors from Sword & Silence and KBS Drama Special 2026 – Sound:Track, raising concerns about how participants could evaluate performances they had not yet seen.
The original survey deadline was November 12 at 5 PM KST, two days before Sword & Silence was scheduled to premiere on November 14 and six days before Sound:Track on November 18.
The situation drew particular attention because Sword & Silence, starring Lee Hyun Wook, Jang Hyuk, Kim Kang Woo, and Park Sung Woong, is one of KBS's biggest productions, with a reported budget of approximately 30 billion won.
Some observers questioned whether including the drama before its premiere could give it an unfair advantage in the awards process. However, there has been no confirmed evidence that KBS intended to favor the production.
Following the criticism, KBS announced on November 13 that it had extended the survey deadline to November 30 at 9 AM KST.
The broadcaster explained that the ongoing survey was only the first step in recommending potential nominees, rather than the final selection of award candidates.
KBS stated, “The final nominees will be determined through a meeting of KBS Drama Center chief producers based on the survey results.”
The network also explained that it conducts recommendation surveys every November to allow enough time to prepare video presentations and coordinate appearances for the awards ceremony.
Regarding the extension, KBS said the new deadline would give participants an opportunity to watch both dramas before submitting their recommendations.
The broadcaster emphasized that the 2026 KBS Drama Awards, scheduled for December 31, will recognize performances from dramas aired during 2026.
While KBS has clarified its selection process and extended the voting period, the situation has raised questions about how broadcasters should handle awards consideration for dramas that premiere late in the year.
With Sword & Silence set to begin airing on November 14, attention is now turning to how KBS will ensure fairness and transparency in the final nomination process.
