"Descendants of the Sun" and "The Legend of the Blue Sea" were both nominated as Drama of the Year at the 12th Annual Soompi Awards. Based on the votes from hallyu fans from 139 countries across the globe, the award was given to the latter.
The winners of the annual survey with 29 categories were announced on March 2, Thursday, by Soompi. With Fuse and ZANYBROS as partners, the United States-based online news provider specializing in Korean pop culture received almost 100 million votes from Dec. 19, 2016 to Jan. 16.
Aside from "Descendants of the Sun," 13 other drama series lost to "The Legend of the Sea" in the Drama of the Year category. These were "Another Oh Hae Young," "Cheese in the Trap," "Doctors," "Don't Dare to Dream," "Mirror of the Witch," "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds," "Reply 1988," "Romantic Doctor Kim," "Scarlet Heart: Goryeo," "Signal," "Uncontrollably Fond," "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo" and "W."
"The Legend of the Blue Sea" stars Lee Min Ho and Jun Ji Hyun were voted the Spottoon Best Couple. The former was named Actor of the Year beating Eric Mun, Jang Hyuk, Ji Sung, Jo Jin Woong, Kim Rae Won, Kim Woo Bin, Lee Joon Gi, Seo In Guk and Park Hae Jin.
The Actress of the Year award was given to Song Joong Ki's "Descendants of the Sun" co-star Song Hye Kyo. She was chosen over IU, UEE, Gong Hyo Jin, Han Hyo Joo, Kim So Hyun, Kim Yoo Jung, Park Shin Hye, Seo Hyun Jin and Min Ho's girlfriend Suzy.
A week before the announcement of the winners of the 12th Annual Soompi Awards, Min Ho made headlines after donating approximately $44,000 to child abuse victims. With the help of his fans and his donation platform Promiz, the actor raised the amount from Jan. 16 to Jan 26.
"The money will be used for children who have gone through domestic violence," a representative from the nongovernmental organization Good Neighbors told Korea Herald. "It will help them receive psychological therapy and help them with their heating bills at home."
Watch a video of 12th Annual Soompi Awards here: