Song Hye-kyo and Jung In-sun Join Netizen Awards Race
This September’s Netizen Awards are proving to be more dramatic than a K-drama finale. With Kim Hye-yoon leading the pack in the Best Actress category, two names are stirring the pot: timeless superstar Song Hye-kyo and rising darling Jung In-sun. One’s making a long-awaited return. The other? Diving into the awards race for the very first time. And K-drama fans have plenty to say.
Kim Hye-yoon dominates—but is it still anyone’s game?
As of September 4, 2025, 4:18 PM KST, Kim Hye-yoon is the undisputed queen bee with 3,034 votes, pulling in over 53.1% of total ballots. That’s more than half the hive, making her the front-runner by a landslide.
But here’s where the plot thickens: each month brings new contenders, making even the surest bets feel shaky. Enter: Jung In-sun and Song Hye-kyo, two actresses with very different trajectories—and the potential to shift the vote dynamics altogether.
Jung In-sun: The bright rookie with quiet ambition
Debuting on the Netizen Awards ballot at 13th with 31 votes (0.5%), Jung In-sun isn’t exactly crashing the gates. But seasoned fans know that early numbers rarely paint the full picture. With her warm screen presence and growing fanbase, Jung’s inclusion is more strategic than symbolic.
“She’s like a stealthy underdog,” one Twitter fan wrote. “The calm before the Jung In-sun storm.”
- Ranked 13th with 0.5% (as of Sept. 4)
- First-time nominee in the Netizen Awards
- Fans hope for viral momentum via SNS campaigns
While her odds may seem slim, early-stage support can evolve quickly—especially if fandoms mobilize and push visibility across social platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Song Hye-kyo: A comeback that’s rewriting the script
In the land of K-drama royalty, Song Hye-kyo needs no introduction. Even though she sits at 15th place with 23 votes (0.4%), her name alone is enough to send ripples through the rankings chart.
This marks her return to the Netizen Awards after a hiatus, and like any great K-drama protagonist, she’s using presence as a power move.
“The queen is back, and just wait until the fandom rallies,” one comment read on Korean fan site DC Inside. “This is her warm-up episode.”
- Ranked 15th with 0.4% (as of Sept. 4)
- Returning to the Netizen Awards after several years
- A longtime favorite from dramas like The Glory and Descendants of the Sun
Song’s appearance is less about immediate dominance and more about re-igniting fan enthusiasm. It’s a slow burn—but the kind that could spark a late-game surge if viewers rally behind her comeback arc.
The Netizen Awards: More than just a popularity contest
The Netizen Awards have become a monthly pulse check on Korea’s vibrant entertainment industry. Unlike traditional accolades, they’re 100% fan-powered. That means unpredictable plot twists are always on the table—just like your favorite makjang drama (yes, that’s the over-the-top genre that gives us betrayal, amnesia, and secret twins).
With new names added every month and returning celebs charging up their fan bases, the Best Actress field is anything but static.
Who stands out this month? Jung In-sun’s fresh relevance and Song Hye-kyo’s star power make them powerful narratives amidst the voting heat.
What’s next for the two contenders?
Both actresses have opportunities to climb—but the route is different. Jung In-sun needs her fans to get loud online, drumming up votes and hashtag traction. Song Hye-kyo, meanwhile, thrives on legacy support from decades-loyal fans who might just be biding their time before an eleventh-hour push.
Either way, their presence alone is a win—for diversity, for competition, and for drama-lovers cheering from every corner of the globe.
FAQs
Who is leading the Netizen Awards Best Actress category in September 2025?
Kim Hye-yoon is currently leading the votes by a wide margin, owning over 53% of the ballot. Her strong fandom and recent high-profile roles have kept her at the top.
Why is Song Hye-kyo’s participation significant?
Even with a low ranking, Song Hye-kyo’s return to the Netizen Awards signals her renewed engagement with fans. Her history as a beloved K-drama icon gives her strong rebound potential.
How can Jung In-sun improve her position?
Jung In-sun could rise in the rankings if her fans coordinate effective online campaigns. Her growing popularity and recent projects give her room to surprise voters.
