Fans question SBS after Lim Ji Yeon excluded from ‘Brave New World’ award

SBS is facing online criticism after actress Lim Ji Yeon was not included among the recipients of its special awards for the first half of 2026, despite leading the network’s hit drama 'Brave New World'.

On July 2 KST, SBS held its 2026 First Half Awards Ceremony at its headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul, recognizing actors, writers, and production staff who contributed to the network’s programming during the first half of the year.

In the drama category, actor Heo Nam Jun and writer Kang Hyun Joo of 'Brave New World' received special awards.

However, after the winners were announced, much of the online discussion shifted to Lim Ji Yeon’s absence from the list of honorees.

From its early planning stages, 'Brave New World' was promoted with Lim Ji Yeon as its central lead. The series revolved around the characters she portrayed, and her performance—balancing comedy and dramatic moments—was widely credited with driving the drama’s early buzz and popularity.

As a result, some viewers argued that if SBS intended to recognize a representative actor from the series, Lim Ji Yeon would have been the most expected choice.

The omission has led to online debate, with some describing it as a “lead actress snub” and questioning the network’s selection criteria. Others have noted that the special awards are determined by SBS and may consider a variety of factors beyond lead billing or screen time.

Neither SBS nor Lim Ji Yeon has publicly commented on the discussion.

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