SBS Triumphs at Houston Film Festival with ‘The Judge from Hell’ and SDF 20th Special

At the 58th Houston International Film Festival, South Korea’s SBS made an extraordinary mark by winning awards for 12 productions, underscoring the global appeal and artistic excellence of Korean television storytelling.

The spotlight was on ‘The Judge from Hell’, directed by Park Jin-pyo, which received the prestigious Platinum Remi Award in the TV Special-Dramatic category. Airing from September 21 to November 2, 2024, the fantasy drama follows a gripping tale where a demon named Kang Bit-na inhabits the body of a judge and embarks on a moral journey after meeting a passionate human detective, Han Da-on. Combining chilling realism with fantasy, the series was lauded for its innovative concept, strong societal message, and powerful performances.

Another major win came from SBS Special’s 20th Anniversary special titled ‘The People Who Saw the Future’, which won the Platinum Remi Award in the Interview category. Directed by Lee Jung-ae, the two-part series, aired on November 6-7, 2024, examines the evolving survival strategies in an era of division and extinction. Through insightful interviews with past SDF speakers across diverse sectors, the program painted a compelling picture of Korea’s past, present, and future.

SBS also garnered seven Gold Awards for productions such as ‘SBS Special (Hakjeon and Behind-the-Scenes of Kim Min-ki)’, ‘Unanswered Questions (Ruth Yoon-hee and the Eleven Marks)’, ‘Spirit Possessed Love’, ‘Jungle Meal’, ‘Chaebol Detective’, ‘Deep Bag (North Korean Veterans and Korea-Russia Relations)’, and ‘Beamer Chronicle (Return After 80 Years)’. Silver Awards went to ‘The Tale That Bites Its Tail (Circus Girl)’ and ‘Please Take Care of the Education Cat (Video Mug)’, while ‘Neighborhood Hot Place 2’ won the Special Jury Award.

The Houston International Film Festival, often referred to as the Remi Awards, stands among North America’s leading TV industry festivals alongside New York and Banff TV Festivals. Known for launching the career of legendary director Steven Spielberg, the festival is considered one of the most prestigious in North America, on par with the Emmy Awards and Tony Awards.

SBS’s resounding success not only highlights the growing influence of K-content globally but also reinforces its commitment to tackling complex societal issues through compelling storytelling.