In 2021, The Good Doctor achieved another milestone in its journey from acclaimed medical drama to worldwide cultural touchstone, winning the Most Popular Foreign Drama of the Year at the Seoul International Drama Awards. This honor, determined by international viewership and fan engagement, underscored the show’s remarkable ability to resonate deeply with audiences thousands of miles away from its original broadcast home.
For viewers in South Korea—and across Asia—this win was more than just an acknowledgment of strong ratings. It was a celebration of storytelling that bridges continents, languages, and cultural contexts. In regions where discussions around neurodiversity were only beginning to gain mainstream visibility, The Good Doctor brought Dr. Shaun Murphy’s journey into living rooms and hearts, fostering empathy and understanding in ways that felt fresh and necessary. The series offered a lens through which audiences could see autism and savant syndrome not as limitations, but as facets of human diversity worthy of respect and admiration.
The victory also highlighted how the show’s themes—perseverance against the odds, the quiet power of compassion, and the courage to be authentically oneself—are not confined to any one culture. Whether in Seoul, São Paulo, or San Francisco, viewers found something personal in Shaun’s struggles and triumphs, making his story universally relatable.
For the cast and crew, receiving this recognition from an international award body was both humbling and energizing. It reaffirmed their commitment to crafting a series that entertains while challenging perceptions, proving that when a story speaks to the human condition, it can transcend any boundary. The Seoul International Drama Award win stands as a testament to The Good Doctor’s place in the global television landscape—not just as a medical drama, but as a conversation starter, an empathy builder, and a beacon of inclusive storytelling.
