TBS's drama, NAOKI HANZAWA, won the Best Drama Series Award at the 19th Asian Television Awards.

Asian Television Awards is one of the most celebrated events in the Asian television industry, recognizing Asia's best in programming, production, and performance. 239 nominees across 38 categories from 13 countries were selected this year, and the winners were announced at the awards ceremony on December 11th at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. It is the second consecutive year that TBS wins this award following Tonbi (Black Kite).

NAOKI HANZAWA is based on a popular novel by award winning author, Jun Ikeido. The story depicts how Naoki Hanzawa, a chief loan officer at a megabank, faces various "enemies" inside and outside the bank, as he aims to climb up the corporate ladder with the ultimate goal of getting back at Senior Director Owada for taking his father's life.

The drama starred popular actors Masato Sakai, Aya Ueto, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, Kinya Kitaouji, and Teruyuki Kagawa. Viewership rating reached a sensational 42.2% (Video Research, Kanto Region) in its last episode, the highest this century on any drama aired by a commercial broadcaster. It became a social phenomenon last year, and this award will surely have people talking about the drama again.

■ Asian Television Awards

Organized by Contineo Media Interactive Network, Asian Television Awards was launched in 1996 to recognize excellence in Asian programming and production.

Broadcasters across Asia are eligible to enter the competition which is comprised of 38 different categories. An award is given to the "winner" and the "highly commended program" in each category.

Many TBS programs have won an award in the past. In 2010, JIN was highly commended in the Drama Series category. In 2011, The Soul of Reporting won the Best Documentary Series award. In 2012, Athletic Fire won the Best General Entertainment Award, and Tonbi (Black Kite) won the Best Drama Series Award last year.

■ Comment from producer, Hidenori Iyoda:

"Thank you very much. I am very honored to receive this prestigious award.

The intentions behind Hanzawa's trademark expression "baigaeshi" meaning "paying your enemies back double" represent the anger and disgruntlement which must be held back in daily corporate life. I think many people were able to release their pent-up feelings by watching Hanzawa use this expression to threaten his enemies. I am very grateful to the wonderful cast, to Jun Ikeido who provided us with such a masterpiece, and to all the staff. I hope to "pay them back double" for all their hard work and efforts. Thank you."