Upcoming Baeksang Arts Awards Sparks Online Debate

As the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards draw nearer, the announcement of this year’s nominees on April 7 generated a mix of excitement and controversy. The nominees were chosen through an extensive evaluation process, emphasizing standout performances from the past year.

Divided Reactions to Nominations

Responses on social media swiftly reflected a divided sentiment among fans. Some expressed disappointment, feeling that the nominees overlooked more deserving talents. K-drama enthusiasts voiced their frustrations with what they deemed as predictable nominations. A few notable comments from fans included:

“No jeongnyeon is CRAZY”

“I keep on coming back to this sneak nomination, I mean since they are scared of a women centric drama (jeong nyeon) they should’ve at least gave the nom to light shop or judge from hell”posted one netizen.

“Are you seriously saying that #whenthephonerings and their cast didn’t deserve a single nomination?? I don’t want to mention other dramas now so as not to offend them, but apart from tangerines, there are some really weak dramas out there, it’s just funny”commented an X user.

“All the categories and actors the crazy one is Lim Jiyeon. She has a good eye for picking projects. Three years in a row her dramas have been nominated??”mentioned another user on X.

In contrast, supporters of the Baeksang lineup defended the nominees, emphasizing the representation of notable industry figures. They argued that the entries recognized the best talents and showcased remarkable shows. Comments like these illustrated fans’ enthusiasm:

“This Baeksang Awards are gonna be so fierce because all the shows and nominees are so good and worthy of the praise. I’m already sooo proud that Lovely Runner got 5 nominations, among best drama and best actor/actress. My lovrun family we’ve come so far!!!”shared one fan.

“Lovely runner, Doubt, The Trauma Code, When Life Gives You Tangerines! AWESOME DRAMAS THAT I LIKE ARE ALL GOOD, DAMN IT! Whoever wins, I will definitely support; honestly, WLGYT is another level and so relatable to our lives.”mentioned another enthusiastic fan.

Complete Nominee List for the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards

The complete list of nominees for various categories at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards has been released:

Best Actress – Television

Kim Tae-ri – Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born
Jang Na-ra – Good Partner
IU – When Life Gives You Tangerines
Kim Hye-yoon – Lovely Runner
Go Min-si – The Frog

Best Actor – Television

Ju Ji-hoon – The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call
Byeon Woo-seok – Lovely Runner
Han Suk-kyu – Doubt
Park Bo-gum – When Life Gives You Tangerines
Lee Jun-hyuk – Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard

Best Drama – Television

When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
Doubt (MBC)
Lovely Runner (tvN)
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Netflix)
The Tale of Lady Ok (JTBC)

Best Variety Program

Culinary Class Wars (Netflix)
Ajossi’s Later Life (Choo Sung-hoon)
Iron Girls (tvN)
Punghyanggo (DdeunDdeun)
Stage Fighter (Mnet)

Best Director – Television

Song Yeon-hwa – Doubt (MBC)
Kim Hee-won – Light Shop (Disney+)
Lee Do-yoon – The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Netflix)
Jung Ji-in – Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (tvN)
Kim Won-seok – When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)

Best Screenplay – Television

Choi Yoo-na – Good Partner (SBS)
Park Ji-sook – The Tale of Lady Ok (JTBC)
Kim Jung-min – Family Matters (Coupang Play)
Lim Sang-choon – When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
Lee Si-eun – Lovely Runner (tvN)

Best Supporting Actor – Television

Roh Jae-won – Squid Game season 2 (Netflix)
Choi Dae-hoon – When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
Kim Joon-han – Good Partner (SBS)
Hyun Bong-sik – Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard (TVING)
Yoon Kyung-ho – The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Netflix)

Best Supporting Actress – Television

Kim Jae-hwa – The Tale of Lady Ok (JTBC)
Yeom Hye-ran – When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
Oh Kyung-hwa – Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (tvN)
Kim Kuk-hee – Family Matters (Coupang Play)
Jung Eun-chae – Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (tvN)

Best New Actor – Television

Choo Young-woo – The Tale of Lady Ok (JTBC)
Cha Woo-min – Study Group (TVING)
Kim Jung-jin – Doubt (MBC)
Heo Nam-joon – Your Honor (Genie TV)
Song Geon-hee – Lovely Runner (tvN)

Best New Actress – Television

Chae Won-bin – Doubt (MBC)
Jo Yoon-soo – The Tyrant (Disney+)
Kim Tae-yeon – When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix)
Ha Young – The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Netflix)
Roh Jeong-eui – The Witch (Channel A)

Best Actor – Film

Lee Hee-joon – Handsome Guys
Yoon Joo-sang – The Land of Morning Calm
Hyun Bin – Harbin
Jo Jung-suk – Pilot
Lee Byung-hun – The Match

Best Actress – Film

Song Hye-kyo – Dark Nuns
Kim Geum-soon – Jeong Sun
Jeon Do-yeon – Revolver
Cho Yeo-jeong – Hidden Face
Kim Go-eun – Love in the Big City

Best Director – Film

Woo Min-ho – Harbin
Lee Jong-pil – Escape
Oh Seung-wook – Revolver
Lee Eon-hee – Love in the Big City
Park Yi-woong – The Land of Morning Calm

Best Screenplay – Film

Oh Jung-min – House of the Seasons
Oh Seung-wook & Joo Byeol – Revolver
Park Yi-woong – The Land of Morning Calm
Kim Hyung-joo & Yoon Jong-bin – The Match
Shin Chul & Park Chan-wook – Uprising

Best Supporting Actor – Film

Jo Woo-jin – Harbin
Park Jung-min – Uprising
Jung Hae-in – I, the Executioner
Koo Kyo-hwan – Escape
Yoo Jae-myung – Land of Happiness

Best Supporting Actress – Film

Jeon Yeo-bin – Dark Nuns
Lim Ji-yeon – Revolver
Gong Seung-yeon – Handsome Guys
Han Sun-hwa – Pilot
Soo-hyun – A Normal Family

Best New Actor – Film

Noh Sang-hyun – Love in the Big City
Jang Sung-beom – Work to Do
Moon Woo-jin – Dark Nuns
Jung Sung-il – Uprising
Kang Seung-ho – House of the Seasons

Best New Actress – Film

Lee Hye-ri – Victory
Park Ji-hyun – Hidden Face
Ha Seo-yoon – Streaming
Roh Yoon-seo – Hear Me: Our Summer
Lee Myung-ha – Mimang

Best Theatrical Performance – Theater

Gumi-sik
Jews of Malta
The Eldest Daughters
Jincheon Temple Recommended by Jincheon
Tungso-sori

Best Acting – Theater

Kwak Ji-sook – Jews of Malta
Lee Jin-kyung – Women on Earth
Jeong Sae-byul – Tungso-sori
Cho Young-kyu – Jincheon Temple Recommended by Jincheon
Choi Hee-jin – All

Young Theater Award – Theater

Theater Company Gongnori Club – Dried Pepper and Peach Scent Lipstick
Theater Company Universal Theater – Romance of Extinction
Theater Company Yuwon
Director Lee Seung-won – The Seagull
Director Lee Tae-rin – Korean Choi Young-woo, Born in 1923

The prestigious 61st Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony is set to take place in May 2025. Commencing at 8 PM KST, the event will be held at COEX D Hall in Gangnam, Seoul. Audiences can tune in for a live broadcast on JTBC, JTBC2, and JTBC4. This year, luxury brand Gucci will continue its collaboration with the Baeksang, acting as the official sponsor for the third consecutive year.

Source & Images