The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards have sparked disappointment among fans of Park Shin-hye’s drama The Judge from Hell, as the series received no nominations at this year’s prestigious event. The announcement, made on April 7, 2025, recognized a myriad of K-dramas, actors, and creators for their distinguished performances, yet failed to acknowledge the talents showcased in The Judge from Hell.
Starring Park Shin-hye alongside Kim Jae-young, the SBS drama garnered significant praise from both audiences and critics alike. Following the release of the nominations list, numerous fans expressed their outrage on social media, criticizing the Baeksang Arts Awards for overlooking The Judge from Hell‘s exceptional artistry and Park Shin-hye’s compelling portrayal of her character.
Many fans firmly believe that the drama deserved recognition in several categories, leaving them feeling dejected by its complete omission from the nomination roster. One fan articulated their frustration on X:
“The absence of ‘The Judge from Hell’ and Park Shin Hye from 61st Baeksang nominations is unexpected. Despite the series’ impressive performance, they didn’t give a single nomination! We’re robbed!”
The general sentiment among fans is that the awards’ nominations are unjust, with numerous voices echoing similar sentiments.
“Not even ONE nomination for #TheJudgeFromHell? Does Baeksang think it can rob a loaded house and no one will notice?”a fan stated.
“#TheJudgeFromHell was one of the most iconic dramas last year. I can’t help but feel it’s unfair for it to not be nominated,”another user expressed.
“Best actors, best drama, best script, best storyline, top-notch acting, and best cinematography. This drama deserves to be nominated, but not even in one category,”a netizen reacted.
“#TheJudgeFromHell didn’t get any Baeksang nominations? One of the best 2024 K-dramas getting snubbed,”a fan lamented.
Furthermore, Park Shin-hye’s portrayal has been specifically highlighted. Viewers noted her exceptional performance as Kang Bit-na, praising her skills and emotional depth.
“Park Shin-hye delivered one of the best performances in The Judge from Hell. She absolutely deserves a best actress nomination. If there is any justice, she will get it,”a user stated.
“I’m really disappointed because #ParkShinHye truly delivered an outstanding performance as Kang Bit-na. How #TheJudgeFromHell was completely sidelined is baffling; at least give her a nomination,”another user commented.
“#ParkShinHye deserved a nomination for best actress! She portrayed her character with such depth and skill, showcasing her veteran acting range. Additionally, #TheJudgeFromHell deserved nominations for best drama and best screenplay,”a netizen remarked.
Exploring The Judge from Hell: Unmatched Ratings and Critical Acclaim
The Judge from Hell follows the life of Kang Bit-na (played by Park Shin-hye), an elite judge who also possesses demonic powers to punish wrongdoers by sending them to hell. The plot thickens when she partners with Han Da-on (Kim Jae-young), a warm-hearted detective harboring his own hidden traumas.
This mini-series aired from September 21 to November 2, 2024, and achieved an impressive average viewership rating of 11.9% across its run. The finale made waves by becoming the most-watched mini-series episode of the entire week.
Notably, The Judge from Hell was recognized as the 6th best K-drama of 2024 according to TIME magazine and clinched numerous awards at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards, including accolades for Best Couple and Best Director.
For interested viewers, The Judge from Hell is available for streaming on Disney+.