Controversy Erupts Over Kim Ji-won’s Baeksang Art Awards Snub
On April 12, 2025, Kim Ji-won, the lead actress in the acclaimed series Queen of Tears, found herself at the center of an uproar when she was controversially left out of the nominations for the 2025 Baeksang Art Awards. This decision, based on comments made by judge and pop culture critic Jeong Deok-hyeon, ignited passionate responses from her devoted fanbase who felt she was unjustly overlooked.
Judges’ Rationale Examined
Jeong Deok-hyeon explained that the reason for Kim’s omission stemmed from a belief that she “hadn’t really shined”within the series. He noted that many fans were puzzled over the nomination of Kim Soo-hyun, who had received recognition the previous year while Kim Ji-won remained unacknowledged in both 2024 and 2025.
During the 2024 awards, while some episodes of Queen of Tears were made available, it was too early for a proper evaluation of the series as a whole. Jeong remarked:
“When the first round of judging started, it started pretty early. Queen of Tears hadn’t even begun airing yet. So there was a lot of debate over whether to include it or not. Since it barely made the cutoff, there’s actually an original standard. If a certain percentage has aired, then it becomes eligible.”
Performance Comparisons and Growing Frustration
Jeong further remarked that Kim Soo-hyun’s performance appeared stronger even in the limited episodes that were available. This sparked a wave of discontent as fans highlighted that judging Kim Ji-won’s talent based solely on a few episodes was insufficient. In a startling turn, judges reportedly communicated with Kim Ji-won’s agency, expressing concerns that her performance did not meet the necessary criteria for a nomination.
“But it was difficult for us to judge it properly without having seen the full content. At the point we were watching it, the male lead’s performance stood out clearly, but Kim Ji-won’s hadn’t really shined yet on the video. That’s why she didn’t make it into the nominations. […] But awards like this, honestly, there’s a bit of luck involved.”
Broader Implications Raised
The exclusion of Kim Ji-won sparked a larger dialogue surrounding the treatment of female performances within the entertainment industry and the subjective criteria used when evaluating acting excellence. Criticism was particularly vocal on social media platforms where fans expressed their dismay, with one tweet highlighting how luck plays a disproportionate role in recognizing women’s achievements:
“Honestly, there’s a bit of luck involved.” and when it comes to women, they said it’s all about luck. Misogyny at its finest.
Emphasizing her talents, another fan stated:
“It’s sad and frustrating. And it’s not just because Kim Jiwon wasn’t nominated. She’s a versatile actress who always does well in every role. It’s unfair to say it’s just because the male lead is more popular. Talent should be recognized.”
Fan Backlash and Call for Equitable Recognition
The backlash against the Baeksang jury culminated in frustrations directed towards the perceived favoritism shown to male actors. Fans argued that the performances were more balanced than suggested, with one expressing:
“Huh? His acting was mid at most tbh, she carried the drama. To me, he was just pretty annoying but I continued to watch it just because of her.”
In the face of these disputes, many fans did not shy away from asserting the importance of deserving recognition, stating:
“If you can nominate THAT clown then she should also be eligible… the drama name is QUEEN of Tears not KING of Tears lol. Her performance stood out too… I’m glad at least she got many popularities but she deserved better.”
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Recognition in Film and Television
The ongoing debate about the nominations at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards serves as a crucial moment for understanding the disparities in recognition between male and female actors within the industry. Queen of Tears has not only achieved remarkable success, reaching a staggering viewership rating of 24.9%, but has also garnered international accolades such as Best Scriptwriting and Best Director at other prestigious awards.
Despite the outcry, the Baeksang Arts Awards committee has yet to comment publicly on the situation. With a selection process explicitly designed to ensure fairness and integrity, it remains to be seen how this controversy will influence future nominations and awareness within the industry.
For those interested in watching, Queen of Tears features a talented cast including Kim Ji-won, Lee Joo-bin, and Park Sung-hoon, is available for streaming on Netflix.