Behind the Glitz: The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards Stirs Controversy and Celebration

The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards: A Night of Surprises and Celebrations

The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony took place on May 5, 2025, at COEX D Hall in Gangnam, Seoul, bringing together the brightest stars of South Korea's entertainment industry. Hosted by the returning trio of Shin Dong Yup, Suzy, and Park Bo Gum, this prestigious event marked its 61st anniversary with significant changes, unexpected winners, and emotional moments that captivated audiences both in Korea and globally.

This year's ceremony introduced a notable change by renaming the former 'TV division' to 'broadcast division,' reflecting the evolving media landscape and opening the stage to content across all platforms, including websites and mobile streaming services. The adjustment acknowledges the shift from traditional cable or terrestrial television channels to a broader range of content delivery methods.

The awards were determined through strict screening conducted by 60 professional evaluators, judges in the industry, and a group of experts, maintaining the ceremony's reputation for credibility and fairness. The event was broadcast live on JTBC and multiple digital platforms including Prism, Naver TV, and Chzzzik, allowing fans worldwide to witness the celebration of Korean entertainment excellence.

Grand Prize Winners: Unexpected Choices That Made History

In a move that caught many by surprise, the Grand Prize in the television category went to Netflix's 'Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars.' Producer Kim Hak-min's acceptance speech revealed his own astonishment at receiving the honor, recalling how he had watched producer Na Young-seok win the same award a decade earlier from backstage, never imagining he would one day stand in the same position.

'I was here at the Baeksang Arts Awards 10 years ago, watching producer Na Young-seok win the Grand Prize from backstage,' Kim recalled during his emotional speech. 'I imagined what it'd be like winning the Grand Prize as a producer, thinking that it would never happen to me. Baeksang is really crazy - something unimaginable happened.'

In the film category, cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo received the Grand Prize for his remarkable work on 'Harbin.' During his acceptance speech, Hong shared insights about the challenging filming conditions faced by the crew in frigid locations across Mongolia, Latvia, and Korea, highlighting the strength and dedication that went into creating the visually stunning film.

These unexpected choices for the top honors reflect the Baeksang Arts Awards' willingness to recognize excellence across different aspects of production, not just focusing on the most commercially successful or popular works.

When Life Gives You Tangerines: The Night's Biggest Winner and Controversy

The drama 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' (also referred to as 'Bokssak Sogassuda' or 'You Have Done Well' in some translations) emerged as the most awarded program of the night, claiming four prestigious accolades: Best Drama, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Choi Dae Hoon, and Best Supporting Actress for Yeom Hye Ran.

Director Kim Won-seok accepted the Best Screenplay award on behalf of writer Im Sang Choon, expressing heartfelt gratitude while using his platform to address the current societal climate with a message of coexistence through his work. The drama, which had led with eight nominations (the most of any work), clearly resonated with the judges and was recognized for its storytelling excellence.

However, despite the drama's success, its lead actors IU and Park Bo Gum walked away empty-handed, creating one of the night's biggest controversies. Many fans had anticipated a sweeping night for the pair, given the depth and nuance of their performances. IU portrayed Ae-soon, a spirited woman navigating life's harsh tides with resilience, while Park Bo Gum delivered a quietly powerful performance as the steadfast and kind-hearted Gwan Sik.

The disappointment online was immediate and vocal, with fans across social media platforms calling it one of the 'biggest snubs of the century.' One post read, 'IU walking out empty-handed at Baeksang baffles me. She played two timelines and nailed both.' Another added, 'IU didn't lose the award - the award lost her.'

Kim Tae-ri's Triumph and Fan Reactions

The top honor for a female actor in the broadcasting category went to Kim Tae-ri, who earned the Best Actress award for her role in tvN period drama 'Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born' (2024). As her name was announced, cheers erupted across the auditorium with fans shouting her name, showing the strong support she has garnered for her performance.

While many lauded Kim Tae-ri's win as well-deserved, it also sparked debate among fans of IU, who had been considered a strong contender for the award. Some fans acknowledged Kim's talent while still expressing disappointment: 'Kim Tae-ri was great, as she always is; that's unquestionable! But IU truly deserved the Best Actress award. She has given a globally praised performance and played TWO very different roles with so many layers and so much depth. What more does she need to do to be respected as an actress?'

The Best Actor award went to Ju Ji Hoon for his performance in 'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call,' adding another prestigious accolade to his impressive career. Meanwhile, Yeom Hye-ran's win as Best Supporting Actress for 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' marked her second consecutive Baeksang award, following her 2024 win for 'Mask Girl.' During her emotional acceptance speech, she dedicated her win to her character's children while also honoring the late actor Kang Myung-joo.

Prizm Popularity Award: Lovely Runner's Historic Victory

While the main awards are determined by judges, the Prizm Popularity Award is decided by fan votes, and this year's results made history. 'Lovely Runner' stars Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon dominated the popularity contest, with Kim accumulating an unprecedented 7.8 million votes and Byeon receiving 2.4 million votes.

This remarkable achievement made them the first celebrities to surpass six million votes in the history of the prestigious award ceremony. The news of their win circulated rapidly on social media, with fans expressing pride in the duo's accomplishment and many hoping for a reunion of the beloved on-screen couple at the ceremony.

'MANIFESTING A WOOHYE REUNION FOR BAEKSANG. PLEASE. I'M SO HAPPY FOR MY LOVERUN BABIES,' wrote one excited fan on social media. Another commented, 'CONGRATULATION KIM HYEYOON AND BYEON WOOSEOK FOR WINNING BAEKSANG POPULAR AWARD.'

Some fans noted the symbolic timing of their win: 'You all know, right? Not only did we wait 5 years for this to happen in 2025, but the event also begins on May 5th...Believe it or not, the number 5 represents a new journey, important lessons, and adventure. Lovely Runner truly carries the essence of all for the actors, the team, and all of us.'

Changing Landscape of Korean Entertainment

This year's Baeksang Arts Awards highlighted the evolving landscape of Korean entertainment, particularly with YouTube channel Dden Dden's win for Best Scripted Variety & Reality Series for its 'Punghyanggo' series. This marked the second time a YouTube series claimed the honor, after 'Psick Show' won the title back in 2023, underscoring the growing influence of digital platforms in content creation.

The ceremony's decision to rename its television category to 'broadcasting' reflects this shift, acknowledging that quality content now comes from various sources beyond traditional TV networks. As Korean content continues to gain global traction, the scrutiny of dedicated fans toward the Baeksang Arts Awards has also grown, both at home and abroad.

During his acceptance speech, Director Kim Won-seok of 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' took the opportunity to address broader societal issues, including the upcoming presidential election. 'The time is coming for us to vote for a leader that meets the people's standard,' he said, adding, 'Let's vote for someone who is capable of being afraid of the people.' This moment highlighted how the platform provided by these prestigious awards can be used to speak to important national concerns.

The Best Female Entertainer award went to Lee Soo Ji, while Shin Dong Yup, one of the ceremony's hosts, was also recognized as Best Male Entertainer, showcasing the ceremony's appreciation for talent across different entertainment formats.

A Night to Remember: Beyond the Awards

Beyond the formal awards and speeches, the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards created numerous memorable moments that resonated with attendees and viewers. The ceremony served not only as a platform for recognition but also as a moment of tribute, with attendees remembering the late actor Kang Myung-joo and fondly recalling her contributions to the industry.

Throughout the night, excited outbursts from fans repeated whenever beloved stars like IU, Byeon Woo-seok, or actor Jeong Hae-in appeared on screen, demonstrating the passionate fan culture surrounding Korean entertainment. Yet not every fan left the venue satisfied, as some appeared to be visibly disappointed when their favorite stars went home empty-handed despite heightened anticipation, with one fan seen quietly crying with her friend.

Nevertheless, the crowd remained enthusiastic until the very end of the show, running toward the actors' section to get a glimpse of their favorite screen stars during the photo session after the livestream ended. Holding out light sticks and signs, they celebrated their beloved stars regardless of whether they won a trophy or not.

As Korean entertainment continues to captivate global audiences, the Baeksang Arts Awards stands as a testament to the industry's growth and evolution. The 61st ceremony, with its surprises, controversies, and emotional moments, will be remembered as another significant chapter in the ongoing story of Korean cultural influence worldwide.