The Fiercest Best Actress Showdown Yet at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards: No Weak Links, Only Powerhouses
As the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards approach, one category has audiences and critics equally on edge: Best Actress in a Television Drama. With five phenomenal nominees, each bringing a standout performance across genres and platforms, this year’s competition is shaping up to be the most thrilling yet. The consensus? “A win for any of them would be legendary.”
Go Min-si – The Frog
Go Min-si delivered a chillingly poised performance as Yoo Seong-ah in Netflix’s psychological thriller “The Frog.” Her portrayal of a woman returning to the scene of a murder she committed, carrying both guilt and eerie calm, captivated viewers. Her subtle yet intense expressions added an atmospheric weight to the drama, further solidifying her as a rising force in thrillers.
Kim Tae-ri – Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born
In tvN’s period drama “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,” Kim Tae-ri transformed into a post-war dreamer aspiring to be a gukgeuk actress. With a deeply immersive performance that included a perfected dialect and years of vocal training, Kim carried the series on her shoulders. Critics hailed her as having “completely embodied” the role, proving yet again why she’s one of Korea’s most respected young actresses. Critics hailed her as having “completely embodied” the role, proving yet again why she’s one of Korea’s most respected young actresses.
Kim Hye-yoon – Lovely Runner
In the emotional time-travel drama “Lovely Runner”, Kim Hye-yoon won hearts as Im Sol, a devoted fan determined to rewrite fate. Her seamless portrayal of youthful joy, heartbreak, and resolve across timelines brought audiences to tears. Her seamless portrayal of youthful joy, heartbreak, and resolve across timelines brought audiences to tears. Her emotionally layered acting, especially in the final episodes, has kept the drama trending long after its finale.
IU – When Life Gives You Tangerines
Proving her versatility, IU took on dual roles in “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” as both rebellious teenager Ae-soon and her grown daughter Geum-myeong. She masterfully navigated generational trauma and growth, while her on-screen chemistry with Park Bo-gum earned praise for its emotional authenticity. Many are calling it her best performance to date. Many are calling it her best performance to date.
Jang Na-ra – Good Partner
Veteran actress Jang Na-ra returned to the spotlight with her role as Cha Eun-kyung, a hard-nosed divorce lawyer in SBS’s “Good Partner.” Balancing courtroom fierceness with raw emotional empathy, she portrayed a deeply complex character. Her performance already earned her the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards, cementing her place among this year’s top contenders. Her performance already earned her the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards, cementing her place among this year’s top contenders.
With no clear front-runner and each nominee offering something distinct and exceptional, fans are calling this year’s Best Actress category “the toughest decision yet.” Whether it’s the raw intensity of Go Min-si, the elegance of Kim Tae-ri, the emotional range of Kim Hye-yoon, the duality of IU, or the depth of Jang Na-ra, any of these actresses taking home the trophy would be historic.
The countdown to the Baeksang Arts Awards has begun, and all eyes are on this powerhouse lineup. Who will claim the crown? K-drama fans around the world are holding their breath.