Baeksang’s Unexpected Choices: Not Hyun Bin But Hong Kyung-pyo, Not “When Life Gives You Tangerines” But “Culinary Class Wars”
The ceremony was held on May 5 at COEX D Hall in Gangnam, Seoul and was hosted by Shin Dong Yup, Suzy and Park Bo Gum.
In the film category, Harbin won Best Film. Meanwhile, Uprising claimed three awards: Best Screenplay (Shin Chul, Park Chan Wook), Best Technical Achievement (music director Jo Yeong Wook) and Best New Actor (Jung Sung Il).
Jo Jung Suk (Pilot) and Jeon Do Yeon (Revolver) took home Best Actor and Best Actress respectively, while Revolver director Oh Seung Uk won Best Director. Yoo Jae Myung (Land of Happiness) and Claudia Kim (A Normal Family) won Best Supporting Actor and Actress.
In a surprising move, the Grand Prize went to Hong Kyung-pyo, the cinematographer of Harbin — a departure from the usual practice of awarding directors, lead actors or the film itself. However, this outcome was seen as justifiable. While the stellar performances and historical subject matter of Harbin impressed, it was the striking mise-en-scène and visual storytelling that truly stood out. Hong captured the 1909 journey of independence fighters across Mongolia and Latvia with powerful contrasts and evocative lighting, especially in scenes highlighting Ahn Jung Geun’s inner turmoil.
In television, Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines won four awards: Best Drama, Best Screenplay (Lim Sang Choon) and Best Supporting Actor and Actress (Choi Dae Hoon, Yeom Hye Ran).
Best Actor and Best Actress in TV went to Ju Ji Hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call) and Kim Tae Ri (Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born). Rookie awards went to Chae Won Bin (Doubt) and Choo Young Woo (The Tale of Lady Ok).
The Grand Prize in television was awarded to Culinary Class Wars, a Netflix variety program featuring competitions among 100 chefs. Its viral success brought forth new celebrity chefs and popular catchphrases, and Season 2 is now in production.
Traditionally, the Grand Prize in television is awarded to popular dramas or leading actors, so many had predicted wins for When Life Gives You Tangerines. The result was unexpected, but not unwelcome.
This year’s Baeksang Arts Awards considered content released between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, across terrestrial TV, cable, streaming platforms, Korean films and plays.