Baeksang 2025’s Most Talked-About Moment: Childhood Photos Spark Frenzy — Byeon Woo-seok Melts Hearts, Lee Byung-hun’s Reaction Stuns Viewers
In a never-before-seen twist at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, held on May 5 at COEX Hall D in Seoul, organizers surprised both the audience and celebrities with a live childhood photo challenge — instantly turning the prestigious ceremony into a viral sensation across Asia.
Timed to coincide with Children’s Day in South Korea, the lighthearted intermission game saw photos of actors as children flash across the giant screen, with viewers challenged to guess who’s who. The spontaneous activity drew delight from fans and left some stars hilariously flustered in real time.
From Adorable to Awkward: How Stars Reacted
Lee Byung-hun, one of Korea’s most respected actors, may have had the most unintentionally comic moment of the night. When his childhood photo appeared, his reaction went instantly viral. Fans joked that Lee Byung-hun appeared frozen in time — his smile stiff, his expression unreadable, as if caught off guard by the sudden replay of such a deeply personal memory in the middle of the ceremony.
On the other hand, Byeon Woo-seok took the spotlight with charm and humor. His throwback image — featuring a cheeky pose — prompted him to instantly mimic the same pose on camera, winning over fans with his boyish energy and proving that his mischievous charm has remained intact since childhood.
Childhood Visuals: Then and Now
Other stars also had their pasts publicly revealed in the most delightful way:
- Kim Tae-ri smiled ear to ear when her childhood photo — featuring her with two ponytails — appeared onscreen. Her facial features were so consistent that fans immediately recognized her.
- Kim Go-eun‘s round baby cheeks and individualistic style were evident even in her early years. Her timeless look drew affectionate laughs and applause.
- Hyun Bong-sik, revealed as the sweet-faced newborn in one image, burst into laughter upon his reveal. Fans were touched by his playful reaction and visibly amused demeanor.
Viewers praised the Baeksang team for injecting fun and personality into the ceremony, balancing the usual glamor with nostalgia and humor. This unorthodox yet heartwarming move added a human touch to Korea’s most prestigious entertainment awards.
From Lee Byung-hun’s “frozen shock” to Byeon Woo-seok’s effortless charm, Baeksang 2025 reminded fans that behind every star is a kid who once dreamed big — and now, shines even brighter.
