Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Complete Winners List and Star-Studded Highlights from Korean Entertainment’s Biggest Night

The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, held on the evening of May 5, 2025, at COEX Hall D in Gangnam, Seoul, once again proved why it remains the most prestigious celebration in Korean entertainment. With A-list stars, critically acclaimed projects, and breathtaking red carpet moments, the event delivered one of the most competitive lineups in years.

Hosted by Shin Dong-yup, Suzy, and Park Bo-gum, the awards honored outstanding achievements across film, television, and theater, with results that sparked both joy and heated debate across social media platforms.



Television Category Highlights
- Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines emerged as the biggest TV winner with 4 major awards, including Best Drama. Director Kim Won-seok thanked the team and honored late actress Kang Myung-joo, calling her performance “a gem.”
Best Lead Actor (TV)
- Kim Tae-ri (Jeong Nyeon: The Star Is Born) and Joo Ji-hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call) won the top acting honors. Joo remarked, “I’m just accepting this on behalf of everyone — this couldn’t be done alone.”
Best Screenplay (TV)
- Anonymous writer Im Sang-chun (When Life Gives You Tangerines) was honored. Director Kim Won-seok accepted the award, explaining Im’s absence due to writing their next project.
Best Supporting Actor (TV)
- Tangerines stars Yum Hye-ran and Choi Dae-hoon swept both supporting categories. Yum brought IU to tears with her emotional speech: “Ae-soon, your mom just won an award!” Choi added, “Whenever you’re down, shout, ‘Mr. Hak!’”
Best New Actor (TV)
- Chae Won-bin (Doubt) and Choo Young-woo (The Tale of Lady Ok) were honored. Chae thanked co-star Han Suk-kyu, while Choo expressed his hope to make his struggling mother smile.
Prism Popularity Awards (Fan-Voted)
- Lovely Runner’s Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon were crowned the fan favorites, reflecting the continued charm of the “SolSeon Couple.”
Best Variety Performance
- Lee Soo-ji and Shin Dong-yup won in the variety categories. Shin linked his win to the year’s theme, “To Navigate, To Sail,” pledging to be a guiding figure for younger entertainers.
Best Variety Show
- Pung Hyang GO won Variety Program of the Year.
Best Theater Production
- The Sound of the Flute, directed by Ko Sun-woong, won the Baeksang Theater Award. Ko emphasized care for ordinary citizens: “May those in power truly love the people.”
Film Category Highlights
Best Film
- Harbin took home the Best Film award, solidifying its cinematic impact.
Best Lead Actor (Film)
- Jeon Do-yeon (Revolver) and Jo Jung-suk (Pilot) claimed the top acting honors. Both appeared visibly shocked and moved, with co-stars Lim Ji-yeon and Han Sun-hwa seen tearfully congratulating them.
Best Screenplay (Film)
- Uprising writers Shin Chul and Park Chan-wook received the award. Park Chan-wook’s speech drew attention for connecting the film’s themes to current global crises, stating, “Brave, wise citizens save a nation in crisis.”
Gucci Impact Award
- Park Yi-woong (The Land of The Morning Calm) won for its social relevance, reflecting on the film’s quiet release following a national emergency: “Many didn’t even know the film existed. This award means even more now.”
Best Supporting Actor (Film)
- Claudia Kim (A Normal Family) and Yoo Jae-myung (Land of Happiness) were honored. Yoo emotionally recalled working with the late Lee Sun-kyun and co-star Jo Jung-suk.
🌱 Best New Actor (Film)
Jung Sung-il and Roh Yoon-seo won. Jung called it “a special gift for grown-ups on Children’s Day,” while Roh used sign language to express her passion for film.
Daesang (Grand Prize)
Film: Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo (Harbin)
Television: Culinary Class Wars
This year’s Daesang honors—awarded to cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo for the film Harbin and to the television program Culinary Class Wars—were met with widespread approval from audiences and industry insiders alike. In particular, the decision to recognize Culinary Class Wars as the top honor in the television category was applauded for celebrating creativity and cultural relevance in variety programming.




Final Results
Television Category Highlights
Daesang (Grand Prize): Culinary Class Wars
Best Drama: When Life Gives You Tangerines
Best Actress: Kim Tae-ri (Jeong Nyeon: The Star Is Born)
Best Actor: Joo Ji-hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call)
Best Supporting Actress: Yum Hye-ran (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
Best Supporting Actor: Choi Dae-hoon (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
Best New Actress: Chae Won-bin (Doubt)
Best New Actor: Choo Young-woo (The Tale of Lady Ok)
Best Screenplay: Lim Sang-choon (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
Best Director: Song Yeon-hwa (Doubt)
Popularity Awards (TV): Kim Hye-yoon & Byeon Woo-seok
Best Technical Achievement Award: Jeong Nyeon: The Star Is Born
Film Category Highlights
Daesang (Grand Prize): Harbin
Best Film: Harbin
Best Actress: Jeon Do-yeon (Revolver)
Best Actor: Jo Jung-suk (Pilot)
Best Supporting Actress: Claudia Kim (A Normal Family)
Best Supporting Actor: Yoo Jae-myung (Land of Happiness)
Best New Actress: Roh Yoon-seo (Hear Me: Our Summer)
Best New Actor: Jung Sung-il (Uprising)
Best Director: Oh Seung-uk (Revolver)
Best New Director: Oh Jung-min (House of the Seasons)
Best Screenplay: Shin Chul & Park Chan-wook (Uprising)
Best Technical Direction: Jo Young-wook (Uprising)
Gucci Impact Award: The Land of The Morning Calm
Across the board, the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards were praised for delivering fair, well-deserved outcomes, with winners that truly reflected the evolving landscape of Korean entertainment.