61st Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: “When Life Gives You Tangerines” vs. “Culinary Class Wars” Lead Nominations
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, one of South Korea’s most prestigious honors in television, film, and theater, will be held today, May 5, 2025, at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul. Hosted by veteran MCs Shin Dong-yup, Suzy, and Park Bo-gum, this year’s ceremony promises a night filled with excitement, glamour, and tough competition.
Fierce Competition in the Drama Category
The Best Drama category showcases some of the most buzzworthy series of the year. Nominees include:
- “When Life Gives You Tangerines” (Netflix)
- “Lovely Runner” (tvN)
- “The Tale of Lady Ok” (JTBC)
- “Doubt” (MBC)
- “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” (Netflix)
Each drama represents the growing diversity and sophistication of Korean storytelling, reflecting both domestic trends and global interest.
Variety and Documentary Contenders
In the Best Entertainment Program category, shows like “Iron Girls” (tvN) and “Culinary Class Wars” (Netflix) stand out for their innovation and mass appeal. Meanwhile, the Best Educational Show nominees include EBS’s “Where Is My Last Home?” and TVING’s “Shaman: Whispers from the Dead,” offering impactful stories grounded in social awareness.
Star-Studded Acting Nominations
The Best Actor (TV) category pits five powerhouse performers against each other:
- Park Bo-gum (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- Byun Woo-seok (Lovely Runner)
- Lee Joon-hyuk (Dongjae, The Good or the Bastard)
- Joo Ji-hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call)
- Han Seok-kyu (Doubt)
For Best Actress, the competition includes:
- Go Min-si (The Frog)
- Kim Tae-ri (Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born)
- Kim Hye-yoon (Lovely Runner)
- IU (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
- Jang Na-ra (Good Partner)
These nominations highlight performances that have resonated deeply with both critics and audiences.
Breakthrough Talent and Artistic Vision
This year’s Best New Actor and Actress categories spotlight rising stars such as Kim Tae-yeon and Song Geon-hee, signaling the future of K-drama. Behind the scenes, directors like Kim Won-seok (“When Life Gives You Tangerines”) and Lee Young-joo (“Culinary Class Wars”) are recognized for their artistic vision in categories like Best Director and Best Art Direction.
Innovation and Inclusivity
The Baeksang Arts Awards continues to evolve with the content landscape. For 2025, the “TV” division has been renamed “Broadcast,” acknowledging the rise of OTT platforms. The inclusion of creators and diverse media reflects the ceremony’s commitment to recognizing the full scope of Korean entertainment.
A special highlight is the Gucci Impact Award, introduced to honor content that addresses social fairness and community issues—a nod to storytelling that transcends entertainment.
Stay tuned to JTBC and online platforms such as Naver TV and Chizichic for live coverage and winner announcements as Korea celebrates its creative best at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards.
