At the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, held on May 5 at COEX Hall D in Gangnam, Seoul, the ever-enigmatic writer Im Sang-chun, known for the deeply moving Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, won Best Screenplay in the television category—yet, true to form, did not appear to accept the award, further deepening the intrigue surrounding their identity.
Director Kim Won-seok, who directed the hit series, accepted the award on Im’s behalf. On stage, he shared the writer’s succinct yet heartfelt reaction:
“The writer couldn’t attend today due to ongoing work on their next project. When I asked if they had any words in case of a win, they simply said they were very thankful.”
Kim also offered a rare window into Im Sang-chun’s creative philosophy and emotional motivation:
“When we first began working on the drama, the writer said they didn’t care about fame. Their only wish was for viewers to feel like calling their parents after watching. That wish seems to have come true, and the writer was genuinely happy throughout the broadcast.”
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He continued, praising the script as the bedrock of the drama’s success:
“The writer was the beginning and end of this entire journey. Thanks to their writing, we worked with a cast full of gem-like actors. They said they wouldn’t get caught up in the excitement of awards, but would continue quietly doing their best behind the scenes. I’ll make sure the award is delivered safely.”
Kim Won-seok then named several staff members individually to express his gratitude — a rare and meaningful gesture in such a setting. He concluded his speech with a moving tribute:
“Lastly, I’d like to honor the late actress Kang Myung-joo, who gave us a gem of a performance.”
The mention of actress Kang Myung-joo, who passed away prior to the awards, cast a solemn and touching note over the joyous occasion, underscoring the emotional impact of When Life Gives You Tangerines and the collective effort behind its success.
Despite the immense critical and popular acclaim for When Life Gives You Tangerines, Im Sang-chun’s identity remains completely anonymous—with no public images or confirmed details about their gender or age. This quiet refusal of celebrity status has only added to the fascination, marking them as one of Korea’s most elusive yet impactful storytellers.