Jeon Do-yeon Wins Baeksang 2025 Best Actress in Film Despite Divisive Reception of “Revolver”
At the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards held on May 5, 2025, at COEX D Hall in Seoul, Jeon Do-yeon took home Best Actress in Film for her role in Revolver, beating out top-tier nominees like Song Hye-kyo and Kim Go-eun.
This marks Jeon Do-yeon’s second win in this category after her acclaimed performance in Secret Sunshine in 2008. Revolver also earned Best Director for Oh Seung-wook, signaling strong critical recognition. Yet, despite its accolades, the film has sparked divided reactions among general audiences, particularly for its storytelling and artistic style.
A Noir Tale That Split the Audience
Revolver is Oh Seung-uk’s third feature, following Kilimanjaro (2000) and The Shameless (2015). The story follows Ha Soo-young (Jeon Do-yeon), a former detective who takes the fall and serves prison time on behalf of her superior and lover, Chief Lim (Lee Jung-jae). Upon her release, she learns she’s been betrayed and begins a search for the truth, fueled by a broken promise from Andy (Ji Chang-wook) involving a hefty payout.
The film leans heavily into noir elements, with a slow, introspective pace and muted emotional tone. Director Oh’s minimalist storytelling builds a somber, tense atmosphere—but this style has proven polarizing. On CGV, Revolver scored a Golden Egg Index of 74%, falling short of more commercially friendly films like Pilot.
Some viewers panned the film for a disjointed plot, underdeveloped supporting characters, and sluggish pacing. A particularly scathing review on Naver Movie read, “I wanted to shoot one of the two remaining bullets at the screen, and the other at myself for sitting through it.”
Others complained about narrative confusion, “The film introduced too many characters and plot threads, but resolved none of them.” As of August 14, 2024, the film had only sold 226,986 tickets and grossed $1.7 million USD at the Korean box office.
Jeon Do-yeon Carries “Revolver” on Her Shoulders
With a career spanning over three decades, Jeon Do-yeon has long been revered as one of South Korea’s finest actors, known for her emotional depth and transformative performances. In Revolver, she eschews melodrama and monologues for a cold, subdued portrayal that relies on internalized pain and nuanced restraint.
Her character, Ha Soo-young, isn’t just a revenge-seeking ex-cop—she’s a woman emotionally paralyzed by betrayal and loss. From the moment she’s released from prison, she barely utters a full sentence. Her lifeless gaze and frozen expressions become the film’s quiet force. Director Oh described his vision, “I wanted her to be silent and still, like a forgotten gun,” and Jeon realized that image with chilling precision.
While opinions on Revolver remain divided, critics unanimously agree that Jeon Do-yeon’s performance is the film’s anchor. **Screen Anarchy **wrote, “Jeon Do-yeon keeps you glued to the screen, even during the film’s weakest scenes. Few actors can hold an audience’s attention for five uninterrupted minutes without speaking—she’s one of them.”
Some viewers argued that the role didn’t fully showcase Jeon Do-yeon’s emotional range, especially when compared to past works like The Housemaid or Secret Sunshine, and considered the Baeksang win a “safe” choice over younger stars like** Kim Go-eun**. Others, however, praised Jeon Do-yeon’s minimalist, tightly controlled performance as proof of her mastery in nuanced acting.
At 52, Jeon Do-yeon has little left to prove. She no longer needs to cry beautifully or scream loudly to be convincing. Instead, she retreats from the noise, allowing the character to breathe in her own rhythm—a quiet, personal one.
Her Best Actress win at Baeksang 2025 is not only well-deserved, but a reaffirmation: true excellence in acting isn’t about standing out—it’s about disappearing into the role.