Kim Tae-ri’s Win Over IU at Baeksang 2025 Sparks Heated Debate Online: Deserved or Not?
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, held on the night of May 5, continues to fuel lively discussion across Korean online communities — particularly surrounding one of the evening’s most talked-about results: Kim Tae-ri’s win over IU for Best Actress in Television.
Kim Tae-ri’s Win at Baeksang: Is it Surprising?
A viral post titled “Kim Tae-ri Beats IU to Win Best Actress at Baeksang — All for ‘Jeongnyeon’?” has gained over 90,000 views on the Korean forum Pann, becoming a focal point for both praise and controversy.
The original post highlighted a quote from Minshim News, which reported:
“Actress Kim Tae-ri’s victory for Best Actress in Television surprised many, especially given the strong competition from IU and Kim Hye-yoon. Her restrained and deeply nuanced performance in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born received widespread praise, ultimately earning her the trophy.”
He also added, “One line from Kim Tae-ri’s acceptance speech — “Imperfection was my romance” — struck a chord with viewers and has since been widely shared, cementing her performance’s emotional impact.”
Netizens’ Reactions
As expected with such a competitive category, the comments under the viral Pann post reflect a wide range of emotions, from support for Kim Tae-ri’s win to disappointment from IU’s fanbase.
Here’s a translated selection of the top-voted responses:
- “You seriously thought IU was going to win? That’s hilarious. So many people didn’t even watch it because they don’t like her acting, lol.”
- “The fact that IU was even nominated is impressive. But she’s not in the same league as Kim Tae-ri. Baeksang restored its credibility with this win.”
- “Didn’t Jeong Nyeon totally deserve it? The actors trained for years in voice and performance just to prepare for that role. It took way more passion and time than a typical drama.”
- “Just being in the same nominee group should be enough of an honor, no?”
- “Honestly, I think Baeksang did a good job this year — the awards felt fair.”
While IU’s performance in When Life Gives You Tangerines was a fan favorite, Kim Tae-ri’s committed and layered portrayal in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born clearly resonated with the Baeksang judges.
As netizens continue to debate the outcome, it’s clear that this year’s awards have struck a chord — and perhaps set a new standard for evaluating acting excellence in Korean television.
