Kim Tae-ri Shines in Two Dresses and Wins Best Actress at 61st Baeksang Arts Awards for “Jeongnyeon”
Kim Tae-ri took home the Best Actress in Television award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards held on May 5, thanks to her powerful performance in the tvN drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born.
The Baeksang Arts Awards, founded in 1965, is one of Korea’s most prestigious general arts awards ceremonies, celebrating excellence across television, film, and theater. Kim’s recognition this year solidifies her growing influence both with viewers and critics alike.
In Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, Kim delivered a deeply moving portrayal of Yoon Jeong-nyeon, a naturally gifted performer who dreams of becoming a national theater (gukgeuk) star. With outstanding vocal and acting performances, Kim captivated viewers of all ages, earning acclaim for bringing a lesser-known genre and historical period to life.
Notably, her role in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born has also contributed to a renewed interest in Korean women’s traditional theater, further underlining the cultural impact of her work.
On stage, Kim expressed her gratitude, saying:
“It was an honor to be able to portray the most glorious era of women’s gukgeuk and to be able to live within that world.”
She continued, “I tried hard not to compromise. It wasn’t the perfect answer by any means, but that was my sense of romance at the time. Thinking of the parts I lacked as part of that romance is a way of expressing my desire to do better next time.”
She concluded, “I will work to become an actress who’s not ashamed of her ambition to do well, and who uses that ambition as a driving force.”
This win marks Kim Tae-ri’s second Baeksang Best Actress trophy, following her 2022 win for Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and proves once again the depth and range of her talent.
Adding to her presence on the night was her standout fashion — Kim stunned the red carpet and stage alike in two elegant dress changes, further cementing her status as both an acting and style icon.
Up next, Kim will appear in Korea’s first-ever Netflix animated feature film “Lost in Starlight”, set to premiere globally on May 30.