The entertainment world is buzzing as the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards 2025 prepares for its 61st ceremony this spring. On Monday, organizers revealed the highly anticipated list of nominees for the 2025 event, with Netflix’s breakout K-drama, “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” dominating the television categories with an impressive eight nominations.
Date & Time of Baeksang Arts Awards 2025
The much-awaited Baeksang Arts Awards 2025 will take place on May 5, 2025, at 8 p.m. KST and 7 a.m. ET and 4 a.m. PT. The event will be broadcast live on JTBC, allowing fans worldwide to witness South Korea’s equivalent of the Emmy and Oscar awards combined.
This year’s ceremony will honor outstanding achievements in film and television released between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, highlighting the remarkable growth of Korean entertainment on the global stage.
When Life Gives You Tangerines nominations for 61st Baeksang Arts Awards:
Best Picture (Drama)
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Actor – Park Bogum
Best Actress – IU
Best Supporting Actor – Choi Dae hoon
Best Supporting Actress – Yeom Hye-ran
Best New Actress – Kim Taeyeon pic.twitter.com/vtfd9q0Qsf— 🍊 (@iujieuniee) April 7, 2025
Nominees of 61st Baeksang Arts Awards in Television
Drama Heavyweights Face Off
The Best Drama category features intense competition this year, with five exceptional contenders:
- “When Life Gives You Tangerines“ (Netflix): The dramedy starring Park Bo Gum and IU has captured hearts globally with its unique blend of humor and emotional depth
- “Lovely Runner” (tvN): The time-travel romance featuring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon has garnered critical acclaim
- “The Tale of Lady Ok” (JTBC): A historical drama that reimagines traditional Korean storytelling
- “Doubt” (MBC): A psychological thriller that kept viewers on the edge of their seats
- “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” (Netflix): A medical drama starring Ju Ji Hoon that delves into the psychological toll of emergency medicine
Acting Categories Showcase Exceptional Talent
The Best Actor category presents a formidable lineup including Park Bo Gum, Byeon Woo Seok, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jun Hyuk, and veteran actor Han Suk Kyu. Similarly, the Best Actress category brings together powerhouse performers Kim Tae Ri, Kim Hye Yoon, IU, Go Min Si, and Jang Nara.
Particularly noteworthy is the Best New Actress category, featuring breakthrough performances from Kim Tae Yeon (“When Life Gives You Tangerines”), Roh Jeong Eui (“The Witch”), Jo Yoon Soo (“The Tyrant”), Chae Won Bin (“Doubt”), and Ha Young (“The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call”).
Variety and Educational Shows
The ceremony will also recognize excellence in non-scripted content with categories for Best Variety Show and Best Educational Show. Notable nominees include “Iron Girls” (tvN), “Stage Fighter” (Mnet), and “Culinary Class Wars” (Netflix) in the variety category, while educational content like “Shaman: Whispers from the dead” (TVING) and “Special-Hakjeon” (SBS) compete for recognition.
#LovelyRunner has officially made it to the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards!
The drama is nominated for Best Drama, and the amazing team is being recognized too:#ByeonWooSeok – Best Actor#KimHyeYoon – Best Actress#SongGeonHee – Best New Actor#LeeSiEun – Best Screenplay
Proud! pic.twitter.com/qjdNfuHPH0
— ً (@wooseokfiles) April 7, 2025
Film Category: A Year of Cinematic Excellence
Diverse Storytelling Takes Center Stage
The film category reflects the rich diversity of Korean cinema, with Best Film nominees spanning various genres and themes:
- “Love in the Big City”: A poignant adaptation of the bestselling novel by Park Sang Young
- “Revolver”: A noir thriller featuring Jeon Do Yeon in a career-defining role
- “House of the Seasons”: A contemplative drama exploring family dynamics
- “Uprising”: A historical epic that reimagines a pivotal moment in Korean history
- “Harbin”: A period spy thriller starring Hyun Bin that has garnered international attention
Star Power in Film Categories
The acting categories in film showcase established stars and emerging talents alike. Hyun Bin, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Hee Joon, Yoon Joo Sang and Jo Jung Suk, compete for Best Actor, while the Best Actress category features Kim Go Eun, Song Hye Kyo, Kim Geum Soon, Cho Yeo Jeong and Jeon Do Yeon
The supporting categories highlight performers who delivered scene-stealing turns, including Jung Hae In, Jo Woo Jin, Lim Ji Yeon, and Jeon Yeo Been.
The Gucci Impact Award: Recognizing Social Relevance
In a continued partnership with the luxury brand, the Baeksang Arts Awards will present the Gucci Impact Award to films addressing significant social issues. Nominees include “Blesser,” “Love in the Big City,” “The Voices of The Silenced,” “The Land of Morning Calm,” and “Jeong-Sun.”
