The announcement of nominations for the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards has sent ripples through the Korean entertainment community, transforming what should be a celebration of artistic achievement into a heated debate about recognition and representation. As South Korea’s most prestigious entertainment awards ceremony, the Baeksang Arts Awards hold tremendous significance for actors, directors, and production teams across television, film, and theater. This year’s nominations, revealed on April 7, 2025, have proven particularly contentious, with social media platforms erupting in passionate discussions about perceived snubs and unexpected inclusions.
At the center of the controversy is the omission of critically acclaimed drama “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” from the Best Drama category, despite its lead actress Kim Tae-ri securing a nomination. As fans and industry insiders alike scrutinize the full nomination list, questions arise about the selection criteria and whether certain productions have been unfairly overlooked in what promises to be one of the most debated Baeksang ceremonies in recent memory.
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Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Fan Outrage and Celebration Over Controversial Nominations
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards nominations have ignited a firestorm of reactions across social media platforms, with Korean drama enthusiasts passionately defending their favorite productions while questioning the judgment of the selection committee. The most vocal protests center around “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,” a critically acclaimed period drama that secured nominations for Kim Tae-ri (Best Actress) and director Jung Ji-in, yet was surprisingly absent from the Best Drama category. This omission has become a rallying cry for disappointed viewers, with “No jeongnyeon is CRAZY” emerging as a common sentiment across platforms.
The controversy extends beyond a single production, with many fans expressing disbelief at the complete absence of nominations for popular thriller “When The Phone Rings.” One viewer pointedly remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “Are you seriously saying that #whenthephonerings and their cast didn’t deserve a single nomination?? I don’t want to mention other dramas now so as not to offend them, but apart from tangerines, there are some really weak dramas out there, it’s just funny.” This sentiment reflects a broader frustration about perceived inconsistencies in the nomination process.
Not all reactions have been negative, however. Many fans have celebrated the strong showing for romantic drama “Lovely Runner,” which garnered five nominations including Best Drama, Best Actor for Byeon Woo-seok, and Best Actress for Kim Hye-yoon. One enthusiastic supporter wrote, “This Baeksang Awards are gonna be so fierce because all the shows and nominees are so good and worthy of the praise. I’m already sooo proud that Lovely Runner got 5 nominations, among best drama and best actor/actress. My lovrun family we’ve come so far!!!”
| Drama Title | Total Nominations | Categories |
|---|---|---|
| When Life Gives You Tangerines | 6 | Best Drama, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress |
| Lovely Runner | 5 | Best Drama, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Best New Actor |
| The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call | 4 | Best Drama, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor |
| Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born | 3 | Best Actress, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (2) |
| Doubt | 3 | Best Drama, Best Actor, Best Director |
Netflix has emerged as a dominant force in this year’s nominations, with “When Life Gives You Tangerines” leading the pack with six nominations across major categories. The streaming giant’s “The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call” also secured four nominations, highlighting the platform’s growing influence in Korean television production. Traditional broadcasters maintain a strong presence as well, with tvN’s “Lovely Runner” and MBC’s “Doubt” both competing for Best Drama.
In the film categories, “Revolver” and “Harbin” have emerged as frontrunners with multiple nominations each. Particular attention has focused on Lim Ji-yeon’s supporting actress nomination for “Revolver,” with one fan noting, “All the categories and actors the crazy one is lim jiyeon. she has a good eye for picking projects. three years in a row her dramas has been nominated??”
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony is scheduled for May 2025 at COEX D Hall in Gangnam, Seoul. Viewers can watch the event live on JTBC, JTBC2, and JTBC4, with luxury brand Gucci continuing its partnership as the official sponsor for the third consecutive year. As the ceremony approaches, debate about the nominations is likely to intensify, with fans eagerly anticipating whether their favorites will triumph despite the controversies surrounding the selection process.
For many international K-drama enthusiasts, the Baeksang Awards serve as a guide to must-watch content from the past year. Despite the controversies, the nominations spotlight an impressive array of productions across multiple platforms, highlighting the continued global expansion and artistic evolution of Korean entertainment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” missing from the Best Drama nominations despite critical acclaim?
The absence of “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” from the Best Drama category despite Kim Tae-ri’s Best Actress nomination and Jung Ji-in’s Best Director nod has become the central controversy of the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. While the Baeksang committee doesn’t publicly explain their nomination decisions, industry analysts point to several potential factors. First, the competition was exceptionally fierce this year, with over 200 dramas eligible for consideration across traditional broadcasters and streaming platforms. Second, “Jeongnyeon” may have been disadvantaged by its historical drama format, as contemporary stories like “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Lovely Runner” dominated the nominations.
Third, despite critical acclaim, “Jeongnyeon” saw modest domestic ratings compared to some competitors, potentially influencing the committee’s perception of its overall impact. Finally, some industry observers have noted a potential bias toward ensemble-driven narratives over productions centered on strong female leads, a critique that has dogged Korean award shows historically. Regardless of the reasoning, the omission has sparked important conversations about recognition criteria and representation in Korea’s premiere entertainment awards.
How does the Baeksang Arts Awards selection process work, and who decides the nominations?
The Baeksang Arts Awards employs a rigorous multi-stage selection process overseen by an independent committee of industry professionals, critics, and academics. For the 61st awards, the committee evaluated content released between April 2024 and March 2025 across television, film, and theater categories. In the initial phase, committee members individually review eligible submissions and create preliminary nomination lists. These lists are then compared and discussed in a series of closed-door sessions where consensus nominations are determined. For television categories, the committee considers factors including artistic achievement, technical excellence, cultural impact, and innovation within the medium.
Contrary to some misconceptions, commercial success (ratings or box office performance) is just one consideration rather than a determining factor. The final nomination decisions remain confidential, with committee members signing non-disclosure agreements to maintain the integrity of the process. This opacity, while designed to protect committee independence, contributes to the controversies that often follow nomination announcements when seemingly deserving works are excluded. The winners are determined through a separate voting process that occurs after the nominations are announced, with results revealed during the May ceremony.
