The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards Unveils Full List of Nominees Across Broadcast, Film, Theater, and Musical Categories.
The prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards, often hailed as South Korea’s equivalent of the Golden Globes for its comprehensive recognition of excellence across television, film, and theater, has officially announced the full list of nominees for its 62nd ceremony. The highly anticipated nominations span across Broadcast, Film, Theater, and Musical categories, celebrating the finest productions and performances that graced the Korean entertainment landscape between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. This period marks another vibrant year for the industry, showcasing a remarkable blend of established talent and groundbreaking newcomers, pushing creative boundaries across all media. The grand awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 8, 2026, at 7:50 PM KST (5:50 PM WIB), and will be broadcast live to a nationwide audience via JTBC, promising an evening of glamour, suspense, and well-deserved recognition.
The Enduring Legacy and Significance of the Baeksang Arts Awards
Established in 1965, the Baeksang Arts Awards has long stood as a pillar in the Korean cultural sphere, dedicated to promoting the development of Korean popular culture and arts. Its unique position in acknowledging achievements across such a broad spectrum – from blockbuster films and critically acclaimed television dramas to innovative theatrical productions and captivating musicals – underscores its immense influence. Unlike other awards that might specialize in film or television, Baeksang provides a holistic view of the creative output of the nation, making a nomination, let alone a win, a significant career milestone for any artist or production team. The awards not only celebrate past successes but also often serve as a barometer for future trends, spotlighting emerging talent and innovative storytelling techniques that shape the industry’s trajectory. This year’s nominations further solidify Baeksang’s reputation for recognizing artistic merit, commercial success, and cultural impact.
A Deep Dive into the Broadcast Television Nominations
The television landscape in South Korea has seen an explosion of content in recent years, fueled by the global demand for K-dramas and the proliferation of streaming platforms. The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards’ broadcast nominations reflect this rich diversity, highlighting series that captivated audiences with compelling narratives, stellar performances, and impeccable production values.
Best Drama Category: A Fierce Battle for the Top Honor
The competition for Best Drama is particularly intense, featuring a mix of genres and thematic explorations. Nominees include the critically acclaimed Our Unwritten Seoul, the evocative The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, the poignant You and Everything Else, the gritty Low Life, and the charming Bon Appetit, Your Majesty. Our Unwritten Seoul and You and Everything Else appear to be strong contenders, garnering multiple nominations across various individual categories, signaling their comprehensive excellence. Industry pundits suggest that the winner will likely be a show that not only achieved high viewership but also sparked significant cultural conversation and demonstrated exceptional artistic integrity.
Directorial and Screenwriting Excellence in Television
The backbone of any compelling drama lies in its direction and script. The Best Director category recognizes the visionaries behind the camera: Park Shin Woo for Our Unwritten Seoul, Woo Min Ho for Made in Korea, Yoo Young Eun for Can This Love Be Translated?, Jo Yeong Min for You and Everything Else, and Jo Hyun Tack for The Dream Life of Mr. Kim. Similarly, the Best Screenplay nominations highlight the masterful storytellers: Kwon Jong Kwan for The Price of Confession, Song Hye Jin for You and Everything Else, Lee Kang for Our Unwritten Seoul, Lee Seon for To My Beloved Thief, and Chu Song Yeon for The Art of Sarah. The presence of multiple nominees from the same acclaimed dramas across these categories underscores the strength of their collaborative creative teams.
Acting Prowess: A Star-Studded Lineup
The acting categories are, as always, a major draw, showcasing a mix of veteran powerhouses and beloved Hallyu stars.
For Best Actor, the nominees are Ryu Seung Ryong for his transformative role in The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, Park Jinyoung for his nuanced performance in Our Unwritten Seoul, Lee Junho for Typhoon Family, Ji Sung for The Judge Returns, and Hyun Bin for Made in Korea. This category brings together actors known for their versatility and ability to command the screen.
The Best Actress category is equally competitive, featuring Kim Go Eun for You and Everything Else, Park Bo Young for Our Unwritten Seoul, Park Ji Hyun also for You and Everything Else, Shin Hae Sun for The Art of Sarah, and Lim Yoona for Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. The dual nomination for actresses from You and Everything Else highlights the strong ensemble performances in the series.
In the supporting roles, Kim Gun Woo (You and Everything Else), Yoo Seung Mok (The Dream Life of Mr. Kim), Yoo Jae Myung (Love Me), Jang Seung Jo (As You Stood By), and Jin Sun Kyu (Aema) vie for Best Supporting Actor. For Best Supporting Actress, Myung Se Bin (The Dream Life of Mr. Kim), Won Mi Kyung (Our Unwritten Seoul), Lee Yi Dam (The Art of Sarah), Lim Soo Jung (Low Life), and Ha Yoon Kyung (Undercover Miss Hong) have been recognized. These categories often highlight performances that elevate the entire production, even in a secondary capacity.
Emerging Talents and Technical Mastery
The Baeksang Arts Awards also champions new blood, with the Best New Actor and Actress categories celebrating rising stars. Nominees for Best New Actor include Kim Jin Wook (Low Life), Bae Na Ra (Weak Hero Class 2), Lee Chae Min (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty), Jung Jun Won (Resident Playbook), and Hong Min Ki (To My Beloved Thief). For Best New Actress, Kim Min (Low Life), Bang Hyo Rin (Aema), Shin Sia (Resident Playbook), Jeon So Young (Honour), and Choi Ji Su (Undercover Miss Hong) are recognized for their impactful debuts.
Technical achievements are also vital, and the Technical Achievement category acknowledges the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Nominations include Kang Seung Won (music for The Seasons), Kim Nam Sik (VFX for Low Life), Kim Tae Sung (cinematography for Made in Korea), Eom Seong Tak (cinematography for You and Everything Else), and Yoon Jin Hee (art direction for Crime Scene Zero). These nominations underscore the intricate craftsmanship that contributes to a drama’s overall quality.
Variety and Educational Programs, and Comedic Talent
Beyond dramas, Baeksang also celebrates other television formats. Best Variety Show nominees include Extreme84, The Wonder Coach, The Ballad of Us, The White Collars 2, and Culinary Class Wars 2. For Best Educational Program, The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies, The Talent War, Our Shining Days, The Holy Elements, and The Strange Vet in the Strange Zoo are recognized for their informative and engaging content.
Finally, the Best Male Comedian and Best Female Comedian categories honor those who bring laughter and wit to the screen, featuring popular personalities like Kwak Beom, Kian84, Kim Won Hun, Lee Seo Jin, Choo Sung Hoon for men, and Kim Yeon Koung, Seol In Ah, Lee Soo Ji, Jang Do Yeon, Hong Jin Kyung for women.
Excellence in Korean Cinema: The Film Categories
The Korean film industry continues to command global attention, with its distinctive storytelling, powerful performances, and innovative cinematography. The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards’ film nominations reflect a year of compelling narratives and artistic triumphs.
Best Film: A Spectrum of Cinematic Vision
The coveted Best Film award sees five diverse and impactful productions vying for the top honor: The Final Semester, Good News, The World of Love, No Other Choice, and The King’s Warden. No Other Choice and The King’s Warden are particularly prominent, receiving numerous nominations across various categories, indicating their strong critical reception and comprehensive artistic quality. These films represent a cross-section of genres, from thrillers to poignant dramas, showcasing the breadth of Korean filmmaking.
Visionary Directors and Promising Newcomers
The directorial talent in Korean cinema remains unparalleled. The Best Director nominees are Kim Do Young for Once We Were Us, Park Chan Wook for No Other Choice, Byun Sung Hyun for Good News, Yoon Ga Eun for The World of Love, and Jang Hang Jun for The King’s Warden. The inclusion of legendary director Park Chan Wook alongside other highly respected filmmakers makes this a particularly exciting category.
The Best New Director category spotlights fresh voices shaping the future of Korean cinema: Kwon Yong Jae (The Price of Goodbye), Kim Soo Jin (Noise), Kim Yong Hwan (Your Letter), Park Joon Ho (3670), and Jang Byung Ki (When This Summer is Over). These emerging talents demonstrate the industry’s continuous regeneration and willingness to embrace new perspectives.
Powerful Performances on the Silver Screen
The acting categories for film feature an assembly of Korea’s most magnetic stars.
For Best Actor, the nominees are Koo Kyo Hwan for Once We Were Us, Park Jeong Min for The Ugly, Yoo Hae Jin for The King’s Warden, Lee Byung Hun for No Other Choice, and Hong Kyung for Good News. This category is a masterclass in performance, featuring actors known for their depth and versatility.
The Best Actress nominations are equally impressive, including Go Ah Sung for Pavane, Mun Ka Young for Once We Were Us, Son Ye Jin for No Other Choice, Lee Hye Young for The Old Woman With The Knife, and Han Ye Ri for Spring Night. This list showcases actresses who delivered memorable and impactful portrayals.
Supporting roles are crucial to a film’s success, and the Best Supporting Actor nominees are Ryoo Seung Bum (Good News), Park Hae Joon (HUMINT), Yoo Ji Tae (The King’s Warden), Lee Sung Min (No Other Choice), and Jang Yong (People and Meat). For Best Supporting Actress, Shin Sae Kyeong (HUMINT), Shin Hyun Been (The Ugly), Yeom Hye Ran (No Other Choice), Jang Hye Jin (The World of Love), and Jeon Mi Do (The King’s Warden) are recognized.
The Best New Actor nominees are Moon Sang Min (Pavane), Park Ji Hoon (The King’s Warden), Ahn Hyo Seop (Omniscient Reader), Yoo Lee Ha (The Final Semester), and Cho You Hyun (3670). For Best New Actress, Seo Su Bin (The World of Love), Shin Sia (Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight), Shin Eun Soo (Love Untangled), Chae Won Bin (YADANG: The Snitch), and Choi Yu Ri (My Daughter is a Zombie) have made a significant impact in their debut roles.
Screenwriting, Technical Craft, and the Gucci Impact Award
The art of storytelling is honored in the Best Screenplay category, with nominations for Park Joon Ho (3670), Byun Sung Hyun and Lee Jin Seong (Good News), Yeon Sang Ho (The Ugly), Yoon Ga Eun (The World of Love), and Lim Na Moo (People and Meat).
The Technical Award in film acknowledges the intricate work behind the scenes: Kim Sang Beom and Kim Ho Bin (editing for Good News), Kim Woo Hyung (cinematography for No Other Choice), Lee Mok Won (art direction for The Ugly), Lee Min Hwi (music for Pavane), and Jung Sung Jin and Kim Woo Chul (VFX for Omniscient Reader).
A distinctive feature of the Baeksang Arts Awards is the "Gucci Impact Award," which recognizes films that convey a significant social message or demonstrate groundbreaking artistic vision. This year’s nominees are The Final Semester, People and Meat, The World of Love, The King’s Warden, and Pavane. This award highlights the industry’s commitment to cinema that not only entertains but also provokes thought and drives cultural discourse.
Celebrating the Stage: Theater and Musical Categories
While television and film often dominate headlines, the Baeksang Arts Awards proudly recognizes the vibrant and dynamic world of live performance. The Theater and Musical categories celebrate the profound artistry and dedication found on the stage.
Theater Excellence
The Best Baeksang Theater award nominees showcase a diverse range of theatrical productions: Last Interview, A Mirror, SAMMAEKYUNG, End Wall, and Jellyfish. These plays represent the cutting edge of Korean dramaturgy. The Best Young Theater category encourages emerging talent in the theater world, with nominations for Kim Yeon Min (director for ZOOM IN: CHEKHOV), Munjibang (theater company for Haboob), Tank of fire (theater company for Chang So), Lee Kyeong Heon (playwright for Ex Libris), and The Creative Company LAS (theater company for Function Domino).
The Best Performer in Theater nominations recognize powerful stage presence: Kwon Jung Hoon (Tulip), Kim Si Yu (You Don’t Know Your Son), Kim Shin Rok (PRIMA FACIE), Jeon Hye Jin ([ANTHROPOLIS⮡] Laios), and Ji Choon Sung (SAMMAEKYUNG).
Musical Spectacles
The Best Musical category celebrates grand productions that blend song, dance, and storytelling: The Longest Nights, Laika, ARANG, RED HARE ; JEOKTO, and Man in Hanbok. The Creative Award in Musicals highlights innovation in various aspects of musical production: Seo Byung Goo (choreography for Evita), Oh Lupina (direction for Mad Hatter), Oh Sang Jun (original score for ARANG), Lee Sun Young (original score for Laika), and Han A Reum (playwriting for RED HARE ; JEOKTO).
The Best Performer in Musical nominations feature some of the most celebrated voices and stage actors: Kim Junsu (Beetlejuice), Min Kyoung Ah (Red Book), Park Eun Tae (Man in Hanbok), Yu Ria (Evita), and Hong Kwang Ho (Moulin Rouge!). Their nominations underscore the immense talent required to excel in the demanding world of musical theater.
Anticipation and the Broader Industry Impact
As the date for the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards draws closer, anticipation within the Korean entertainment industry and among global fans continues to mount. The breadth and depth of this year’s nominations vividly illustrate the robust health and innovative spirit of South Korea’s creative sectors. Industry analysts suggest that the strong showing of independent films and artistically daring dramas signifies a growing appetite for diverse narratives that challenge conventions. Furthermore, the global success of Korean content has undoubtedly raised the stakes, making a Baeksang award an even more coveted international badge of honor.
The ceremony on May 8, 2026, will not only be a celebration of individual achievements but also a reflection of the collective effort that continues to elevate Korean culture on the world stage. For the nominees, these acknowledgments are a testament to their dedication and talent, promising further opportunities and influence within the industry. For audiences, it’s an exciting opportunity to celebrate the stories and performances that moved, inspired, and entertained them throughout the past year. The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards is set to be a momentous occasion, reaffirming South Korea’s position as a global cultural powerhouse.
