61st Baeksang Arts Awards 2025 | Korean Drama, Film, Variety & OTT
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards (백상예술대상) took place on May 7, 2025, celebrating the best of Korean TV dramas, films, theater, and OTT content including Netflix and YouTube. Often referred to as Korea’s version of the Golden Globes, Baeksang is one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the Korean entertainment industry.
This year's event showcased the growing influence of OTT platforms, YouTube creators, and global K-content. Let’s explore the complete list of winners along with descriptions to help you find your next favorite K-drama, movie, or show.
Shin Dong-yup, Park Bo-gum, and Suzy served as the hosts of the ceremony.
1.Grand Prize (Daesang)
- TV/Variety Daesang: Black & White Chef: Culinary Class Wars (Netflix)
→ A clever parody of competitive cooking shows, combining satire with class commentary. - Film Daesang: Cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo for Harbin
→ Known for his iconic work on Parasite and Burning, Hong’s visual storytelling in this historical epic was extraordinary.
2. Film Division Winners
| Award Winner | Title Description | |
| Best Film | Harbin | A powerful historical action film centered on independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun, starring Hyun Bin. |
| Best Director | Oh Seung-wook – Revolver | Jeon Do-yeon leads this gripping revenge drama with emotional depth. |
| Best Actor / Actress | Jo Jung-suk – Pilot Jeon Do-yeon – Revolver |
Jo’s charismatic transformation into a fake pilot amazed audiences, while Jeon delivered another career-defining performance. |
| Best Supporting Actor / Actress | Yoo Jae-myung – Land of Happiness Soo-hyun – Ordinary Family |
Both performances were emotionally resonant and grounded in realism. |
| Best New Actor / Actress | Jung Sung-il – Before the War Roh Yoon-seo – Clear Voice | Roh, already beloved in Netflix dramas, earned acclaim for her moving film debut. |
| Best Screenplay | Shin Chul & Park Chan-wook – Before the War | A layered, suspenseful narrative with Park’s signature psychological tension. |
| Best Art Direction | Jo Young-wook – Before the War | Stunning sound design and music elevated the film’s emotional intensity. |
| Best New Director | Oh Jung-min – The Eldest Grandson | A fresh voice in Korean cinema with sharp social insight. |
3. Drama Division (TV & OTT) Winners
| Best Drama | When Life Gives You Tangerines (Netflix) | |
| (폭싹 속았수다) | A heartwarming coming-of-age romance set in 1990s Jeju Island. Park Bo-gum and Kim So-hyun shine in this nostalgic, emotionally rich story. | |
| Best Director | Song Yeon-hwa – Such Intimate Betrayal | A slow-burning psychological drama about family and womanhood. |
| Best Screenplay | Lim Sang-choon – When Life Gives You Tangerines | Beloved for blending lyrical storytelling with authentic dialect and humor. |
| Best Actor / Actress | Joo Ji-hoon – Trauma Center / Kim Tae-ri – Jeongnyeoni | Joo plays a complex trauma surgeon; Kim embodies a spirited youth in Korea's pro-democracy era. |
| Best Supporting Actor / Actress | Choi Dae-hoon & Yum Hye-ran – When Life Gives You Tangerines | Their supporting roles offered strong emotional anchors for the series. |
| Best New Actor / Actress | Choo Young-woo – Madam Ok / Chae Won-bin – Such Intimate Betrayal | Their breakthrough performances left a lasting impression. |
| Best Technical Award | Jang Young-gyu – Jeongnyeoni | Masterful music direction that evoked 1980s South Korea. |
4. Variety & Documentary Awards (YouTube & OTT Included)
A standout feature of this year’s Baeksang Awards was the recognition of content from YouTube and OTT platforms. Veteran MCs Shin Dong-yup and Lee Soo-ji, active on SNL Korea and their own YouTube channels ("짠한형", "Hot Issue Ji"), took home the Best Male and Female Entertainer Awards.
| Best Variety Show | Poonghyang GO | A travel-based variety show popular among Gen Z. |
| Best Male/Female Entertainer | Shin Dong-yup / Lee Soo-ji | Recognized for innovative comedy across broadcast, OTT, and YouTube. |
| Best Documentary | Kim Min-ki: Behind Hakchon | A touching portrait of the folk singer and social activist who shaped Korea's artistic resistance. |
5. Theater Division Winners
| Best Play | Tungso Sound by Seoul Metropolitan Theatre | A poetic, powerful expression of Korean identity. |
| Young Theater Award | Dried Chili and Peach Lipstick | A bold, new feminist theatrical voice. |
| Best Actor (Theater) | Kwak Ji-sook – The Jew of Malta | Commanding performance that captivated audiences. |
6.Popular & Special Awards
| TikTok Popularity Award | Byeon Woo-seok, Kim Hye-yoon | Beloved for their roles in Run Away with Seon-jae, a high school time-travel romance. |
| Gucci Impact Award | Seagull of the Morning Sea | Celebrated for its social message and inclusivity in storytelling. |
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards reflected a shift in Korean entertainment — not only honoring traditional cinema and TV but embracing the dynamic worlds of OTT, YouTube, and indie theater. From nostalgic dramas like When Life Gives You Tangerines to impactful films like Harbin, 2025 was a banner year for Korean storytelling.
Whether you're into K-dramas, movies, or variety shows, this winner list is your essential guide to the best Korean content of 2025.