Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, the celebrated couple married for five years, have both been nominated for the Best Actor and Actress awards at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards. Hyun Bin is nominated for his role in the drama 'Made in Korea,' while Son Ye-jin competes with her performance in the film 'No Choice.'
The '62nd Baeksang Arts Awards with Gucci' has unveiled its nominees across television, film, theater, and musical categories. On the 13th, the Baeksang Arts Awards Secretariat announced the nominees via their official website and social media. This year's awards consider works aired or released between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, across terrestrial, cable, and OTT platforms, as well as Korean feature films and theatrical performances released domestically during the same period. The variety category in the broadcasting section also includes web content. Each category's nominees were selected through rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges.
<Television Section>
The television section, which has produced a 'content boom' with well-made works across various genres, includes nominees that have not only satisfied public taste but also expanded the horizons of K-content.
Nominees for Best Drama include tvN's 'Unknown Seoul,' JTBC's 'The Story of Manager Kim at a Seoul Company,' Netflix's 'Eunjung and Sangyeon,' Disney+'s 'Pine: The Country Bumpkins,' and tvN's 'The Tyrant's Chef.' The Best Variety Show nominees, which captivated viewers with their intriguing charm and authenticity, include MBC's 'Extreme 84,' MBC's 'Rookie Director Kim Yeon-kyung,' SBS's 'Our Ballad,' Coupang Play's 'Office Workers' Season 2, and Netflix's 'Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War' Season 2. The Best Educational Program nominees include Netflix's 'I Am a Survivor,' KBS 1TV's 'Docu Insight: Talent War,' KBS 1TV's 'Docu Insight: Our Time is Shining,' KBS 1TV's 'KBS Foundation Special: Sacred Relics,' and SBS's 'SBS Special: Strange Zoo.'
Nominees for Best Director include Park Shin-woo (tvN's 'Unknown Seoul'), Woo Min-ho (Disney+'s 'Made in Korea'), Yoo Young-eun (Netflix's 'Is This Love Translatable?'), Jo Young-min (Netflix's 'Eunjung and Sangyeon'), and Jo Hyun-tak (JTBC's 'The Story of Manager Kim at a Seoul Company'). Competing for Best Screenplay are writers Kwon Jong-gwan (Netflix's 'The Price of Confession'), Song Hye-jin (Netflix's 'Eunjung and Sangyeon'), Lee Kang (tvN's 'Unknown Seoul'), Lee Sun (KBS 2TV's 'Dear Thief'), and Chu Song-yeon (Netflix's 'Lady Dua'). Nominees for Best Artistic Achievement include music director Kang Seung-won (KBS 2TV's 'The Seasons'), visual effects director Kim Nam-sik (Disney+'s 'Pine: The Country Bumpkins' VFX), cinematographer Kim Tae-sung (Disney+'s 'Made in Korea'), cinematographer Eom Seong-tak (Netflix's 'Eunjung and Sangyeon'), and art director Yoon Jin-hee (Netflix's 'Crime Scene Zero').
The competition for Best Actor and Actress is fierce, with a lineup so strong that the five-split screen of nominees on the awards night is highly anticipated. Nominees for Best Actor include Ryu Seung-ryong (JTBC's 'The Story of Manager Kim at a Seoul Company'), Park Jin-young (tvN's 'Unknown Seoul'), Lee Jun-ho (tvN's 'Typhoon Company'), Ji Sung (MBC's 'Judge Lee Han-young'), and Hyun Bin (Disney+'s 'Made in Korea'). Nominees for Best Actress include Kim Go-eun (Netflix's 'Eunjung and Sangyeon'), Park Bo-young (tvN's 'Unknown Seoul'), Park Ji-hyun (Netflix's 'Eunjung and Sangyeon'), Shin Hye-sun (Netflix's 'Lady Dua'), and Im Yoon-ah (tvN's 'The Tyrant's Chef').
The Best Supporting Actor and Actress categories are equally competitive, with actors delivering impactful performances that brought their characters to life. Nominees for Best Supporting Actor include Kim Gun-woo (Netflix's 'Eunjung and Sangyeon'), Yoo Seung-mok (JTBC's 'The Story of Manager Kim at a Seoul Company'), Yoo Jae-myung (JTBC's 'Love Me'), Jang Seung-jo (Netflix's 'You Killed Me'), and Jin Seon-kyu (Netflix's 'Emma'). Nominees for Best Supporting Actress include Myung Se-bin (JTBC's 'The Story of Manager Kim at a Seoul Company'), Won Mi-kyung (tvN's 'Unknown Seoul'), Lee Yi-dam (Netflix's 'Lady Dua'), Im Soo-jung (Disney+'s 'Pine: The Country Bumpkins'), and Ha Yoon-kyung (tvN's 'Undercover Miss Hong').
The New Actor and Actress categories, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, have drawn significant attention with their impressive nominees. Nominees for Best New Actor include Kim Jin-wook (Disney+'s 'Pine: The Country Bumpkins'), Bae Na-ra (Netflix's 'Weak Hero Class 2'), Lee Chae-min (tvN's 'The Tyrant's Chef'), Jung Joon-won (tvN's 'Someday Wise Intern Life'), and Hong Min-ki (KBS 2TV's 'Dear Thief'). Nominees for Best New Actress include Kim Min (Disney+'s 'Pine: The Country Bumpkins'), Bang Hyo-rin (Netflix's 'Emma'), Shin Si-a (tvN's 'Someday Wise Intern Life'), Jeon So-young (ENA's 'Honor: Their Court'), and Choi Ji-soo (tvN's 'Undercover Miss Hong').
The Variety Show category is expected to be a fierce battle between fresh faces and traditional powerhouses. Nominees for Best Male Variety Performer include Kwak Beom, Kian84, Kim Won-hoon, Lee Seo-jin, and Choo Sung-hoon. Nominees for Best Female Variety Performer include Kim Yeon-kyung, Seol In-ah, Lee Soo-ji, Jang Do-yeon, and Hong Jin-kyung. These nominees include those who have blurred the lines between YouTube and TV, as well as multi-talented entertainers who have expanded beyond their primary careers in sports and acting.
<Film Section>
This year's film section nominees reflect the wide spectrum of Korean cinema, from works that garnered the support of 10 million theatergoers to critically acclaimed masterpieces. The nominees, armed with solid narratives and passionate performances, showcase the rich achievements of the Korean film industry over the past year. The films 'No Choice' and 'The Man Who Lives with the King' lead with nominations in seven categories each.
Nominees for Best Film include '3rd Year 2nd Semester,' 'Good News,' 'Master of the World,' 'No Choice,' and 'The Man Who Lives with the King.' Nominees for Best Director include Kim Do-young ('If We'), Park Chan-wook ('No Choice'), Byun Sung-hyun ('Good News'), Yoon Ga-eun ('Master of the World'), and Jang Hang-jun ('The Man Who Lives with the King'). The Best New Director category, highlighting the bright future of Korean cinema, includes nominees Kwon Yong-jae ('High Sugar'), Kim Soo-jin ('Noise'), Kim Yong-hwan ('Yeon's Letter'), Park Joon-ho ('3670'), and Jang Byung-ki ('When Summer Passes').
Nominees for Best Screenplay include Park Joon-ho ('3670'), Byun Sung-hyun & Lee Jin-sung ('Good News'), Yeon Sang-ho ('Face'), Yoon Ga-eun ('Master of the World'), and Im Na-mu ('Man and Meat'). The Best Artistic Achievement category honors industry veterans for their artistic sensibility and hard work, with nominees including editors Kim Sang-bum & Kim Ho-bin ('Good News' editing), cinematographer Kim Woo-hyung ('No Choice' cinematography), art director Lee Mok-won ('Face' art), music director Lee Min-hwi ('Pavane' music), and supervisors Jung Sung-jin & Kim Woo-chul ('Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint' VFX).
The Best Actor category, drawing more attention than ever, includes nominees Koo Kyo-hwan ('If We'), Park Jung-min ('Face'), Yoo Hae-jin ('The Man Who Lives with the King'), Lee Byung-hun ('No Choice'), and Hong Kyung ('Good News'). Nominees for Best Actress include Go Ah-sung ('Pavane'), Moon Ga-young ('If We'), Son Ye-jin ('No Choice'), Lee Hye-young ('Destruction'), and Han Ye-ri ('Spring Night').
The Best Supporting Actor and Actress categories are fiercely competitive, with 10 nominees whose performances are beyond reproach. Nominees for Best Supporting Actor include Ryu Seung-bum ('Good News'), Park Hae-joon ('Humint'), Yoo Ji-tae ('The Man Who Lives with the King'), Lee Sung-min ('No Choice'), and Jang Yong ('Man and Meat'). Nominees for Best Supporting Actress include Shin Se-kyung ('Humint'), Shin Hyun-bin ('Face'), Yum Hye-ran ('No Choice'), Jang Hye-jin ('Master of the World'), and Jeon Mi-do ('The Man Who Lives with the King').
The Best New Actor and Actress categories are filled with fresh talent. Nominees for Best New Actor include Moon Sang-min ('Pavane'), Park Ji-hoon ('The Man Who Lives with the King'), Ahn Hyo-seop ('Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint'), Yoo Yi-ha ('3rd Year 2nd Semester'), and Cho Yoo-hyun ('3670'). Nominees for Best New Actress include Seo Soo-bin ('Master of the World'), Shin Si-a ('Even If This Love Disappears Tonight'), Shin Eun-soo ('History of Confession'), Chae Won-bin ('Opposition'), and Choi Yoo-ri ('Zombie Daughter').
The Gucci Impact Award, now in its fourth year, focuses on 'The Stage of Impact.' Nominees include '3rd Year 2nd Semester,' 'Man and Meat,' 'Master of the World,' 'The Man Who Lives with the King,' and 'Pavane,' which highlight various societal and personal issues, fostering discourse and expanding audience awareness through social messages.
<Theater Section>
Since its revival in 2019, the theater section has become a core part of the Baeksang Arts Awards, showcasing a wide range of nominees.
The Baeksang Theater Award, given to the nominee with the most outstanding theatrical achievement, regardless of category, includes five works: 'The Last Visit,' 'Mirror,' 'Sammaekyung,' 'End Wall: What's Beyond That Wall,' and 'Jellyfish.'
Nominees for the sole acting award include Kwon Jung-hoon ('Tulip'), Kim Si-yu ('You Don't Know Your Son'), Kim Shin-rok ('Prima Facie'), Jeon Hye-jin ('Anthropolis II Laios'), and Ji Chun-sung ('Sammaekyung').
The Young Theater Award, given to individuals or groups exploring new concepts and aesthetic expressions in theater with a forward-looking attitude, includes director Kim Yeon-min ('ZOOM IN: Chekhov'), theater group Moonjibang ('Habub'), theater group Fire Chariot ('Place'), writer Lee Kyung-heon ('Arranging the Library'), and theater group Creative Collective LAS ('Function Domino').
<Musical Section>
In 2026, marking the 60th anniversary of Korean musicals, the musical section has been newly established. By highlighting the emotional and artistic value of musical theater, the Baeksang Arts Awards aim to evolve into a comprehensive arts award encompassing all stages of popular culture and arts.
The first Best Musical Award, given to the work with the most outstanding achievements in popularity, artistry, and contribution to the musical field, includes nominees 'Long Night,' 'Laika,' 'Dream Garden,' 'Red Clay: The History of Bridles and Saddles,' and 'The Man in Hanbok.'
The Best Creative Award, given to creators of original and licensed musicals (Non-replica) who have achieved excellence in creativity and originality, includes nominees choreographer Seo Byung-gu ('Evita'), director Oh Ru-pina ('Mad Hatter'), composer Oh Sang-jun ('Dream Garden'), composer Lee Sun-young ('Laika'), and playwright Han Ah-reum ('Red Clay: The History of Bridles and Saddles').
The Best Acting Award, given to the actor with the most outstanding performance in original and licensed musicals, includes nominees Kim Jun-su ('Beetlejuice'), Min Kyung-ah ('Red Book'), Park Eun-tae ('The Man in Hanbok'), Yuria ('Evita'), and Hong Kwang-ho ('Moulin Rouge!').
The '62nd Baeksang Arts Awards with Gucci' will take place on May 8 at 7:50 PM at COEX D Hall in Gangnam, Seoul, and will be broadcast live on JTBC, JTBC2, and JTBC4.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr