Image Source: Baeksang Awards
South Korea’s biggest stars gathered in Seoul this week for the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards, one of the country’s most prestigious entertainment ceremonies honoring excellence across television, film, and theater.
Often considered Korea’s equivalent of the Emmys and Golden Globes combined, the annual event celebrates standout performances, writing, directing, technical achievement, and rising talent across the entertainment industry.
Held at COEX Hall D in Seoul on May 8, this year’s ceremony highlighted both established stars and breakout performers while continuing to showcase the global strength of Korean entertainment.
📺 Television & Drama Highlights
Among the broadcast winners, Lee Chae Min earned Best New Actor for Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, while Bang Hyo Rin took home Best New Actress honors for Aema.
Veteran actress Lim Soo Jung won Best Supporting Actress in recognition for her supporting role in Low Life, while Yoo Seung Mok won Best Supporting Actor for The Dream Life of Mr. Kim.
In writing and technical categories, Song Hye Jin was recognized for You and Everything Else (Best Screenplay), while Kang Seung-won was recognized for his outstanding work as a music director, winning the Best Technical Achievement (Music) award for The Seasons.
The Grand Prize (Daesang) for drama was won by Ryu Seungryong for The Dream Life of Mr. Kim.
🎬 Film Winners & Standout Performances
The film categories also featured strong competition and emotional wins throughout the night.
Park Ji Hoon won Best New Actor for The King's Warden, while Seo Su Bin earned Best New Actress honors for The World of Love.
Acclaimed actor Lee Sung Min continued his impressive streak with a supporting actor win for No Other Choice, while Shin Se Kyung received Best Supporting Actress recognition for Humint.
Additional film honors included:
- Best New Director: Park Joon Ho (3670)
- Best Screenplay: Byun Sung Hyun & Lee Jin Seong (Good News)
- Technical Achievement: Lee Min Hwi (Music for Pavane)
The Grand Prize (film) for drama was won by Yoo Haejin for The King’s Warden.
🌟 Popularity Awards & Fan Favorites
Popularity awards, voted on by fans, went to:
- 🏆 Most Popular Actor: Park Jihoon (The King’s Warden)
- 🏆 Most Popular Actress: Im Yoon-ah (Bon Appetit Your Majesty)
These awards are always among the night’s most closely watched categories, highlighting the passionate support of global K-drama and Korean film fans.
💫 Why the Baeksang Awards Matter
The Baeksang Arts Awards remain one of the most respected honors in Korean entertainment because they recognize achievement across multiple creative industries rather than focusing only on television or film.
For international fans, the ceremony also offers a snapshot of:
- which dramas are resonating most strongly in Korea
- rising actors to keep an eye on
- major industry trends
- breakout performances likely to gain global attention
With Korean entertainment continuing to dominate global streaming platforms, the Baeksang Awards increasingly serve as both a celebration of artistic excellence and a reflection of the growing worldwide influence of Korean storytelling.
👉 Which win surprised you most this year? And which drama or actor were you rooting for?
🏆 Full List 2026 Baeksang Arts Awards Winners
Television / Broadcast
Best Drama
🏆 You and Everything Else (Netflix)
Best Variety Show
🏆 The Wonder Coach (MBC)
Best Educational Program
🏆 Our Shining Days (KBS1)
Best Director
🏆 Park Shin Woo (Our Unwritten Seoul)
Best Screenplay
🏆 Song Hye Jin (You and Everything Else)
Technical Achievement
🏆 Kang Seung Won (The Seasons – music)
Best Actor
🏆 Hyun Bin (Made in Korea)
Best Actress
🏆 Park Bo Young (Our Unwritten Seoul)
Best Supporting Actor
🏆 Yoo Seung Mok (The Dream Life of Mr. Kim)
Best Supporting Actress
🏆 Lim Soo Jung (Low Life)
Best New Actor
🏆 Lee Chae Min (Bon Appétit, Your Majesty)
Best New Actress
🏆 Bang Hyo Rin (Aema)
Best Male Entertainer
🏆 Kian84
Best Female Entertainer
🏆 Lee Soo Ji
🎬 Film
Best Movie
🏆 No Other Choice
Best Director
🏆 Yoon Ga Eun (The World of Love)
Best New Director
🏆 Park Joon Ho (3670)
Best Actor
🏆 Park Jeong Min (The Ugly)
Best Actress
🏆 Mun Ka Young (Once We Were Us)
Best Supporting Actor
🏆 Lee Sung Min (No Other Choice)
Best Supporting Actress
🏆 Shin Sae Kyeong (HUMINT)
Best New Actor
🏆 Park Ji Hoon (The King’s Warden)
Best New Actress
🏆 Seo Su Bin (The World of Love)
Best Screenplay
🏆 Byun Sung Hyun and Lee Jin Seong (Good News)
Technical Achievement
🏆 Lee Min Hwi (Pavane – music)
Gucci Impact Award
🏆 The King’s Warden
🎭 Theater
Baeksang Best Theater
🏆 Jellyfish
Best Young Theater
🏆 Tank of Fire (Chang So)
Best Performer
🏆 Kim Shin Rok (PRIMA FACIE)
🎵 Musical
Best Musical
🏆 ARANG
Creative Achievement
🏆 Seo Byung Goo (Evita – choreography)
Best Performer
🏆 Kim Junsu (Beetlejuice)
🌟 Naver Popularity Awards
🏆 Most Popular Actor: Park Jihoon (The King’s Warden)
🏆 Most Popular Actress: Im Yoon-ah (Bon Appetit Your Majesty)
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