Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Controversy Over 'Queen of Tears' Nominations

The Baeksang Arts Awards, a prominent event honoring achievements in film, television, and theatre, is set for May 5, 2025, at COEX in Seoul. The ceremony, one of South Korea’s longstanding award shows, has once again become the subject of public debate following a series of remarks by a panel judge.

Veteran cultural critic Jeong Deok Hyeon, a member of the judging panel, addressed issues related to the evaluation process amid controversy. Jeong explained that the initial round of judging occurred before the Korean drama Queen of Tears began airing. The delay in the airing schedule prompted discussions over the eligibility criteria, particularly for projects that had not completed their broadcast run.

Queen of Tears, which stars Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, registered high viewership ratings in 2024, surpassing the 20 per cent national mark. Despite the show’s commercial success, only Kim Soo Hyun received a nomination in the Best Actor category. The absence of Kim Ji Won’s name from the Best Actress list has drawn criticism from viewers, who took to online platforms to express dissatisfaction and question the fairness of the selection process.

Critics and audiences alike have focused on the timing of the judging process. Jeong Deok Hyeon stated that the early review of the drama limited the panel's ability to evaluate the full content, which played a role in the nomination decisions. This explanation has sparked further discussion on the criteria used by award panels and raised concerns about transparency in the judging process.

The controversy has prompted dialogue about the standards and practices of the industry. Observers noted that the debate over the omission of a leading actress’s nomination reflects broader issues regarding evaluation methods and potential biases in award selections. Comments on social media have highlighted a perception of inconsistency in recognizing talent, especially among female performers.