South Korea’s prestigious program 61st Beksang Arts Awards, which celebrated excellence in the film, television and theater, took place on 5 May, 2025. The award held at Kox in Gangnam district of Seoul was hosted by Shin Dong-UP, Bay Suzi and Park Bo-Gum. The ceremony saw many wonders and remarkable victories, ‘Jab Life Gives Tenners’ of Netflix was emerging as an important winner.

‘When Life gives you tangerins,’ a popular ke-drama that is inspired by a real-life couple from JejuWon the Best drama award. Starring Park Bo Gum and IU, the show was also appreciated for Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Choi de-Hun), and Best Supporting Actress (Yeom Hi-Ran). Despite her success, Park Bo-Gum and IU could not win the best actor and actress categories.

In the film category, ‘Harbin’, Hyun Bin starring, won the Best Film Award. Oh Sewing-Vook received the Best Director Award for ‘Revolver’, while Jeon Doon was named Best Actress for her role in the same film. Joe Jung-Kuk won the best actor for his performance in ‘Pilot’.

The awards also recognized new talents, in which Roh Yun-Seo won the best new actress for ‘here me: Hamari Summer’ and Cha Von-Bin for ‘Saka’ in the TV category. Jung Sung Il and Chu Young-Vu were awarded the best new actor in film and TV respectively.

The Theater Awards included Seoul Metropolitan Theater for ‘Tungso-Sori’ and Young Theater Award for Gongonori Club’s ‘Dride Paper and Peach Khushboo Lipstick’. Quak Ji Suk won the best performance in the theater for ‘Malta of Jews’.

Other notable winners were included as the best male and female entertainers, Shin Dong-Aupa and Lee Suu-G respectively, and the variety show ‘Pungangggo’ was taking the Best Variety Show Award. The Gucci Impact Award went on ‘The Land of Morning Callum’.

Here is a complete list of winners in the TV category:

Grand Prize: Netflix ‘Pak Class Wars’

Best Drama: Netflix ‘When life gives you tangerin’

Best Actor: Joo Ji-Hun (‘The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call’)

Best Actress: Kim Tae-Ri (‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’)

Best Variety Show: Ddeunddeun ‘Pungghyanggo’

Best Educational Show: SBS ‘Special-Hekzon’ (literal title)

Best Male Entertainer: Shin Dong-UP

Best Women Entertainment: Lee Suu Ji

Best Director: Lyrics Yeon-Hwa (‘Doubt’)

Best Supporting Actor: Choi de-Hun (‘When life gives you tangerins’)

Best Supporting Actress: Yeom Hi-Ran (‘When life gives you tangerine’)

Best Screenplay: IM Sang-CHOON (‘When life gives you tangerines’)

Best New Actor: Chu Young-Vu (‘The Tail of Lady OK’)

Best New Actress: Cha Won-Bin (‘Doubt’)

Best Technical Direction: Jung Yong-Guyu (‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Bourne’

And here is a complete list of winners in the film category:

Grand Award: Hong Cuong-Pai

Best Film: ‘Harbin’

Best Actor: Jung-Uk (‘Pilot’)

Best Actress: Jion Do-Yone (‘Revolver’)

Best Director: Oh Sewing-Vook (‘Revolver’)

Best Supporting Actor: Yoo Jae-Myung (‘Land of Khushi’)

Best Supporting Actress: Claudia Kim (‘A General Family’)

Best scenario: Shin Chul, Park Chan-Wook (‘Rebellion’)

Best New Director: Oh Jung-Min (House of the Season ‘)

Best New Actor: Jung Sung Il (‘Rebellion’)

Best New Actress: Roh Yun-S (‘Listen to me: Our Summer’)

Best Technical Direction: Joe Young-Vuk (‘Rebellion’

Gucci Impact Award: ‘The Land of Morning Cam’

Prizm Popularity Award: Byeon Woo-Seok, Kim Hye-YOON (‘Lovely Runner’)

This year’s Beksang Arts Awards highlighted diversity and talent within the South Korean entertainment industry.