Did you know that there is a word in Korean to describe men who are so good-looking that they're compared to flowers? This Korean word is "kkotminam".

'Kkotminam' (꽃미남) literally translates to "flower-like handsome man". It is a combination of 꽃 (kkot), meaning flower, and 미남 (minam), meaning handsome man. It is definitely a compliment and praise of a man's beauty.

Some popular Korean actors who are called 'kkotminam' include Lee JoonGi (the OG), Park BoGum, Song Kang, Ji ChangWook, Lee MinHo, and Song JoongKi, among others. Some idols who are called 'kkotminam' include ASTRO's Cha EunWoo, Ong SeongWu, NCT's HaeChan, TREASURE's JunKyu, RIIZE's WonBin, and ZEROBASEONE's Zhang Hao, among others.

You can use 'kkotminam' in a sentence (informally) as follows:

그 아이돌은 꽃미남이야

Geu aidol-eun kkotminam-iya

That idol is a kkotminam!

Who do you think is a kkotminam idol or actor? Tell us on X!

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The 60th Baeksang Arts Awards, known as one of the most prestigious award shows in the Korean entertainment industry, has announced this year's nominations and netizens are not too happy.

The Baeksang Arts Awards are highly anticipated every year, as they recognize excellence in Korean film, television, and theatre. Not just artists but fans also look forward to this night, hoping for acknowledgment for their favorite works and actors. While it is not possible for everyone's favorite artist to receive a nod or take home an award, this year, the nominations have been causing quite the controversy all over the world.

Korean netizens and global fans are unanimously discontent with the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations, especially in the TV category. So, this article and analysis focus exclusively on the controversy surrounding the TV nominations.

60th Baeksang Arts Awards Nominations - Sentiment Analysis

We pulled and analyzed posts from all over the internet, such as on X, Instagram, and NATE PANN, to understand this controversy and highlight fans' opinions, concerns, and protestations. What we noticed was that fans from all over the world, regardless of whether they are Korean or international, shared similar opinions on the nominations this time, particularly in regards to actors who were snubbed.

Before we get into our findings, let's take a brief look at the nominations that are causing the most contention with the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards. 

Categories under "TV" that are taking the most heat are "Best Actor" and "Best Actress".

Baeksang Official's Instagram

In the "Best Actor (TV)" category, the nominations are Kim SooHyun for "Queen Of Tears", NamKoong Min for "My Dearest", Ryu SeungRyong for "Moving", Yoo YeonSeok for "A Bloody Lucky Day", and Yim SiWan for "Boyhood".

Baeksang Official's Instagram

In the "Best Actress (TV)" category, we have Ra MiRan for "The Good Bad Mother", Ahn EunJin for "My Dearest", Uhm JungHwa for "Doctor Cha", Lee HaNee for "Knight Flower", and Lim JiYeon for "Lies Hidden In My Garden".

Rather than directly expressing disapproval of the nominated actors, fans are more upset with the actors and actresses who deserved nominations but were not named. You can check out our sentiment analysis chart below for more clarity.

Kpopmap

As depicted in the chart, an overwhelming majority of netizens, constituting 78.7%, voiced dissatisfaction with the nominations. Conversely, only a marginal 5.8% displayed enthusiasm, while 15.5% remained neutral, neither impressed nor disappointed.

Criticism Of Selection Criteria

60th Baeksang Arts Awards

Netizens who showed a negative response raised questions about and criticism of the selection process, including doubts on whether the process was fair after all. The criteria used for nominations were brought into discussion alongside factors like viewership ratings and OTT ranking.

For those who might not know, the Baeksang Arts Awards nominees were chosen from K-Dramas that aired between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. A K-Drama will have to have aired at least one-third of its episodes by March 31 to qualify for a nomination. That is why the ongoing K-Drama "Queen Of Tears" was considered for the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards.

However, many fans were not too fond of the fact that a K-Drama that hasn't even finished airing was chosen for a category, whereas actors from several popular and beloved K-Dramas were not.

As many netizens disagreed with the standards of the Baeksang Arts Awards by which nominees are decided, they renounced the credibility of the same.

Actors Who Deserved Nominations, According To Global Fans

Six names stood out among the numerous posts we analyzed - Kim JiWon, Kim TaeRi, Ji ChangWook, Lee DongWook, Park BoYoung, and Shin HaeSun.

Among them, Kim JiWon is the actress fans are advocating for the most, even more so because Kim SooHyun has been nominated for the "Best Actor" category, but Kim JiWon did not get a "Best Actress" nomination. Fans are quite upset and disconcerted about the reasoning behind such a decision when Kim JiWon, who is playing the title role of one of the most successful K-Dramas right now, has not been nominated.

Comparisons between the ratings of "Queen Of Tears" versus those of "Lies Hidden In My Garden", intended to highlight Kim JiWon's snub, were also drawn, although the argument was quickly shut down when other comments emphasized that the Baeksang Arts Awards does not present awards based on ratings as last year, Kim JiWon's own drama "My Liberation Notes" was nominated for "Best Drama" despite its considerably lower ratings. Both Son SukKu and Kim JiWon were also nominated for "Best Actor" and "Best Actress" respectively.

Another upsetting snub this year, according to fans, was that of Kim TaeRi, who delivered a spellbinding performance in "Revenant". Netizens are mentioning that if Kim TaeRi had been nominated, she would undoubtedly have taken the award home. However, it's a pity that her performance was overlooked.

tvN / SBS / Disney+ / Netflix / JTBC

Similarly, Park BoYoung was brought up in discussion, with many pointing out that Park BoYoung has consistently been snubbed by the Baeksang Arts Awards despite her excellent performances, such as in "Daily Dose Of Sunshine".

Shin HaeSun was also mentioned by several fans, who asserted that the actress' performance in "Welcome To Samdal-ri" was deserving of a nomination.

In response, some netizens who are neutral about the nominees mentioned that while it is true that there are other deserving candidates, the actresses who have been nominated are also incredible, and none of them can be replaced.

In the "Best Actor" category, netizens expressed the most frustration over Ji ChangWook and Lee DongWook being snubbed. Ji ChangWook, who impressed with his brilliant acting skills and range in the Disney+ K-Drama "The Worst Of Evil" and Lee DongWook, who made viewers fall in love with him all over again in "A Shop For Killers", also on Disney+, definitely deserved nominations, according to netizens. International netizens were most vocal about this exclusion.

Once again, there were opinions that these actors were outstanding in their respective roles but the current nominees simply cannot be replaced.

What do you think about the Baeksang Arts Awards nominations this year? Tell us on X!

The 60th Baeksang Arts Awards will be held on May 7, 2024 (Tue) at 5:00 PM KST in COEX Hall D, Seoul.

"The Impossible Heir" has taken viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, presenting a series that has kept everyone at the edge of their seats. It features high profile names in Lee JaeWook and Lee JunYoung, along with rising rookie, Hong SuZu.

The Disney+ series follows the story Han TaeOh (Lee JaeWook), who has faced endless struggles in life. Together with Kang InHa (Lee JunYoung), the illegitimate son to the chairman of Kang Oh Group, they hatch a plan to achieve unbelievable amounts of success. On their journey they meet similarly passionate Na HyeWon (Hong SuZu) who hopes to escape the dark clutches of her troubled past.

The finale is right on the horizon, but it has been anything but easy for our characters to arrive at this position. All the cast have gone through an arduous journey to reach this point with a few more hurdles left before the final credits roll.

"The Impossible Heir" has been ripe with various twists and turns, keeping audiences firmly glued to their seats, clutching onto their racing hearts.

Sudden Understanding And Partnership

When the drama first began, we met Han TaeOh and Kang InHa. At first, they appeared to be at odds with one another, having two conflicting personalities that could only lead to trouble. However, it doesn't take too long for the two to discover their similar roaring passion and drive to escape their situation and unfortunate fate.

This leads to TaeOh and InHa forming a partnership in order to take over the company. While many thought they would be at each other's throats for a majority of the drama, seeing them so friendly and amicable definitely threw audiences off guard, wondering how long this relationship would last.

A Confession Too Late

Han TaeOh was dedicated to the cause, persistent in upholding the plan to take Kang InHa to the very top. Even with the appearance of Na HyeWon, it seemed TaeOh would remain steady in his resolve and continue forward without a second thought. However, we see cracks in his mask and emotionless persona.

After gathering his courage and facing the truth of his desires, he confesses to HyeWon — but soon finds out he's a step too late. Although all K-Drama signs point to the two being together, it still takes viewers by surprise that they didn't end up with each other right away. The ship of romance sails and in the blink of an eye, Han TaeOh returns to his cold, calculating self.

Incriminating Circumstances

One of the most shocking events to happen over the course of the K-Drama is TaeOh suddenly being named as a murder suspect. After tossing away his pride in front of Kang InJoo (Han SangJin), he becomes roped into another night of InJoo's incessant partying, filled with narcotics, alcohol, and blaring music.

TaeOh wakes up the next day in a luxurious suite, bloody and in the same room as a deceased Kang InJoo. He becomes the prime suspect and due to an incriminating testimony, along with no evidence to say otherwise, he becomes a convicted criminal. TaeOh struck everyone as being one step ahead of his opponents, but in one fell swoop, he was made out to be the villain, ousted from his position and unable to carry out the plan he set up with Kang InHa.

The Betrayal Of The Century

Despite being locked away in prison, Han TaeOh continues to proactively search for the person who framed him. It takes a lot of digging and having to be named as an escaped criminal, however, our main lead eventually finds out who's behind all the chaos: Kang InHa himself.

It's a discovery that leaves everyone in a state of shock, so certain that InHa truly cared for his best friend. However, that initial sentiment aside, looking back on how he reacted and the looks of discontent that he often wore on his face, the title 'villain' didn't seem too far off. Now that everything is out in the open, InHa has become even more desperate to take hold of the place he rightfully declares as his own.

Now, "The Impossible Heir" stands at the precipice of the end, ready for viewers to tune in for one last time. It's been an incredible journey filled with suspense, thrills, and a bit of sentimental romance.

Are you excited to watch the conclusion of "The Impossible Heir"?