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".

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".

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.

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

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.

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.

Brace yourselves K-Pop fans, as the upcoming month of June is sure to be filled with more exciting debuts and comebacks from some of the most popular and trending K-Pop groups on the scene. Check out June 2023 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule.

In this post, you can see the artists’ debut, comeback, K-Drama OST, special Music Video release schedule, album teaser, and Music video all in one place!

Which comeback and debut will have you waiting in anticipation?

Let's find out who's making a comeback this June and what songs they're coming back with at a glance!

You can check the list below!

 

June 2023 K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule

Jun. 1

- B.I

2nd Full Album "TO DIE FOR"

- Hwang ChiYeul

5th Mini Album "GIFT"

- ChoCo1&2

"ChoCo Takes Hollywood (MAX)"

 

Jun. 2

- Stray Kids

3rd Full Album "5-STAR"

- Woo

Digital Single 'Ransome (Feat. BILL STAX)'

 

Jun. 4

- Kassy

Single Album 'Crush on you'

 

Jun. 5

- fromis_9

1st Full Album "UNLOCK MY WORLD"

- TaeYoung (NCT)

1st Mini Album "SHALALA"

- Lim YoungWoong

'모레 알갱이'

- Lee ChangSub

Drama "It Was Spring" OST Part 7

- TONY AN (H.O.T)

Digital Single "My Shine Day"

 

Jun. 6

- TNX

3rd Mini Album "BOYHOOD"

- tripleS

Digital Single "Acid Eyes <Cherry Gene>"

 

Jun. 7

- Kang Daniel

"REALIEZ" Album Pre-release Song 'WASTELAND'

- Han DongGeun

3rd EP "Relation"

 

Jun. 8

- P1Harmony

6th Mini Album "HARMONY : ALL IN"

- You ChaeHoon (LA POEM)

2nd Mini Album "Impasto"

- RAN

Digital Single "내게서 더 멀어지는 그대"

- J.Fla

1st Full Album "Burn The Flower"

 

Jun. 9

- P1Harmony

Digital Single "JUMP (Eng ver.)

- AleXa

Digital Single

- BTS

Digital Single "Take Two"

- DK

"같이 살자"

 

Jun. 11

- CHEEZE

'Blooming Today'

 

Jun. 12

- VAV

7th Mini Album "Subconscious"

- HASHTAG

Single 'DIAMOND'

- Jin MinHo

Single 'Lingering'

- Celine

Single '364 days'

- 2Z

6th EP Album "Like a Movie"

 

Jun. 13

- REN (Former NU'EST's Member)

1st Solo Mini Album "Ren'dezvous"

- Dive

Single 'Melt Down'

- THE BOYZ

2nd Japan Full Album "Delicious"

 

Jun. 14

- DKB

6th Mini Album "I Need Love"

- Lee HongGi

Remake Song

- Jung SeungHwan

Digital Single "EPILOGUE"

- Baek YeBin (Former DIA's Member)

1st Solo Single 'Contrail'

 

Jun. 15

- LUN8 (Fantagio's New Boy Group)

Debut 1st Mini Album "CONTINUE?"

 

Jun. 16

- ATEEZ

9th Mini Album "THE WORLD EP.2: OUTLAW"

- XIA

The movie "My Love" Collaboration Song 'Serenade'

- DinDin X TEI

 

Jun. 17

- NOEL

'잘사니'

 

Jun. 18

- SWJA

Drama "See You in My 19th Life" OST Part 1 'Silence'

 

Jun. 19

- Kang Daniel

4th Mini Album "REALIEZ"

- Roy Kim

Single 'WE GO HIGH'

- PENOMECO

 

Jun. 20

- Kim JaeHwan

6th Mini Album "J.A.M"

 

Jun. 21

- Lapillus

2nd Mini Album "GIRL’s ROUND Part. 2"

- OOHYO

Single 'Honey Tea'

- JANNABI

 Single 'pony'

 

Jun. 23

- I.M (MONSTA X)

EP Album "OVERDRIVE"

- Dynamic Duo

Pre-Release Digital Single "2 Kids On The Block - Part.1"

 

Jun. 26

- SHINee

8th Album "HARD"

- 8TURN

2nd Mini Album "UNCHARTED DRIFT"

 

Jun.27

- Han SeungWoo

3rd Mini Album "Frame"

- YENA

2nd Single 'HATE XX'

 

Jun.28

- Kim SungKyu

5th Mini Album "2023 S/S COLLECTION"

- UKISS

Mini Album "PLAY LIST"

- T5 (TREASURE's Unit)

Pre-release Single 'MOVE'

- TVXQ

Japan Single 'Lime ＆ Lemon'

 

Jun. 29

- WEi

6th Mini Album "Love Pt.3: Eternally"

- Park BoRam

Single Album

 

To Be Announced

Jeon SoMi

BEENZINO

KOYOTE

T.O.P (BIGBANG)

G-Dragon (BIGBANG)

BLANK2Y

NINE.i (August)

Nine Muses (Summer)

Brave Girls (Summer)

Young K (Day6, September)

 

Did you finish checking the June K-Pop Comeback/Debut Schedule? If you are curious about Kpopmap's July 2023 comeback & debut schedule, you can check it out at the link below!

 

ripple Special

Time to say goodbye to 2023!👋

In 2023, we've swum with joy among rapidly changing trends and waves of new music. Here are the main issues and albums of the year. Let's take a look at the 11 keywords that swept our bodies and minds this year!

 

#WEB SERIES

- From <Moving> to <Mask Girl> and <Taxi Driver 2>... Among the many beloved TV series in 2023, the web comics-based series stood out. Web comics and web novels are now attracting attention in the mainstream.

Many OSTs of the web series were loved this year, including <No Office Romance!> featuring Young K(Day 6) and TAEMIN, <Killer Peter> featuring BLASÉ and Moon Sujin.

 

#4TH GENERATION

- The new golden age of K-pop has come with the 4th generation idols! In 2023, there were many artists who announced their debut and teams that made their comeback after a long time.

From ROCKY's debut single 'Lucky Rocky,'  DKB's 'What The Hell,' CRAXY's 'NUGUDOM' and JUST B's 'MEDUSA' to TRENDZ's 'MY WAY,' colorful music have filled the K-pop scene. Who was your favorite 4G idol?

---

 

#BOY'S LOVE

- BL(Boy's Love) genre isn't subculture anymore!

This year, there were quality OSTs for the 'BL' contents like web comics-based TV series <Unintentional Love Story> and the gay dating reality show <HisMan 2>. Especially, the OST of <Unintentional Love Story> was loved so much that it led to the release of the CD.  It proved the power of BL content, expected to grow further with its flexible and open stories.

#ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACKS

- As well as the Korean dramas, the OSTs are also loved. Do you remember the OSTs of TV series like <Doctor Cha>, <Sparking Watermelon>, <Bitch X Rich> and <Maestra>?

Especially <Doctor Cha>, aired worldwide on Netflix, taking first place on 'TOP 10 TV Shows' in Indonesia and Malaysia, was also loved by the soundtracks. Korea's greatest vocalists Sondia, Jung Seung Hwan, Rothy, Shinae An and PARK MIN HYE participated to make the drama fans to get more immersed in the story.

---

 

#MBTI

- Have you ever heard of the meme, "Are you 'T'?"  MBTI was used on various K-pop songs this year.

On Valentine's Day, JUST B released 'MBTI,' a collaboration with AleXa. The sweet melody goes well with the witty lyrics - 'We're not 'I', 'E' but 'W', 'E''.

Seen Hyun Hee from SEENROOT also dropped a single called 'I YA E YA (MBTI)', a bubbly song about a girl who's confused if she is 'E'xtraverted or 'I'ntroverted.

#SMUGGLERS

- "The Korean movie with the richest soundtrack ever," said Ryu, the director of <Smugglers>.

<Smugglers> ranked top 3 in the box office of Korean movies released in 2023. Chang Kiha, well known as a huge fan of the 70s music, has participated as a music director of <Smugglers> and won 'Blue Dragon Film Awards' for Best Music.

Oasis Records' old songs 'Love and Hate', 'Sending on the Night Train', 'Even If I Don't Know Where You Are' were in the list.

---

 

#COVERS

- There are songs that are loved even after a long time. Lim Hyun Jung's 'Falling in Love is like the Spring Rain, Parting is like the Winter Rain', Zitten's 'White Night' and Se7en's 'Come Back To Me' are one of those.

Shin Ji Hoon, Mingginyu and Grizzly have covered the old songs in their own versions, making the orignal version shine again after 10 to 20 years.

#ROCKSTARS

- There were so many blasting rock music with fresh sounds! Rock never dies, and Grammy Awards highlighted Korean band music recently.

Here are the 'rockstars' that debuted or came back this year : TOXIC, BluePaprika, CHASEDAE, The Cracker, Mool, WESTOF, ...

Enjoy the hottest band music which takes away the coldness of winter!

---

 

#REELS AND SHORTS

- I'm going to sleep after watching this. (Wasting my time for 57231 hours...)

If you're addicted to Reels or Shorts, you must have heard of these songs. Lee Daneung's 'Especially For You' was used in almost 2M reels and  Summer Park's 'Love Me Like' was used in 115K reels.

Also, a reels star has born! Park Chan Young uploaded several live clips with himself playing a cello with his signature pitchcato style. Covering 'Seven', 'A Walk' and 'Dandelion', his reels hit over 8M views each.

#LEGENDS ARE BACK

- The living legends have come back this year.

Yoon Sang and Park Nam Jung, also known as the fathers of Anton of RIIZE and Sieun of STAYC, came back with their own music this year! Yoon Sang and LeeJunoh teamed up as 'Nohys', releasing a full album with the best auditory experience. Park Nam Jung dropped a remake version of 'HEARTACHE' last June.

BMK, the god mother of Korean soul music, has released a studio album in 16 years to mark her 20th anniversary.

---

#REFRESH

- Endemic's coming! This year, we were able to do outdoor activities freely, and I was able to take off the masks, sing, and go wild again! It was 2023 that refreshes the musicians who had been waiting for this time.

There was an interesting project under the theme of 'Refresh'. A song camp was held for indie musicians and produced a compilation album [fresh as... ⁎⁺˳✧༚]. It provided interaction for artists of various genres. New music was created that will refresh the listeners too!