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.

Korean BLs made an impressive entry into the BL world back in 2020 with "Where Your Eyes Linger" and other releases that year. Since then, the scene has gradually grown and improved over the years, paving the way for various masterpieces to trend across social media everywhere. And once again, 2024 seems to be a great year for BL fans.

We've gathered the Korean BL web dramas announced for 2024. Some dramas in this list lack released information, but we try to update regularly.

We often update this list, so stay tuned. The dramas are not listed according to a specific order.

 

1. "Love For Love's Sake"

Adapted from the webtoon "Love Supremacy Zone".

Summary: One day, a 29-year-old man gets trapped inside the body of a 19-year-old young student, an extra character from the novel that his sunbae was writing. A translucent window appears where he receives a mission—to make Cha YeonWoon happy within 300 days—and his life at stake as his penalty. Will he be able to survive, protect his loved ones, and fulfill his mission?

Cast: Lee TaeVin, Cha JooWan, Oh MinSoo, Cha WoongKi

When: January 24, 2024 premiere

You can watch on: GagaOOLala

 

2. "Relieve The Curse Of Taekwondo"

Directed by Hwang DaSeul, the same director as "To My Star," "Where Your Eyes Linger," and "Blueming".

Summary: TBA

Cast: Jang YeonWoo (Rumored), Lee Seon (Rumored)

When: TBA

You can watch on: TBA

 

3. "Boys Be Brave"

Directed by Lim HyunHee, the same director as "Our Dating Sim". Adapted from the webtoon, "Roommates".

Summary: JinWoo, is a young man who finds himself living with his crush, KiSub, who entered his home uninvited and crashed on his couch for a little too long. The narrative also explores the relationship between Sunny and InHo, who hold onto a secret from their high school days.

Cast: Kim SongHyen, Nam SiAn, Jung YeoJun, Ahn SeMin.

When: April 25th

You can watch on: TBA

 

4. "Secret Relationship"

The web drama is an adaption of the webtoon by the same name written by McQueen STUDIO.

Summary: DaOn is a smart, resourceful, and hardworking employee, trying to overcome his poverty. His cheap ways get on the nerve of his co-worker SeongHyun, who hates him. After a certain incident with poor parents, DaOn gets closer with SeongHyun, while he tries to settle his feelings for his previous tutor JaeMin. With emotions all mixed up and all the secrets, what will be DaOn's fate?

Cast: TBA

When: TBA

You can watch on: TBA

 

5. "Good Night To Get Drunk"

Adapted from the audio story "Good Night To Get Drunk".

Cast: TBA

Summary: JunHyuk and MinSeok grew up taking care of each other. Eventually, the two go on different paths. Years pass, and one day, when JunHyuk arrives at home one night after a lecture, he finds MinSeok on the sofa in his living room. JunHyuk's eyes locked on him with an awkward atmosphere.

When: TBA

You can watch it on: TBD

 

6. "Eccentric Romance"

The same company that produced the BL "Peach of Time" is in charge of a second Thai-Korean BL drama "Eccentric Romance" ("기이한로맨스").

Cast: Save Saisawat, Yoon JunWon

Summary: It is the campus romance of two friends from the same club: the cold Sung Hoon and the shy and cute Jay. They encounter a mysterious murder case and look for the culprit.

When: TBA

You can watch on: TBA

 

7. "HeeSu In Class 2"

Cast: Lee SangJun, Cho JunYoung

Summary: The drama is based on a popular webtoon of the same name. The story is about the youthful romance of HeeSu, an ordinary 18-year old boy, and his neighbor who has a secret.

When: TBA

You can watch on: TBA

 

8. "Love Is Like A Cat"

Cast: Mew Suppasit, JUST B's GeonU and JM

Summary: "Love is Like a Cat" is a Thai-Korean romance between P'Uno, who got trauma and is now scared of animals, and Lee DaeByeol, working as a director in kindergarten.

When: Premiere on April 1st, 2024.

You can watch it on: TBA

 

9. "Blueming" remake

Adapted from the webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity"

Cast: TBA (casting is now open)

Summary: This drama will be a remake of the BL drama "Blueming" (2022) directed by Hwang DaSeul, based on the webtoon "Who Can Define Popularity".

When: TBA

You Can Watch It On: TBA

 

10. "Happy Ending"

Cast: Joo SeongHyeok, Park JuneMok

Summary: Hyun, a boy in love, his heart's diary.

When: January 24, 2024 premiere

You Can Watch It On: Strongberry YouTube Channel

 

11. "Love In The Big City"

Cast: Nam YoonSu, Lee SooKyung.

Summary: An audacious tale of two roommates, one a homosexual man and another a heterosexual woman. Through the eyes of Mi-ae begins Goyoung’s clumsy love story. Stories of laughter, tears, and wounds between a mother in denial of his gender identity and a lover unable to escape societal judgment. Goyoung finally meets a pure love like no other, Gyu-ho, but has no choice but to let him go. With Kyu-ho gone, Go-young follows a stranger to Thailand and spends a late monsoon vacation. Reminiscing about the good old days that can never be retrieved, he achieves complete personal growth.

When: Third quarter of 2024

You can watch it on: TBA

 

12. "Jazz For Two"

Cast: Ji HoGeun, Newkidd's JinKwon, OMEGA X's HanGyeom, and Kim JungHa.

Summary: TaeYi meets SeHeon, the new transfer student, in the music room. How dare SeHeon play TaeYi's brother’s song? “If I ever catch you playing the piano again...that’ll be the end of you.” And with that begins TaeYi and SeHeon's story, as unpredictable and visceral as jazz.

When: March 25, 2024

You can watch it on: TBA

 

13. "Please Teach Me"

Cast: Park HyeongSeop, and Lee SangMin.

Summary: "Please Teach Me" is a collection of BL shorts consisting of 50 episodes of one minute each telling a charming and heartwarming romance between top idol Do-yoon and, the idol infamous for his poor acting, Shi-woo, as they participate in an acting workshop together

When: March 12, 2024.

You can watch it on: Top Reels (Korean Streaming platform)

 

14. "Actor:eal"

Cast: not revealed.

Summary: ‘Actor:eal’ depicts the story of two actors portraying as friends who have known for 10 years, with one harboring feelings towards the other. A new character introduces hinting a bigger picture between the two actor—it is still acting or being real?

When: March 1st, 2024

You can watch it on: Ep1 on BL Company YouTube Channel, Ep2+ on STUDIO Major Line YouTube Channel

 

15. "Gray Current"

Cast: Lee JaeBin, and Jang WooYoung.

Summary: Cha SooHyuk is focused only on his survival, without any grand goal. He reunites with Lee YoonDae, who he was very close with. Yoon-Dae was living with his girlfriend but now has nowhere to go. They end up living together.

When: Set to air in April

You can watch it on: TBA

 

16. "WuJu Bakery"

Cast: Jeff Satur, Barcode Tinnasit, Q (Jun In Kyu) , DiOn.

Summary: A small bakery was re-established after all kinds of hardship in a small old town that holds precious memories with his parents before his long-awaited opening ceremony. A spaceship crash-landed, and the bakery was ruined... An alien and the handsome boss sat down in the bakery where a chaotic living together had begun. At the same time, the aliens who have been hiding in various parts of the city in search of them are revealed.

When: Second half of 2024.

You can watch it on: TBA

-to be updated-

 

Which BL web drama are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.

"Wedding Impossible" has finally reached its long-awaited end, closing out in spectacular fashion. Led by Jun JongSeo, Moon SangMin, Kim DoWan, and Bae YoonKyung, the lighthearted rom-com made the start of the week enjoyable and fun. Watching them grow as people and in their relationships served as a source of inspiration to all.

Now that it's over, the drama's absence is already setting in. Although there are many more amazing K-Dramas currently on air, "Wedding Impossible" held a special place in audiences' hearts. If you're feeling dismayed about the tvN show's end, then you've come to the right place.

Here are a few K-Dramas to add to your watchlist following the conclusion of "Wedding Impossible"!

 

1. "Because This Is My First Life"

Cast: Lee MinKi, Jung SoMin, and others

Summary: Yoon JiHo is a single woman who dreams of becoming the main scriptwriter for a hit drama. Nam SeHee is a single, IT-worker who owns a house but owes a large mortgage. In order to alleviate the costs, he rents out a room and unknowingly agrees to sign on Yoon JiHo as a tenant. After various happenings and pressures from outside sources, they decide to enter into a contract marriage.

Reasons To Watch: "Because This Is My First Life" is a classic marriage contract K-Drama. Although the two main leads accidentally enter into each other's lives, they form an unlikely bond that becomes even stronger with every new episode. They become sturdy pillars of support, causing them to realize just how much they mean to one another, leading to true love.

 

2. "Love In Contact"

Cast: Park MinYoung, Ko KyungPyo, Kim JaeYoung, and more

Summary: Choi SangEun works as a contract marriage specialist, helping her clients to live the perfect single life. She decides to close down her business, but this proves to be difficult, as one of her last clients, Jung JiHo, happens to fall in love with her. Then there's top star, Kang HaeJin, who also employs SangEun's services and vies for her affection.

Reasons To Watch: Piloted by the rom-com queen herself, "Love In Contract" is lighthearted right down to its core. While there are moments of pure sincerity and genuine affection, you can be certain that there will be various scenes filled with side-splitting laughter. You'll become completely immersed, eager to find out how Choi SangEun and Jung JiHo's relationship will progress, crossing over the line between contract marriage specialist and client.

 

3. "Business Proposal"

Cast: Ahn HyoSeop, Kim SeJeong, Kim MinGue, Seor InA, and more

Summary: Shin HaRi is an ordinary office worker. One day, she disguises herself and attends a blind date in place of her friend Jin YoungSeo, with the goal of being rejected. Come to find out, the man she's meeting is the CEO of HaRi's company, Kang TaeMu. Plans backfire when he calls the next day, asking for HaRi's hand in marriage.

Watch Because: Similar to "Wedding Impossible", Shin HaRi jumps through numerous hoops to ensure her secret identity remains just that — a secret. Watching her live a double life provides limitless excitement. But the drama gets better as TaeMu and HaRi realize their feelings for each other, eventually transforming into a true couple right in front of our eyes.

 

4. "Doona!"

Cast: Suzy, Yang SeJong, Kim DoWan, Park SeWan, Ha Young, and more

Summary: Lee DooNa is the main vocalist for idol group Dream Sweet. However, due to an accident, she has stepped away from the spotlight. Lee WonJun is a university student who just moved away from home and ended up at the same share house as DooNa. They meet and life is never quite the same for either of them.

Reasons To Watch: If you're a fan of second leads, you might want to check out "Doona!" which features Kim DoWan! He has much better luck in finding himself and someone to truly love here. Aside from the success of Kim DoWan's character, Suzy and Yang SeJong absolutely kill it. Their chemistry is sizzling and will have you binging through the series in an instant. If you start the series at night, beware, you might be in for an all-nighter if you do.

 

5. "My Lovely Liar"

Cast: Kim SoHyun, Hwang MinHyun, Seo JiHoon, Lee SiWoo, and more

Summary: Depicts the story of Mok SolHee, a woman who's cautious of others due to her ability to hear lies. She meets murder suspect, Kim DoHa, whom no one believes in. Their paths start to intertwine as they slowly learn more about one another and uncover the secrets that have remained hidden all these years.

Reasons To Watch: Just like "Doona!", no themes of contract marriage can be found in "My Lovely Liar". But in similar fashion to "Wedding Impossible", the main leads must navigate life together, slowly figuring out each other's various charms. They work through a mountainous pile of misunderstandings before they're finally able to be together, happy and in love.

Which K-Drama are you watching now that "Wedding Impossible" is over?