58th Baeksang Arts Awards
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards was the fifty-eighth annual edition of South Korea's most prestigious ceremony recognizing excellence in film, television, and theatre, held on May 6, 2022, at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province.[1][2] The event, which honors works from the previous year across 32 categories, marked a significant moment for the Korean entertainment industry amid the global rise of K-content, with live broadcasts on JTBC in South Korea and internationally on TikTok. Hosted by veteran comedian Shin Dong-yup, actress Bae Suzy, and actor Park Bo-gum, the ceremony celebrated groundbreaking achievements, particularly in streaming series that gained international acclaim.[1] In the television category, Netflix's Squid Game won the Grand Prize for its cultural phenomenon status and innovative storytelling, while D.P. from Netflix and KakaoTV took Best Drama for its raw depiction of military investigations.[1][2] Notable acting wins included Lee Junho for Best Actor in The Red Sleeve and Kim Tae-ri for Best Actress in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, highlighting strong performances in historical and coming-of-age dramas.[1][2] In film, director Ryu Seung-wan received the Grand Prize for Escape from Mogadishu, a historical thriller about the Somali Civil War, which also won Best Film.[1][2] Sol Kyung-gu earned Best Actor for his role in Kingmaker, a political drama, and Lee Hye-young won Best Actress for In Front of Your Face, an introspective arthouse film.[1][2] The theatre category recognized innovative stage productions, though it received comparatively less spotlight compared to the booming screen sectors.[1] Overall, the awards underscored the growing global influence of Korean media, with multiple Netflix originals dominating the nominations and wins.[3]Overview
Event details
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony took place on May 6, 2022, at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.[4] The event commenced at approximately 7:45 PM KST and was presented by IS Plus Corporation.[5] The ceremony was held with an on-site audience for the first time in two years, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in South Korea, while still incorporating safety measures such as mask-wearing.[6][7] It was hosted by veteran comedian Shin Dong-yup, actress Bae Suzy, and actor Park Bo-gum, who brought a mix of humor, charm, and poise to the proceedings.[4] The ceremony was broadcast live on JTBC and streamed on platforms including Netflix and Wavve.[1] The event highlighted outstanding works and talents across Korean entertainment, with a focus on narrative-driven content that resonated amid global challenges, though specific production details emphasized streamlined operations to adapt to the pandemic era.[8]Significance and context
The Baeksang Arts Awards, established in 1965 by Chang Key-young, founder of the Hankook Ilbo newspaper under his pen name "Baeksang," serve as one of South Korea's most esteemed honors for achievements in film, television, and theatre.[8] Modeled after international accolades like the Oscars, the ceremony promotes artistic excellence and cultural development, boosting the morale of creators and elevating the visibility of Korean entertainment on both domestic and global stages.[8] Over nearly six decades, it has become a benchmark for quality, recognizing innovative storytelling and performances that shape popular culture.[9] The 58th edition, held on May 6, 2022, at KINTEX in Ilsanseo-gu, Gyeonggi Province, marked a return to large-scale in-person gatherings following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in South Korea.[10] It encompassed works released or aired between April 12, 2021, and March 31, 2022, a period dominated by streaming platforms and socially distanced productions amid the pandemic.[10] Hosted by veteran emcee Shin Dong-yup, alongside Suzy and Park Bo-gum in his first major public appearance after military service, the event blended tradition with contemporary appeal, drawing widespread media attention.[8] This ceremony held particular significance as it spotlighted the surging international influence of Korean content, exemplified by Netflix's Squid Game securing the Grand Prize (Daesang) in the television category for its groundbreaking global success.[2] The series' wins, including for director Hwang Dong-hyuk, underscored the awards' role in validating boundary-pushing narratives that resonated worldwide, amid a broader "Korean Wave" (Hallyu) boom.[10] Similarly, films like Escape from Mogadishu earning top film honors highlighted resilient cinematic achievements during challenging times, reinforcing the Baeksang's status as a cultural barometer for Korea's creative industries.[5]Background
Nomination and selection process
The nomination process for the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards encompassed works in film, television, and theatre released between April 12, 2021, and March 31, 2022, with nominees announced on April 11, 2022, via the official website.[11][12] A panel of 60 experts from the entertainment industry, spanning television, film, and theatre sectors, evaluated eligible entries to select the candidates, ensuring a broad representation of professional perspectives.[12] Prior to finalizing nominations, organizers convened a symposium involving officials from over-the-top (OTT) platforms, production representatives, critics, screenwriters, and program directors (PDs) to analyze industry trends and establish screening criteria. This was followed by a preliminary survey of 30 television sector experts—10 more than in the previous year—to compile initial industry opinions on potential contenders. A dedicated nomination committee then appointed specialized judges for each category, who reviewed the survey results alongside additional evaluations to determine the final slate of nominees, with discussions extending over four hours in some cases to promote thorough deliberation.[13] The selection of winners occurred post-nomination through a multi-stage judging process designed for fairness and depth. Judges conducted three rounds of screenings: the first for initial assessment, the second to decide the Grand Prize (Daesang) recipients early, and the third to finalize all other awards. Each category featured a panel of 4 to 7 judges, who engaged in extended deliberations and cast votes by majority; for instance, decisions in categories like Best New Actress were resolved by a 4:3 margin, while others, such as Best Drama, achieved unanimity. This structured approach emphasized artistic merit, innovation, and impact across the evaluated works.[13]Categories introduced or changed
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards, held in 2022, retained the established structure of categories across film, television, and theatre without introducing any new ones or making notable alterations to prior formats. The ceremony continued to honor excellence through core competitive categories such as Grand Prize, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best New Actor, Best New Actress, and technical awards including Best Cinematography and Best Music, mirroring the lineup from the preceding 57th edition. Special recognitions, including the TikTok Popularity Award (separate for television and film), also persisted unchanged, determined via public voting on the platform from April 22 to April 29, 2022.[11][5][2]Ceremony
Hosts and production
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony was hosted by the trio of veteran MC Shin Dong-yup, actress Bae Suzy, and actor Park Bo-gum, marking their reunion after previously co-hosting the 55th edition in 2019.[14][10] This lineup brought a blend of comedic timing from Shin, who has emceed multiple Baeksang events, and star power from Suzy and Park Bo-gum, both celebrated for their on-screen chemistry and hosting experience.[15] The hosts' dynamic was highlighted for guiding the event smoothly through its film, television, and theater segments, with Park Bo-gum making his post-military service debut as an MC.[14] The ceremony was organized by Ilgan Sports and JTBC Plus, under the JoongAng Group, and held at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Ilsanseo-gu, Gyeonggi Province, on May 6, 2022, starting at 7:45 p.m. KST.[10][16] Production emphasized a return to in-person format post-COVID restrictions, featuring live performances and presenter appearances while adhering to health protocols.[8] The event was broadcast live in South Korea on JTBC, JTBC2, and JTBC4, with international streaming available on TikTok to expand global accessibility.[15][9]Broadcast and viewership
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony took place on May 6, 2022, at KINTEX in Ilsanseo-gu, Gyeonggi Province, and was broadcast live across multiple channels in South Korea, including JTBC, JTBC2, and JTBC4, starting at 7:45 p.m. KST. This marked the event's return to a full in-person format with an audience after two years of COVID-19 restrictions. The broadcast highlighted excellence in film, television, and theatre, featuring hosts Shin Dong-yup, Bae Suzy, and Park Bo-gum. Internationally, the ceremony was streamed live on TikTok for the first time, broadening its reach to global audiences and incorporating interactive elements like a TikTok Popularity Award, won by actors Kim Tae-ri and Lee Junho. The TikTok live stream achieved significant engagement worldwide. This digital expansion underscored the growing influence of streaming platforms in Korean entertainment awards.Awards and nominations
Film
The film category of the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in South Korean cinema from works released in 2021, with nominations announced on April 11, 2022. The awards recognized excellence across directing, acting, screenwriting, and technical aspects, drawing from a diverse pool of films that included historical dramas, action thrillers, and independent productions. "Escape from Mogadishu," a historical action film depicting the 1991 Somali embassy crisis, emerged as a major highlight, securing both the Grand Prize (Daesang) for director Ryoo Seung-wan and the Best Film award for its gripping narrative and ensemble performances.[2][1] In the acting categories, Sol Kyung-gu won Best Actor for his portrayal of a cunning political strategist in the biographical drama "Kingmaker," praised for its depth and intensity amid a competitive field that included Kim Yoon-seok for "Escape from Mogadishu" and Choi Min-sik for "In Our Prime." Lee Hye-young received Best Actress for her nuanced performance in Hong Sang-soo's introspective "In Front of Your Face," standing out against nominees like Jeon Jong-seo in "Romance Without Love" and Girls' Generation's YoonA in "The Miracle." Supporting roles were honored with Park Hae-joon taking Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Escape from Mogadishu," while Youn Yuh-jung won Best Supporting Actress for her cameo in the period drama "The Book of Fish," marking a return to acclaim for the veteran actress. Newcomer awards went to Hong Kyung as Best New Actor for "The Book of Fish" and Park So-dam as Best New Actress for her action-oriented turn in "The Witch: Part 2. The Other One."[1][17][5] Directorial and writing honors included Best Director for Byun Sung-hyun's work on "Kingmaker," which balanced political intrigue with character-driven storytelling, and Best Screenplay for Jeong Ga-young and Wang Hye-ji's script for the romantic comedy "Nothing Serious." Technical achievements were acknowledged with Hong Kyung-pyo earning the Cinematography award for the tense visuals in "Hunt," and Park Seong-yong receiving the Lighting award for "Kingmaker." The nominations reflected a broad representation of genres, with films like "Sewing Sisters" earning nods for Best New Director (Kim Hyun-seok) and innovative storytelling in its slice-of-life animation.[2][5][17]| Category | Winner(s) | Film/Work |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize (Daesang) | Ryoo Seung-wan | Escape from Mogadishu |
| Best Film | Escape from Mogadishu | - |
| Best Director | Byun Sung-hyun | Kingmaker |
| Best New Director | Kim Hyun-seok | Sewing Sisters |
| Best Screenplay | Jeong Ga-young, Wang Hye-ji | Nothing Serious |
| Best New Screenplay | Park Ji-wan | The Book of Fish |
| Best Actor | Sol Kyung-gu | Kingmaker |
| Best Actress | Lee Hye-young | In Front of Your Face |
| Best Supporting Actor | Park Hae-joon | Escape from Mogadishu |
| Best Supporting Actress | Youn Yuh-jung | The Book of Fish |
| Best New Actor | Hong Kyung | The Book of Fish |
| Best New Actress | Park So-dam | The Witch: Part 2. The Other One |
| Technical Award (Cinematography) | Hong Kyung-pyo | Hunt |
| Technical Award (Lighting) | Park Seong-yong | Kingmaker |
Television
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards recognized outstanding achievements in South Korean television across drama, variety, and educational programming, with nominations announced on April 11, 2022, and winners revealed during the ceremony on May 6, 2022.[11][1] The television categories highlighted the growing influence of streaming platforms like Netflix, as evidenced by multiple nominations for series such as Squid Game and D.P., which addressed global phenomena and social issues.[10] A total of 15 television awards were presented, judged by a panel of over 100 industry experts, including directors, producers, and critics, emphasizing artistic merit and cultural impact.[11] In the drama categories, Squid Game secured the Grand Prize (Daesang), recognizing its unprecedented international success and innovative storytelling in a dystopian thriller format.[1] D.P., a military drama exploring desertion and systemic flaws, won Best Drama, underscoring the awards' attention to socially relevant narratives amid the rise of original Korean content on global platforms.[1][17] Leading performances were honored with Lee Junho receiving Best Actor for his portrayal of King Jeongjo in historical romance The Red Sleeve, and Kim Tae-ri earning Best Actress for her role as an aspiring fencer in coming-of-age series Twenty Five, Twenty One.[1] Supporting roles celebrated ensemble contributions, with Jo Hyun-chul winning Best Supporting Actor for his intense depiction of a squad leader in D.P., and Kim Shin-rok taking Best Supporting Actress for her nuanced performance in supernatural thriller Hellbound.[1] New talents were spotlighted through Goo Kyo-hwan's Best New Actor win for D.P. and Kim Hye-joon's Best New Actress for her lead in mystery series Inspector Koo.[1] Directorial and writing excellence was acknowledged with Hwang Dong-hyuk's Best Director award for Squid Game, praised for its tense pacing and visual innovation, and Kim Min-seok's Best Screenplay for the legal drama Juvenile Justice, noted for its incisive exploration of youth justice.[1][17] Variety and educational programming also received recognition, with Mnet's dance competition Street Woman Fighter winning Best Variety Show for its empowering showcase of female artists and cultural phenomenon status.[1] KBS's Documentary Insight: National Team took Best Educational Show, highlighting investigative journalism on national sports figures.[1] Entertainer awards went to Lee Yong-jin for Best Male Entertainer and Joo Hyun-young for Best Female Entertainer, reflecting comedic and hosting prowess.[1] Technical achievements included Jung Jae-il's Technical Award (Music) for the score in Squid Game.[1] The following table summarizes the major television drama award winners and notable nominees:| Category | Winner(s) | Notable Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize (Daesang) | Squid Game (Netflix) | N/A |
| Best Drama | D.P. (Netflix) | Twenty Five, Twenty One (tvN), Squid Game (Netflix), The Red Sleeve (MBC), Political Fever (Wavve) |
| Best Director | Hwang Dong-hyuk (Squid Game) | Yoon Sung-ho (Political Fever), Lee Na-jeong (Mine), Jung Ji-in (The Red Sleeve), Han Jun-hee (D.P.) |
| Best Screenplay | Kim Min-seok (Juvenile Justice) | Hwang Dong-hyuk (Squid Game), Baek Mi-kyung (Mine), Lee Na-eun (Our Beloved Summer) |
| Best Actor | Lee Junho (The Red Sleeve) | Lee Jung-jae (Squid Game), Kim Nam-gil (Through the Darkness), Jung Hae-in (D.P.), Im Si-wan (Tracer) |
| Best Actress | Kim Tae-ri (Twenty Five, Twenty One) | Han So-hee (My Name), Kim Hye-soo (Juvenile Justice), Park Eun-bin (The King's Affection), Lee Se-young (The Red Sleeve) |
| Best Supporting Actor | Jo Hyun-chul (D.P.) | Heo Sung-tae (Squid Game), Lee Deok-hwa (The Red Sleeve), Lee Hak-joo (Political Fever), Lee Hyun-wook (Mine) |
| Best Supporting Actress | Kim Shin-rok (Hellbound) | Jang Hye-jin (The Red Sleeve), Kang Mal-geum (Thirty-Nine), Kim Joo-ryung (Squid Game), Ok Ja-yeon (Mine) |
| Best New Actor | Goo Kyo-hwan (D.P.) | N/A |
| Best New Actress | Kim Hye-joon (Inspector Koo) | N/A |
Theatre
The Theatre category at the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in South Korean stage productions from April 2021 to March 2022, emphasizing collaborative efforts and innovative storytelling in a field often overshadowed by film and television. Held on May 6, 2022, at KINTEX in Goyang, the awards were determined by a panel of theatre professionals, including directors and critics, who prioritized works demonstrating artistic depth and technical excellence. This edition marked a return to recognizing theatre's unique contributions to contemporary narratives, with categories spanning performance, direction, writing, and production elements like lighting.[18] Notable nominations highlighted diverse talent, such as in the Best Actor category, where performers from experimental and classical pieces vied for recognition; standout contenders included Kwon Jeong-hoon for his role in The Sun, Kim Dong-hyun in A Man Typing a Typewriter, Yoon Sang-hwa in The Good Monster, and Jung Kyung-ho in Angels in America, alongside winner Park Wan-gyu for Red Leaves. The Best Actress race similarly showcased range, with nominees drawing from intimate character studies and ensemble-driven dramas. The Baeksang Play Award nominees focused on collective achievements, underscoring theatre's emphasis on group dynamics over individual stardom.[19] The winners reflected a blend of established and emerging voices, with Turkish March by Theatre Company Jakdangmoi taking the top Baeksang Play Award for its bold exploration of social themes through rhythmic, music-infused staging. Kim Mi-ran's directorial and writing work on This Might Be a Failure Story, Originally Titled Into the Unknown earned dual honors, praised for its introspective take on personal and societal failures. Performances by Park Wan-gyu and Hwang Sun-mi were lauded for their emotional intensity in Red Leaves and Hong Pyeong-guk Jeon, respectively, capturing the human condition amid historical and modern contexts. Direction by Lee Ji-na in Actresses on Earth was recognized for innovative spatial use, while lighting designer Park Chae-kyung's contributions to Turkish March enhanced atmospheric tension. These selections underscored theatre's resilience post-pandemic, fostering renewed audience engagement.[20][21]| Category | Winner(s) | Work(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Baeksang Play Award | 극단 작당모의 (Theatre Company Jakdangmoi) | 터키행진곡 (Turkish March) |
| Young Play Award | 김미란 (Kim Mi-ran) | 이것은 어쩌면 실패담, 원래 제목은 인투디언노운 (This Might Be a Failure Story, Originally Titled Into the Unknown) |
| Best Actor | 박완규 (Park Wan-gyu) | 붉은 낙엽 (Red Leaves) |
| Best Actress | 황순미 (Hwang Sun-mi) | 홍평국전 (Hong Pyeong-guk Jeon) |
| Directing Award | 이지나 (Lee Ji-na) | 여배우들의 지상에서 (Actresses on Earth) |
| Screenplay Award | 김미란 (Kim Mi-ran) | 이것은 어쩌면 실패담, 원래 제목은 인투디언노운 (This Might Be a Failure Story, Originally Titled Into the Unknown) |
| Lighting Award | 박채경 (Park Chae-kyung) | 터키행진곡 (Turkish March) |
Special awards
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards featured special awards focused on public popularity, specifically through a partnership with TikTok to engage younger audiences. These awards were determined by online voting rather than the standard jury process used for main categories. The TikTok Popularity Award (Male) was won by Lee Junho for his role in the historical drama The Red Sleeve, where he garnered over 1 million votes during the voting period from April 22 to April 29, 2022.[1][22] Similarly, the TikTok Popularity Award (Female) went to Kim Tae-ri for her performance in the romantic comedy Twenty Five Twenty One, securing 1.1 million votes and highlighting her widespread appeal among fans.[1][22]| Award | Winner | Work |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok Popularity Award (Male) | Lee Junho | The Red Sleeve |
| TikTok Popularity Award (Female) | Kim Tae-ri | Twenty Five Twenty One |