The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards nominee list dropped on April 7, 2025, and it’s already stirring up a storm online. Fans and netizens eagerly awaited the announcement to see which actors and dramas from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, would get a nod. While the list boasts big names like Park Bo Gum, Byeon Woo Seok, and Jang Nara, one absence has left many scratching their heads: Lim Ji Yeon. Her missing name has sparked a viral wave of confusion and frustration, with people asking—how could such a standout actress not make the cut?
Fans didn’t hold back after the reveal. Social media lit up with reactions, some praising the picks, others slamming them as a popularity contest over talent. But the loudest chatter zeroed in on Lim Ji Yeon, whose powerful role in The Tale of Lady Ok had everyone expecting her to shine on the nominee list. Here’s the full scoop on why her snub has netizens buzzing—and whether it makes sense.
The Nominee Announcement That Shocked Fans
The Baeksang Arts Awards, one of South Korea’s top honors, rolled out its 61st edition nominees on April 7, 2025. The Best Actress category for TV/Drama featured some heavy hitters:
Jang Nara (Good Partner)
Kim Tae Ri (Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born)
IU (When Life Gives You Tangerines)
Kim Hye Yoon (Lovely Runner)
Park Shin Hye (The Judge from Hell)
Best Actor nominees included Park Bo Gum (When Life Gives You Tangerines), Byeon Woo Seok (Lovely Runner), Ju Ji Hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call), and more. The list came from a tough screening process, looking at works aired or released in the past year. For dramas, at least one-third of the episodes had to air by March 31, 2025, to qualify.
Reactions poured in fast. Some fans cheered for their favorites, but others weren’t so thrilled. Online forums like theqoo erupted with comments like, “What’s with the nominees this time?” and “Are they picking based on hype instead of skill?” The biggest shock? Lim Ji Yeon—a name tied to one of 2024’s most talked-about performances—was nowhere to be found.
Lim Ji Yeon’s Standout Role in The Tale of Lady Ok
Lim Ji Yeon played Ok Tae Young (also known as Goo Deok) in JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok, a drama that aired in 2024 and earned rave reviews. She brought to life a woman who rises from a slave to a noblewoman, showing every emotion—fear, grit, pain, and victory—with jaw-dropping depth. Her performance wasn’t just good; it was the kind that sticks with you. Scenes of her fighting for her place in a harsh world had viewers hooked, and critics couldn’t stop praising her.
The drama itself landed a Best Drama nomination, alongside Lovely Runner, Doubt, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, and When Life Gives You Tangerines. That made her absence from the actress category even more baffling. Fans expected her to be a shoo-in, especially after her past Baeksang nods—like her 2023 Best Supporting Actress win for The Glory. So why did she miss out this time?
Netizens Speak Out: Frustration and Confusion
The online buzz was instant and loud. Netizens flooded platforms with their thoughts, and Lim Ji Yeon’s snub was the hot topic. Here’s what they’re saying:
“Honestly, I expected to see Lim Ji Yeon on the list.”
“Her acting was incredible, and I don’t get it.”
“So ridiculous…she should have been on it.”
“I can’t understand why she’s not even on the nominee list…”
Some pointed fingers at the process. “Looks like Baeksang is choosing nominees based on popularity instead of acting,” one user wrote. Others wondered if dramas like Lovely Runner, with its massive fanbase, edged out more deserving picks. Even Park Shin Hye’s absence from The Judge from Hell got a mention, but Lim Ji Yeon’s case stole the spotlight.
Not everyone was upset, though. A few defended the list, saying, “Everyone has different opinions, so it’s hard to please everyone,” and “Looking at how Baeksang works, I understand the nominee list.” Still, the overwhelming vibe was disbelief over Lim Ji Yeon being left out.
Why Was She Snubbed? Breaking It Down
So, what happened? The Baeksang Arts Awards picks nominees through a panel of 60 industry experts—directors, writers, producers, and critics. They judge based on acting quality, impact, and contribution to the work. Popularity can play a role, but it’s not the only factor. Let’s look at some reasons Lim Ji Yeon might’ve missed the cut.
First, the competition was brutal. Jang Nara crushed it in Good Partner, winning hearts as a tough divorce lawyer with a messy personal life. Kim Tae Ri delivered a soulful turn in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, and IU brought emotional weight to When Life Gives You Tangerines. Kim Hye Yoon and Park Shin Hye also had huge followings from Lovely Runner and The Judge from Hell. With only five spots, someone had to lose out.
Second, timing might’ve hurt her. The Tale of Lady Ok aired earlier in 2024, while newer dramas like When Life Gives You Tangerines (still fresh in March 2025) could’ve grabbed more attention. Voters sometimes lean toward what’s recent or trending hard—like Lovely Runner’s romance craze.
Third, her past wins might’ve played a part. Lim Ji Yeon took home a Baeksang trophy in 2023, and the panel might’ve wanted to spread the love to others, like Jang Nara, who’s never won despite years of solid work. It’s not official, but award shows sometimes balance recognition this way.
Still, her snub stings. The Tale of Lady Ok wasn’t just a hit—it was a showcase of Lim Ji Yeon’s range. Fans argue she outshone some nominees, and even neutral viewers admit her performance was top-tier. The disconnect between her drama’s nomination and her exclusion has fueled the uproar.
Do I Agree? Here’s My Take
Do I think Lim Ji Yeon deserved a spot? Yes. Her work in The Tale of Lady Ok was raw, gripping, and unforgettable—easily on par with the nominees. She didn’t just carry the drama; she made it soar. Leaving her off feels like a missed chance to honor one of 2024’s best performances.
That said, I get why the list is tough to crack. The five women picked brought their A-game, and each has a strong case. Jang Nara’s layered role, Kim Tae Ri’s emotional pull, IU’s depth—none of them are slouches. If I had to bump someone, maybe Kim Hye Yoon—Lovely Runner was huge, but her role leaned on charm over complexity. Still, it’s a close call.
The real issue? Baeksang’s limit of five nominees. In a year packed with stellar actresses, someone great was bound to get left out. Lim Ji Yeon’s snub isn’t proof of bad judging—it’s just a sign of how stacked 2024 was. Doesn’t make it less frustrating, though.
What’s Next for Lim Ji Yeon and the Awards
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards air on May 5, 2025, at 8 p.m. KST on JTBC, and the debate’s only getting hotter. Will Lim Ji Yeon’s fans keep pushing her case? Probably. Will it change anything? Not likely—the nominees are locked. But her viral moment shows how much people love her work.
To know the latest developments about Lim Ji Yeon and the Baeksang Arts Awards, keep an eye on VvipTimes, and allow notifications from us to get instant updates on your device.
We use cookies to enhance your experience. By consenting, you allow us to process data like Browse behavior and unique IDs. Declining may affect some site features.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
