The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards took place on May 5, 2025, at COEX Hall D in Seoul. Hosted by Shin Dong Yup, Suzy, and Park Bo Gum, the event celebrated South Koreaโs top talents in film, television, and theater. Netflixโs When Life Gives You Tangerines won big, securing four major awards. However, lead actors IU and Park Bo Gum left empty-handed, sparking heated discussions among K-netizens. Fans expressed mixed feelings about the snub despite the dramaโs massive success.
When Life Gives You Tangerines tells the story of Oh Ae Sun and Gwan Sik, a couple from Jeju Island. Inspired by a real-life story, the series follows their lifelong journey through love, family, and hardships. The drama earned nine nominations, including Best Drama, Best Actor, and Best Actress. It won Best Drama, Best Screenplay for Im Sang Choon, Best Supporting Actor for Choi Dae Hoon, and Best Supporting Actress for Yeom Hye Ran. The show dominated Netflix Koreaโs Top 10 for four weeks and charted in 39 countries.
IU, who played Ae Sun, was praised for her emotional depth and use of the Jeju dialect. Park Bo Gum, portraying Gwan Sik, delivered a gentle yet powerful performance. Both actors were nominated for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively. However, Kim Tae Ri won Best Actress for Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, and Ju Ji Hoon took Best Actor for The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call. This outcome shocked many fans, who expected IU and Park Bo Gum to win.
Social media platforms buzzed with reactions after the ceremony. Over 4,500 posts on X discussed IU and Park Bo Gumโs losses, with phrases like โIU went home with just applauseโ trending. Fans expressed frustration but also admiration for the actorsโ work. Some netizens felt the supporting actors outshone the leads, while others believed IU and Park Bo Gum deserved recognition.
โIU not winning feels like one of those โshe deserved it, but the stars didnโt alignโ moments. Her role in When Life Gives You Tangerines was widely praisedโshe fully immersed herself in Aesun and Geumyeong, and it left a mark on many people.โ โ @leejiweuns
โI really want to know โ if a work as deep and rich as When Life Gives You Tangerines still couldnโt make it to the Baeksang Awards, what does IU have to do to finally win that award? Itโs honestly heartbreaking.โ โ @chatshirelore
Some netizens praised the supporting actorsโ performances. Choi Dae Hoon and Yeom Hye Ran were lauded for their compelling roles. One fan commented, โThe supporting actors in When Life Gives You Tangerines were the real lead actors. They did so well.โ Others felt IUโs portrayal of a grieving mother lacked depth compared to her earlier roles, like in My Mister. Still, many believed IUโs performance was her best yet.
โIU did a good job portraying young Ae Soon, but then her โmotherโ acting was awkward. Especially when her child died, it was a scene of the most heartbreak and grief, but I couldnโt get immersed. I think that scene was a hard one, though.โ
โTheir acting was not bad, but the supporting actors were so much better.โ
“IU was known to be Kim Soo Hyun’s close friend for 14 years. IU was also involved in a lot of controversies in her career. Look at the film ‘Real,’ you can see Kim Soo Hyun’s true character in that movie. There’s a saying, ‘Birds of a feather flock together’. Things aren’t looking good for IU.”
“I was still so happy thanks to Ae Soon and Kwan Sik.”
“Their acting was not bad, but the supporting actors were so much better.”
“I liked IU’s acting better in ‘My Mister.’”
“IU did a good job portraying young Ae Soon, but then her ‘mother’ acting was awkward. Especially when her child died, it was a scene of the most heartbreak and grief, but I couldn’t get immersed. I think that scene was a hard one, though.”
“IU should’ve won something at least.”
“I think the supporting actors in ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ were the real lead actors. They did so well.”
The competition at the 2025 Baeksang Awards was intense. Lovely Runner, with six nominations, saw its leads Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon win Popularity Awards but no acting honors. Doubt and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call also secured major nods, adding to the tough field. Culinary Class Wars won the Grand Prize in the television category, while Harbin took the film Grand Prize.
Fans also reflected on IUโs career. Some brought up her past controversies, like her role in the film Real alongside Kim Soo Hyun. One netizen remarked, โIU was known to be Kim Soo Hyunโs close friend for 14 years. Things arenโt looking good for IU.โ However, others remained optimistic, noting that nominations are a significant honor. โIU is a good actress. She will have more opportunities to win awards,โ one fan wrote.
โI thought When Life Gives You Tangerines was IUโs best work yet.โ
โI think being nominated is also an honor.โ
Park Bo Gum shared moments from the event on Instagram, posting pictures in a black suit with co-stars. He wrote, โSailing with the love you sent. Thank you to everyone who supported me yesterday ๐ค.โ Fans flooded the comments with support, saying, โ@bogummy to us your fansโฆyou are and will always be our WINNER.โ IU, dressed in a white gown, also received praise for her elegance at the ceremony.
The dramaโs cultural impact was undeniable. Netizens called it a โnational phenomenon,โ with families across generations watching it. Its realistic portrayal of Jeju life and family sacrifices resonated deeply. One fan noted, โThe cultural & national impact with everyone & their mothers (literally) watching itโ. Despite the lead actorsโ losses, the dramaโs four wins solidified its place as a 2025 standout.
IU and Park Bo Gumโs performances continue to spark debate. Some netizens felt Kim Tae Riโs win was well-deserved, with one saying, โKim Tae Ri was too good in Jeongnyeon.โ Others argued IU should have won at least one award for her transformative role. The mixed reactions highlight the high expectations for the duo and the dramaโs massive popularity.
Also Read: Kim Go Eun Shares Stunning Behind-the-Scenes Photos From the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards; SEE PICS
Source: X(twitter) and Nate
