Snubbed on the Big Night: Star of the Most Talked-About K-Drama Walks Away Empty-Handed

The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards wrapped up in Seoul with unexpected winners, leaving fans both surprised and disappointed—especially over the absence of trophies for 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' stars IU and Park Bo-gum.

Held on May 5 at COEX and hosted by Shin Dong-yup, Park Bo-gum, and Suzy, the ceremony aired live via JTBC and various online platforms. The event—officially titled The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards with Gucci—was one of the most anticipated shows of the year, with fierce competition in the Best Actor and Actress in TV categories.

IU and Park Bo-gum Snubbed, Despite Critical Acclaim

All eyes were on IU (Lee Ji-eun) and Park Bo-gum, who headlined Netflix’s critically acclaimed 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', a series that resonated deeply across generations in Korea and Asia. IU portrayed a rebellious Jeju Island teenager who matures into a strong, nuanced adult, showcasing her flawless dialect and emotional range. Park Bo-gum delivered a heartfelt performance as the tender-hearted Kwan-sik, offering subtle but powerful acting.

Yet, despite massive buzz, the Best Actor and Actress honors went to Ju Ji-hoon (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call) and Kim Tae-ri (Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born), leaving both IU and Park Bo-gum without awards.

Social Media Erupts: “No Award for IU?!”

Soon after the ceremony, social media lit up with frustration. On X (formerly Twitter), the phrase “IU no award” began trending, with over 4,500 posts in a matter of hours. Comments like “How do you put IU in the front row and send her home empty-handed?” and “Park Bo-gum deserved better” captured the mood. Many fans expressed disbelief, while still offering polite congratulations to the winners.

The disappointment stems not only from the star power involved but also from the scale and success of 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'. Directed by Kim Won-seok (Signal, Misaeng) and written by Lim Sang-choon (When the Camellia Blooms), the series boasted a whopping ₩60 billion (approx. $44 million) production budget. It depicted generational struggles and emotional journeys through the flow of the seasons, winning hearts both at home and abroad. It topped Netflix Korea’s Top 10 and appeared in the Top 10 list of 39 countries worldwide.

Still a Big Winner in Other Categories

While the lead actors left without trophies, the drama didn’t go home empty-handed. 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' won Best Supporting Actress (Yeom Hye-ran), Best Supporting Actor (Choi Dae-hoon), Best Screenplay (Lim Sang-choon), and Best Drama—a testament to its creative and emotional impact.

Director Kim Won-seok shared during his acceptance speech, “They say we live in an era of hate, but through this drama, I hoped people would embrace the idea of living kindly together.”

Final Winners and Legacy

The Grand Prize in the Film category went to cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo for Harbin, while Netflix’s 'Culinary Class Wars' took home the top honor in the Variety category. Jo Jung-suk (Pilot) and Jeon Do-yeon (Revolver) won Best Actor and Actress in Film, with Ju Ji-hoon and Kim Tae-ri winning their respective TV awards.

Although the spotlight may have shined elsewhere, fans agree: IU and Park Bo-gum’s performances were unforgettable. “They didn’t win awards, but they won our hearts,” one fan wrote. Others echoed the sentiment: “Award or not, their acting will be remembered.”

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