The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards, held on May 8, 2026, at COEX Hall D in Seoul and hosted by Shin Dong Yup, Suzy, and Park Bo Gum, celebrated top Korean achievements in the audiovisual industry. Often described as Korea’s equivalent of the Golden Globes or the Emmy Awards, the ceremony honored the best achievements in television, film, streaming content and, for the first time, musical theater.
This year’s edition reflected several ongoing trends in the Korean industry: the consolidation of streaming-driven dramas, the growing international visibility of Korean actors, and the increasing prestige of high-budget scripted productions aimed at both domestic and global audiences.Major Television Winners
One of the evening’s most discussed victories was Hyun Bin winning Best Actor in the TV category for Made in Korea, a drama praised for combining political tension, emotional storytelling and cinematic production values. His win further strengthened his status as one of Korea’s most internationally recognized stars.
Meanwhile, Park Bo-young received the Best Actress award for Our Unwritten Seoul, a drama that attracted attention for its nuanced storytelling and strong emotional resonance with younger audiences.
The prestigious TV Daesang (Grand Prize) went to Ryu Seung-ryong for The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, underlining the industry’s appreciation for character-driven narratives and mature performances.
Netflix-backed drama You and Everything Else won Best Drama, confirming the continued dominance of streaming platforms in shaping Korea’s premium scripted sector.
Film Category Highlights
In the film section, No Other Choice won Best Film, while veteran actor Yoo Hae-jin received the Film Daesang for his performance in The King’s Warden.
Critics noted that many of the winning films shared darker social themes and psychological depth, reflecting the Korean industry’s ongoing preference for emotionally layered storytelling capable of traveling internationally.
The Rise of Premium Korean IP
The 2026 edition also demonstrated how Korean scripted IP continues to evolve beyond traditional broadcast models. Most of the nominated and awarded titles were either produced with streaming platforms in mind or developed through hybrid financing structures involving global distribution strategies.
for the full coverage: Winners List
