The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards covers works published from April 2025 to March 2026. As soon as the nominations were announced, the list quickly became a hot topic of discussion among the public.
This year there are many important names in the most prestigious categories, best actor and best television actress. On the men’s side there are Ryu Seung Ryong, Park Jinyoung, Lee Junho, Ji Sung and Hyun Bin. Meanwhile, the women’s category includes Kim Go Eun, Park Bo Young, Park Ji Hyun, Shin Hae Sun and Lim Yoona.
What shocked viewers was not who made the list but who didn’t. Kim Yoo Jung’s absence quickly sparked controversy, especially considering her widely praised performance Dear Xwhich many consider one of the best of his career.
In Dear XKim Yoo Jung plays Baek Ah Jin, a top star with a traumatic past and deeply complex psychological scars. The character carries duality with him and appears kind and perfect on the outside while being calculating, controlling, and even ruthless underneath. The role marked a major turning point for the actress, as she abandoned her long experience “innocent” image and embraced a darker, multi-layered character that required emotional depth and precision.
Completely immersed in the role, Kim Yoo Jung delivered a performance that continually surprised viewers. Her cold gaze, eerie smile, carefully controlled dialogues and emotion-filled expressions vividly brought Baek Ah Jin to life as fragile and dangerous. The constant shifts between sweetness and cruelty left the audience constantly nervous.
Many believe it reached its peak in an iconic scene from episode 10. The now-viral pool scene showed Baek Ah Jin pushed to the limit holding a knife while smiling through tears. The contrast between her bright yet chilling smile, trembling eyes filled with repressed pain, and the moment her tears finally fell created a deeply disturbing yet powerful sequence. In just a few seconds, Kim Yoo Jung conveyed tragedy, anger and psychological distortion, so much so that many viewers called it an award-worthy clip.
Beyond the laudatory recitation, Dear X he also achieved impressive results. The drama quickly ranked first among paid subscriptions on TVING shortly after release and topped the HBO Max ratings in several Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines. It has also maintained high rankings on Disney+ Japan and Viki in the United States, demonstrating its global appeal. Clips from the series went viral on social media, generating huge engagement.
At the same time, Kim Yoo Jung topped Good Data Corporation’s list of hottest TV-OTT actors, surpassing many other high-profile names. This further highlighted both his popularity and his proven acting ability.
Given a role that combined artistic depth and strong public impact, his absence this year Baeksang Arts Awards the appointments left many questioning the decision. On online forums, some even called it out “one of the most controversial omissions of the year”, with others joking that it looks like a “April Fools’ joke.”
Netizens shared reactions such as:
- “Kim Yoo Jung absolutely deserved a nomination. Her acting almost seemed possessed by how intense she was. Even now, when I see her face, I still think of Baek Ah Jin.”
- “His performance in Dear X it was incredible. It pulled me completely into the psychology of the character. It’s such a vital role, it’s a shame it was snubbed.”
- “Is it true? I thought it was fake news.”
- “Even though I didn’t like the character structure, Kim Yoo Jung’s acting was outstanding. It definitely deserved a nomination.”
- “It’s a shame for Kim Yoo Jung and Lee Je Hoon. The prizes really depend on timing and luck.”
Despite the disappointment, many agree Dear X cemented Kim Yoo Jung’s status as a truly capable actress, unafraid to challenge herself with darker, more complex roles. This transformation not only broadens her acting range, but also raises expectations for her future projects.
Born in 1999, Kim Yoo Jung is one of South Korea’s most successful child actresses. She began acting at just four years old and quickly attracted attention for her expressive performances and bright image. Early in his career, he starred in blockbusters such as The Moon embracing the Sun, Dong YiAND May Queenearning his nickname “The little sister of the nation”. As he matured, he continued to build his career with leading roles Love in the moonlight, Backstreet newbieAND My demon.
With talent and beauty, she remains one of the few actresses who have maintained strong popularity for over a decade.
Despite losing the Baeksang Arts Awards nomination is undoubtedly disappointing, in the eyes of many viewers, Kim Yoo Jung remains one of the biggest stars on Korean television over the past year, regardless of whether her name appears on the list.
Sources: K14
