62nd Baeksang Arts Awards 2026: Hyun Bin, Park Bo Young, and Yoo Hae Jin Steal the Show at Korea’s Biggest Night

The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards: K-Drama and Film Royalty Gathered in Seoul

If there is one award ceremony that perfectly captures the current global obsession with Korean entertainment, it is the Baeksang Arts Awards. Established in 1965, Baeksang is often called Korea’s equivalent to the Golden Globes, and the 62nd edition held on May 8 at COEX in Seoul delivered everything we love about this night: emotional speeches, showstopping fashion, and a few genuinely surprising wins.

Hosted by the trusted trio Shin Dong Yup, Suzy, and Park Bo Gum, this year’s ceremony celebrated the best in both television and film. Let’s break down the biggest moments and the full winners list.

The Grand Prizes (Daesang): Two Titans of Korean Acting

In Baeksang tradition, the Grand Prize is split between the TV and film categories, and 2026 gave us two incredibly deserving recipients. Ryu Seung Ryong took home the TV Daesang for his deeply moving performance in The Dream Life of Mr. Kim, a drama that resonated with audiences across Korea. Meanwhile, Yoo Hae Jin claimed the film Daesang for his commanding role in The King’s Warden, which also won the Gucci Impact Award and swept multiple categories throughout the night.

Top Acting Honors: Hyun Bin Returns to the Top

Perhaps the most talked-about win of the evening was Hyun Bin taking Best Actor (TV) for his role in Made in Korea. The Crash Landing on You star has been on a steady comeback, and this win solidifies his status as one of Korea’s most bankable leading men. Park Bo Young won Best Actress (TV) for Our Unwritten Seoul, continuing her streak of delivering emotionally grounded, audience-beloved performances.

On the film side, Park Jeong Min won Best Actor for The Ugly, while Mun Ka Young took Best Actress for Once We Were Us — both performances that critics have been praising for months.

Best Drama Goes to Netflix’s “You and Everything Else”

Netflix continues its dominance in Korean content with You and Everything Else winning Best Drama. The series, written by acclaimed screenwriter Song Hye Jin (who also won Best Screenplay), has been a cultural talking point since its release. The show’s nuanced exploration of relationships struck a chord with both critics and viewers worldwide.

Breaking Stars and Surprise Moments

Some of the most exciting wins came from the newer generation of Korean talent. Lee Chae Min won Best New Actor for Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, and former idol-turned-actor Park Ji Hoon also took home a Best New Actor award — a viral moment that had fans erupting in the audience. Bang Hyo Rin won Best New Actress for Aema, marking a breakthrough performance that everyone is going to be talking about.

The TikTok Popularity Award went to Lee Jun Ho and Kim Tae Ri, while Kian84 and Lee Soo Ji won Best Male and Female Entertainer respectively. Supporting honors went to Yoo Seung Mok, Lim Soo Jung, Lee Sung Min (for No Other Choice), and Shin Sae Kyeong (for HUMINT).

Why Baeksang 2026 Matters

This year’s Baeksang Arts Awards reinforced what we already knew: Korean entertainment is not a trend — it is the new global standard. From Netflix-backed dramas dominating the TV category to films like No Other Choice (Best Movie) and The World of Love (Best Director for Yoon Ga Eun) earning critical acclaim, the depth and quality of Korean storytelling continues to outpace most other entertainment industries.

For millennials who have been following the Hallyu wave since the early days of Boys Over Flowers and My Love from the Star, seeing actors like Hyun Bin and Park Bo Young stand on that stage is a full-circle moment. The Baeksang Arts Awards 2026 proved once again that Korean entertainment isn’t just surviving — it is thriving.