As anticipation builds for the upcoming Baeksang Arts Awards, one of South Korea’s most prestigious entertainment ceremonies, Korean online communities have begun actively discussing the actresses most likely to secure nominations for the coveted Best Actress (TV) award this year.
Among the names drawing the most attention are Kim Go Eun, Park Bo Young, Shin Hye Sun, Kim Yoo Jung, Park Shin Hye, Park Ji Hyun, and Jeon Do Yeon, each praised for standout performances in recent hit dramas.
Park Bo Young is frequently mentioned thanks to her acclaimed performance in Unknown Seoul, a drama that sparked a major buzz during its broadcast last summer. In the series, Park Bo Young took on the challenging task of playing four different roles, showcasing an impressive range and emotional depth that received praise from both viewers and industry insiders. Many fans even consider the drama her career-defining work and believe it could finally earn her the Baeksang Best Actress trophy.
Kim Go Eun, meanwhile, is widely regarded as the strongest contender this year. The actress delivered a remarkable performance in the Netflix series Everything About You And The Rest, where she starred alongside Park Ji Hyun. Often described as the Korean version of Soul Mate, the drama explores a complicated lifelong relationship between two women filled with admiration, jealousy, and emotional conflict. Kim Go Eun’s nuanced acting and intense chemistry with Park Ji Hyun were widely praised, elevating the series’ overall reception.
Adding to her momentum, Kim Go Eun also appeared in the suspense thriller Crime of Confession, where she starred opposite veteran actress Jeon Do Yeon. The Netflix original drama captivated audiences with its unpredictable plot twists and tense storytelling. Many viewers pointed out that Kim Go Eun’s powerful portrayal of a mysterious and morally complex character allowed her to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Jeon Do Yeon in their intense acting showdowns.
Kim Go Eun’s recent success comes after her major win at the 2024 Baeksang Arts Awards, where she took home the Best Actress (Film) trophy for the blockbuster movie Exhuma, making her one of the youngest actresses to achieve such recognition. The film also became her first project to surpass 10 million moviegoers, further cementing her status as a top-tier actress.
Another name generating strong buzz is Kim Yoo Jung, who starred in the drama Dear X. Although the series faced criticism for its controversial ending and deviation from the original webtoon, Kim Yoo Jung’s acting received widespread acclaim. She transformed into the chilling character Baek Ah Jin, a woman with antisocial personality traits, delivering a dark and unsettling performance that many viewers described as a dramatic departure from her previous image.
Veteran actress Park Shin Hye is also frequently mentioned in prediction lists thanks to her role in the workplace comedy Miss Undercover Hong. Despite initial skepticism toward the drama, the series gradually gained popularity and eventually achieved double-digit ratings. Park Shin Hye’s stable and natural acting once again demonstrated why she has long been considered one of Korea’s “ratings queens.”
Meanwhile, Shin Hye Sun continues to receive praise for her performance in the Netflix crime thriller The Art of Sarah. In the series, she engages in intense psychological battles with co-star Lee Joon Hyuk while portraying multiple layers of identity with remarkable precision. Her performance has been widely described as “textbook-level acting,” further strengthening her chances of entering this year’s Baeksang Best Actress race.
With such a competitive lineup of performances, the 2026 Baeksang Best Actress category is expected to be one of the ceremony’s most closely watched races. While official nominations have yet to be announced, the heated discussions among Korean netizens suggest that this year’s competition could become one of the most intense in recent years.
Sources: Yahoo News
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