The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards covers works released 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.
In the most prestigious categories Best Actor and Best Actress in television this year features many top names. On the male side are Ryu Seung Ryong, Park Jinyoung, Lee Junho, Ji Sung, and Hyun Bin. Meanwhile, the female 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 in Dear X, which many consider one of the best of her career.
In Dear X, Kim Yoo Jung plays Baek Ah Jin, a top star with a traumatic past and deeply complex psychological scars. The character carries duality appearing gentle 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 shed her long-held “innocent” image and embraced a darker, multi-layered character that demanded emotional depth and precision.
Fully immersed in the role, Kim Yoo Jung delivered a performance that continuously surprised viewers. Her cold gaze, haunting smile, carefully controlled dialogue delivery, and emotionally charged expressions brought Baek Ah Jin vividly to life as both fragile and dangerous. The seamless shifts between sweetness and cruelty left audiences constantly on edge.
Many believe she reached her peak in an iconic scene from episode 10. The now-viral pool scene showed Baek Ah Jin pushed to her limit holding a knife while smiling through tears. The contrast between her bright yet chilling smile, trembling eyes filled with suppressed pain, and the moment her tears finally fell created a deeply unsettling yet powerful sequence. In just seconds, Kim Yoo Jung conveyed tragedy, rage, and psychological distortion, with many viewers calling it an award-worthy clip.
Beyond acting praise, Dear X also achieved impressive results. The drama quickly ranked No.1 in paid subscriptions on TVING shortly after release and topped HBO Max charts in several Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It also maintained high rankings on Disney+ Japan and Viki in the United States, proving its global appeal. Clips from the series went viral across social media, generating massive engagement.
At the same time, Kim Yoo Jung topped the Good Data Corporation rankings for most buzzworthy TV-OTT actors, surpassing many other high-profile names. This further highlighted both her popularity and proven acting ability.
Given a role that combined artistic depth with strong public impact, her absence from this year’s Baeksang Arts Awards nominations has left many questioning the decision. On online forums, some have even called it “one of the most controversial omissions of the year,” with others joking that it feels like an “April Fool’s joke.”
Netizens shared reactions such as:
- “Kim Yoo Jung absolutely deserved a nomination. Her acting felt almost possessed it was that intense. Even now, when I see her face, I still think of Baek Ah Jin.”
- “Her performance in Dear X was incredible. It pulled me completely into the character’s psychology. It’s truly a milestone role such a shame she was snubbed.”
- “Is this real? I thought it was fake news.”
- “Even if I didn’t like the character setup, Kim Yoo Jung’s acting was outstanding. She definitely deserved a nomination.”
- “It’s unfortunate for Kim Yoo Jung and Lee Je Hoon. Awards really depend on timing and luck.”
Despite the disappointment, many agree that Dear X has solidified Kim Yoo Jung’s status as a truly capable actress, unafraid to challenge herself with darker and more complex roles. This transformation not only expands 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 gained attention for her expressive performances and bright image. Throughout her early career, she starred in major hits such as Moon Embracing the Sun, Dong Yi, and May Queen, earning the nickname “Nation’s Little Sister.” As she matured, she continued to build her career with leading roles in Love in the Moonlight, Backstreet Rookie, and My Demon.
With both talent and beauty, she remains one of the few actresses who have maintained strong popularity for over a decade.
While missing out on the Baeksang Arts Awards nominations is undoubtedly disappointing, in the eyes of many viewers, Kim Yoo Jung still stands as one of the most outstanding stars of Korean television over the past year regardless of whether her name appears on the list.
Sources: K14
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