[Dispatch=Yuha Neul Reporter] This year's 'Baeksang' grand prize went to the film "The Man Living with the King" (Director Jang Hang-jun). The film swept four awards including the Grand Prize, New Actor Award, Popularity Award, and Impact Award.

Yoo Hae-jin received the Grand Prize in the film category. He said, "I am grateful to the 17 million audiences who found 'The Man Living with the King,'" and expressed his feelings, "I am pleased to see energy returning to theaters and to feel again the taste of the cinema that had been forgotten."

He also gave credit to co-star Park Ji-hoon, who played 'Dangjong.' "He gave me good eye contact and chemistry. I was able to act while receiving that energy," he said, showing affection.

He continued, "I have lived by recalling the words of the late senior An Sung-ki, 'What is important is how an actor lives when they don't have projects.' I would like to dedicate this honor to senior Song Hae-suk, who guided me on the path of acting."

The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards took place on the 8th at COEX D Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It covered broadcasting, film, performance, and theater from the past year (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026).

In particular, to mark the 60th anniversary of Korean musical theater this year, a musical category was newly established. Three award categories—Best Work, Creativity Award, and Acting Award—were presented for the first time.

The Grand Prize in the broadcasting category went to Ryu Seung-ryong (for "Seoul House, Corporate Manager Kim's Story"). He authentically portrayed 'Kim Nak-soo,' a middle-aged man collapsing from a position he had struggled to reach throughout his life.

Ryu Seung-ryong said, "Memories came back of posting posters with actor Yoo Hae-jin in a New York theater 30 years ago and working part-time at a factory in Jochiwon," and added, "I am deeply moved to receive the Grand Prize together."

He said, "I believe that sincere words like 'it's okay,' 'thank you,' and 'I love you' can save someone," and expressed, "I want to tell all the Nak-soos across the country to be happy."

Hyun Bin of "Made in Korea" won the Best Male Acting Award in the broadcasting category. He reflected, "It was an intense but happy set," and said, "The chemistry with my fellow actors was thrilling."

The Best Female Acting Award went to Park Bo-young for "Unknown Seoul." Park Bo-young said, "There was pressure to prove my value and purpose in every moment," while adding with emotion, "I am grateful to my fellow actors who became good competitors."

She concluded her remarks with a famous line from the drama. Park Bo-young said, "I want to share with all the deer and hermit crabs in this world the words, 'Yesterday is over, tomorrow is far away, and today is still unknown.'"

The Best Acting Awards in the film category went to Park Jung-min ("Face") and Moon Ga-young ("What If We") respectively. Moon Ga-young said, "This year marks my 20th year since debut," and expressed, "I will continue to live acting many different lives."

Park Ji-hoon won both the New Actor Award and Popularity Award in the film category. He said, "I am grateful to Director Jang Hang-jun for trusting me until the end, though I was out of shape before filming," and expressed, "It was an honor to share energy with senior Yoo Hae-jin on the same project."

Park Ji-hoon and Im Yoon-ah recorded over 1 million and 400,000 votes respectively in the Naver poll. Im Yoon-ah said, "I am grateful to Sowon, who always overflows with love," referring to her fandom name, and added, "I will continue to greet you with various sides of myself."

The Creativity Award in the newly established musical category was given to choreographer Seo Byung-gu of "Evita." He said, "It has been 38 years since I started in musical theater," and expressed, "I will continue to work toward musical development as an active choreographer."

The Acting Award went to Kim Jun-soo for "Beetlejuice." He said, "I am deeply moved to be attending in person after always watching the Baeksang Awards on TV," and suggested, "I hope starting next year, male and female acting categories will be awarded separately."

A special stage followed. Chef Choi Kang-rok, winner of the Netflix variety show "Black and White Chef: The Kitchen Culinary Class War Season 2," took the stage and performed a percussion performance.

A tribute segment was also held. VCR footage of performances by artists who have passed away, including the late An Sung-ki, Lee Soon-jae, Yoon Seok-hwa, and Jeon Yu-sung, was screened. Director Lee Byung-woo's guitar performance and Yoo Yeon-seok's song added to the tribute.

As An Sung-ki's voice saying "You haven't forgotten my face, have you?" and Lee Soon-jae's words "I have lived well thanks to you" echoed through the hall, eyes glistened in seats throughout the audience.

Shin Dong-yeop said, "I will engrave once more in my heart the faces and spirit of those we have lost and the moments they left behind."

Suzy said with emphasis, "Though the beautiful season of an era has ended, the art they left behind has not ended," and added, "We will continue to pass on the path of that art to future generations."

<Below is the list of winners (partial) of the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards>

▶ Broadcasting Grand Prize: Ryu Seung-ryong ("Seoul House, Corporate Manager Kim's Story")

▶ Film Grand Prize: Yoo Hae-jin ("The Man Living with the King")

▶ Film Best Work: "No Way Out"

▶ Broadcasting Drama Best Work: "Grace and Sangyeon"

▶ Broadcasting Best Male Acting: Hyun Bin ("Made in Korea")

▶ Broadcasting Best Female Acting: Park Bo-young ("Unknown Seoul")

▶ Film Best Male Acting: Park Jung-min ("Face")

▶ Film Best Female Acting: Moon Ga-young ("What If We")

▶ Theater Acting Award: Kim Shin-rok ("Prima Fascia")

▶ Broadcasting Male Entertainment Award: Ki An-84

▶ Broadcasting Female Entertainment Award: Lee Soo-ji

▶ Film Director Award: Yoon Ga-eun ("Master of the World")

▶ Broadcasting Director Award: Park Shin-woo ("Unknown Seoul")

▶ Broadcasting Documentary Work Award: "Our Time Shines"

▶ Broadcasting Entertainment Work Award: "New Director Kim Yeon-kyung"

▶ Broadcasting Male Supporting Actor: Yu Seung-mok ("Seoul House, Corporate Manager Kim's Story")

▶ Broadcasting Female Supporting Actress: Lim Soo-jung ("Fine: Country Bumpkins")

▶ Film Male Supporting Actor: Lee Sung-min ("No Way Out")

▶ Film Female Supporting Actress: Shin Se-kyung ("Huemint")

▶ Broadcasting Male New Actor: Lee Chae-min ("The Tyrant's Chef")

▶ Broadcasting Female New Actor: Bang Hyo-rin ("Aema")

▶ Film Male New Actor: Park Ji-hoon ("The Man Living with the King")

▶ Film Female New Actor: Seo Soobin ("Master of the World")

▶ Film New Director Award: Park Junho ("3670")

▶ Theater Young Theater Award: "Chariot of Fire"

▶ Broadcasting Art Award: Kang Seung-won ("The Seasons"/Music)

▶ Film Art Award: Lee Min-hee ("Pavane"/Music)

▶ Broadcasting Screenplay Award: Song Hye-jin ("Grace and Sangyeon")

▶ Film Screenplay Award: Byun Sung-hyun, Lee Jin-sung ("Good News")

▶ Musical Best Work: "Spring Dreams"

▶ Musical Creativity Award: Seo Byung-gu ("Evita")

▶ Musical Acting Award: Kim Jun-soo ("Beetlejuice")

▶ Baeksang Theater Award: "Jellyfish"

▶ Naver Popularity Award: Park Ji-hoon, Im Yoon-ah

▶ Gucci Impact Award: "The Man Living with the King"

<Photo Source=Chizzik, JTBC>