Kim Soo Hyun Over Kim Ji Won? “Baeksang Art Awards” Judge Triggers Backlash After Commenting On “Queen Of Tears” Nomination
In 2024, the Baeksang Art Awards sparked major backlash among K-Drama fans when Queen of Tears actor Kim Soo Hyun was nominated for Best Actor while his co-star Kim Ji Won was noticeably left off the Best Actress shortlist.
The snub quickly became a trending topic, with fans expressing disbelief over the decision, especially as the record breaking show had just crossed the 20% viewership mark, an achievement rarely seen in recent years.
Now, a year later, judge and pop culture critic Jeong Deok Hyeon has finally spoken out about the controversy. His explanation, however, seems to have only added fuel to the fire.
“In Queen of Tears, people were saying, ‘Huh? Kim Ji Won didn’t even get nominated?’ … Do you know why that happened?
When the first round of judging started, it starts pretty early. Queen of Tears hadn’t even begun airing yet. So there was a lot of debate over whether to include it or not. Since it barely made the cutoff, there’s actually an original standard. If a certain percentage has aired, then it becomes eligible. But it was difficult for us to judge it properly without having seen the full content.
At the point we were watching it, Kim Soo hyun’s performance stood out clearly, but Kim Jiwon hadn’t really shined yet on the video. That’s why she didn’t make it into the nominations and actually, we explained all this to Kim Jiwon’s agency and the actress also heard it and accepted it all. The public doesn’t know, though, so they just criticize us. ‘How could they do that?!’ …
But awards like this, honestly, there’s a bit of luck involved.”
— Jeong Deok Hyeon
(Mar 29, 2025) Jeong Deok Hyeon, a pop-culture critic and one of the seven judges for the Baeksang Art Awards 2024 in TV category, revealed the reason behind the issue of Kim Jiwon not being nominated for the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards on 蘑菇食堂Mogu 💔
JDH: Actually, that… pic.twitter.com/7xR41nAQb4
— ᧁ🪽 (@kim_gwnii) April 11, 2025
His comments have not gone down well with viewers. Many fans felt the explanation lacked consistency — pointing out that if Queen of Tears wasn’t fully eligible, Kim Soo Hyun shouldn’t have been nominated either.
"Since it barely made the cutoff, there's actually an original standard. If a certain percentage has aired, then it becomes eligible."
4 episodes aired means it was not yet eligible for judging. Why rush?!Despite of not being technically eligible you still nominated the ML. 🤡 https://t.co/YKTc3GwHdr— Mary (@MherryRMA) April 11, 2025
shouldn't have nominated the actor then. this is just an excuse for the misogynistic industry that favors men and finds ways to honor them more than they do for actresses. https://t.co/uk00qLVMwU
— _🐣 (@clockwork0718) April 12, 2025
Others criticized the underlying bias they feel actresses face in the industry, calling out what they see as a pattern of overlooking female talent.
“honestly, there's a bit of luck involved.”
and when it comes to women, they said it’s all abt luck. misogyny at its finest. https://t.co/2N5uVZhTh5
— selene (@nellaneve_) April 11, 2025
bullshit, just say u favour actors more than actresses lah, dasar misogynist. https://t.co/L1zS4fO6O2
— nostalgi(oh)🍊 (@onna_dang) April 11, 2025
real ones remember all the snubs esp women. this article about no kim jiwon and kim taeri being released soon after nominations says it all. but, also han hyojoo and shin hyesun and so many more.
its all misogyny + “who” u know in the industry aka lot of these mid men. https://t.co/t27xheM7Ac pic.twitter.com/Nsu7W6KQgO
— eeyun (@wonsdouxlee) April 11, 2025
Regardless of awards or nominations, Kim Ji Won’s performance on Queen of Tears will always be remembered as one of the best of the best.
