Kim Tae Ri wins Best Actress title at 61st Bakesang Arts Awards; IU misses out once again despite fan support

Kim Tae Ri has officially taken home the Best Female Actor (Broadcast) award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards for her role in Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born, edging out strong competition , including fan favorite IU.

This marks Kim Tae Ri’s third Baeksang trophy and her second Best Actress win, following her 2022 victory for Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Known for her powerhouse performances and emotional range, Kim was widely predicted to be a top contender, but IU's nomination for When Life Gives You Tangerines had fans hopeful she might finally clinch the title.

Kim Tae Ri wins Baeksang for Best Actress

Kim Tae Ri took the stage with grace as she accepted her Best Actress award, reflecting on the legacy of Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born and the world of female gukgeuk. She credited the entire team behind the production and spoke candidly about her journey as an actor.

“To be able to live in the most glorious days of female gukgeuk was such an honor,” she said. “I know that I lack a lot of things to be given this award, but to think in a positive light, I tried not to compromise. It may not have been the answer, but that was my fantasy. It stems from my aspiration to do better the next time, to fill where I lack with my fantasies. I will always try to be an actor who takes the desire to do better, not be ashamed of my aspiration to become a better actor.”

Congratulations Kim Tae Ri for winning the "Best Actress" (Drama) for "Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born" at the Baeksang Arts Awards 2025. #BaeksangArtsAwards2025 #Baeksang2025 #KimTaeRi #Jeongnyeon_TheStarisBorn pic.twitter.com/LzqReg0eD8

— Oppa Is Life (@theoppaislife) May 5, 2025

IU misses out on Baeksang once again!

IU, who starred in the wildly popular Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines alongside Park Bo Gum, was considered a serious rival in this category. The series itself won Best Drama and took home several key awards, but IU once again missed out on the individual acting honour. Despite being a four-time Baeksang nominee, The singer-idol has yet to win Best Actress — her two Baeksang wins so far have come via the popularity award.

The full list of nominees in the Best Female Actor (Broadcast) category included

IU for When Life Gives You Tangerines

Kim Tae Ri for Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born (Winner)

Go Min Si for The Frog

Kim Hye Yoon for Lovely Runner

Jang Na Ra for Good Partner

With this latest win, Kim Tae Ri further cements her status as one of Korea’s top leading actresses, while fans of IU are once again left hoping the next nomination will finally be the one.

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