59th Baeksang Arts Awards to honor Korean films, dramas Friday evening

The 59th Baeksang Arts Awards started Friday evening to celebrate films and dramas that have enriched the Korean entertainment scene over the last year.[BAEKSANG ARTS AWARDS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE]

The 59th Baeksang Arts Awards started Friday evening to celebrate films and dramas that have enriched the Korean entertainment scene over the last year.

Also known as the Paeksang Arts Awards, the Baeksang Arts Awards is one of the three most prestigious award ceremonies in Korea, along with the Daejong International Film Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards. The Baeksang Arts Awards recognizes excellence in film, television and theater in Korea.

This year's Baeksang is expected to be headlined by cable channels and online streaming services, which have been expanding in the media landscape, beating the three largest broadcasters in Korea — KBS, MBC and SBS.

For best drama and entertainment shows, only works by cable channels and streaming services have been listed as candidates.

"The Glory" by Netflix, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" by ENA, "My Liberation Notes" by JTBC, "Our Blues" and "Little Women" by tvN will be competing for the best drama award. For best entertainment show, Netflix's "Physical: 100," Tving's "EXchange 2," Coupang Play's "SNL Korea 3" and tvN's "Earth Arcade" are included in the list of candidates.

Competing for the best film will be "Next Sohee," "The Night Owl," "Hansan: Rising Dragon," "Hunt" and "Decision To Leave."

The show will be hosted by actors Park Bo-gum, Shin Dong-yeob and Bae Suzy.

The 59th Baeksang Arts Awards will be broadcast live on local cable channels JTBC, JTBC2 and JTBC4, and digitally on TikTok. The festivity will start at 5:30 p.m.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]