Latest news with #BaeksangArtsAwards
The Star
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Culinary Class Wars' Paik Jong-won to suspend TV appearances amid controversies
Paik Jong-won announced on May 6 that he would halt his TV appearances, aside from programmes currently in production. Photo: YouTube screengrab South Korean celebrity food entrepreneur Paik Jong-won has announced that he would be discontinuing his TV appearances in an apology video. The clip was posted to his YouTube channel on May 6 following a string of controversies. The news comes as Seoul Gangnam Police Station said that the 58-year-old is under investigation. There were allegations that his food and beverage company Theborn Korea claimed the ingredients used for its porridge product were domestically sourced in South Korea when they were not. This follows claims that a soya bean paste produced by his company was marketed as domestically made despite using imported ingredients. Paik is Theborn Korea's founder and largest shareholder. Despite never having worked as a chef at a restaurant, he earned a reputation for being an approachable and humble celebrity chef by giving business advice to struggling small eateries and sharing easy-to-follow recipes with viewers in his TV programmes. The allegations have hit Paik hard. They damage his image as an advocate for South Korea's agricultural and livestock industry, who often spoke of the importance of using home-grown and domestic ingredients. 'I will suspend all television appearances on all programmes except for the ones that are already in production. I will focus all my energy and passion on Theborn Korea, as an entrepreneur, not a television personality,' Paik said in a five-minute clip. His announcement comes just a day after the hit competition series Culinary Class Wars (2024), which Paik fronted as a judge, won the top honour of Grand Prize in the TV category at the Baeksang Arts Awards on May 5. He did not specify whether he would be stepping away from the second season of Culinary Class Wars , which reportedly started filming in late March and is slated to premiere on Netflix later in 2025. Theborn Korea, which operates multiple restaurant and cafe franchises, is also accused of breaking several laws related to food and livestock sanitation. There was a claim that it violated South Korea's food safety law when it seemingly failed to refrigerate meat used at a barbecue festival in 2023. It also allegedly used a pesticide sprayer to dispense sauce on the barbecue meats at the same festival, though it maintains that it acted in accordance with the law. Paik said he is to be held accountable for all the accusations related to quality and hygiene issues of the company's products. He said he would treat 2025 as a 'new founding year' for the company, which was started in 1994, and dedicate himself to reforming the company and its corporate culture. He added that he would launch an additional large-scale subsidy plan for franchise owners under Theborn Korea. Paik had previously pledged 5bil won to help franchise owners hit by the recent controversy, including exempting them from royalty fees for three months. Separately, a former television producer claimed that Paik made unreasonable demands while starring in the variety series My Little Television (2015 to 2017), by insisting on working with writers he picked and pushing out cast members he disliked. While he did not directly name My Little Television , he referenced allegations of him abusing his power on set. He said: 'If my words or actions hurt anyone during production, that is entirely my fault. I should have remained humble, especially after receiving so much support.' – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Culinary Class Wars' Paik Jong-won to suspend TV appearances amid controversies
Paik Jong-won announced on May 6 that he would halt his TV appearances, aside from programmes currently in production. PHOTO: PAIK JONG-WON/YOUTUBE SEOUL – South Korean celebrity food entrepreneur Paik Jong-won has announced that he would be discontinuing his TV appearances in an apology video. The clip was posted to his YouTube channel on May 6 following a string of controversies. The news comes as Seoul Gangnam Police Station said that the 58-year-old is under investigation. There were allegations that his food and beverage company Theborn Korea claimed the ingredients used for its porridge product were domestically sourced in South Korea when they were not. This follows claims that a soya bean paste produced by his company was marketed as domestically made despite using imported ingredients. Paik is Theborn Korea's founder and largest shareholder. Despite never having worked as a chef at a restaurant, he earned a reputation for being an approachable and humble celebrity chef by giving business advice to struggling small eateries and sharing easy-to-follow recipes with viewers in his TV programmes. The allegations have hit Paik hard. They damage his image as an advocate for South Korea's agricultural and livestock industry, who often spoke of the importance of using home-grown and domestic ingredients. 'I will suspend all television appearances on all programmes except for the ones that are already in production. I will focus all my energy and passion on Theborn Korea, as an entrepreneur, not a television personality,' Paik said in a five-minute clip. His announcement comes just a day after the hit competition series Culinary Class Wars (2024), which Paik fronted as a judge, won the top honour of Grand Prize in the TV category at the Baeksang Arts Awards on May 5. He did not specify whether he would be stepping away from the second season of Culinary Class Wars, which reportedly started filming in late March and is slated to premiere on Netflix later in 2025. Theborn Korea, which operates multiple restaurant and cafe franchises, is also accused of breaking several laws related to food and livestock sanitation. There was a claim that it violated South Korea's food safety law when it seemingly failed to refrigerate meat used at a barbecue festival in 2023. It also allegedly used a pesticide sprayer to dispense sauce on the barbecue meats at the same festival, though it maintains that it acted in accordance with the law. Paik said he is to be held accountable for all the accusations related to quality and hygiene issues of the company's products. He said he would treat 2025 as a 'new founding year' for the company, which was started in 1994, and dedicate himself to reforming the company and its corporate culture. He added that he would launch an additional large-scale subsidy plan for franchise owners under Theborn Korea. The company has a presence in Singapore with food establishments such as Bornga, Paik's Noodle, Paik's Bibim and Paik's Coffee. Paik had previously pledged five billion won (S$4.62 million) to help franchise owners hit by the recent controversy, including exempting them from royalty fees for three months. Separately, a former television producer claimed that Paik made unreasonable demands while starring in the variety series My Little Television (2015 to 2017), by insisting on working with writers he picked and pushing out cast members he disliked. While he did not directly name My Little Television, he referenced allegations of him abusing his power on set. He said: 'If my words or actions hurt anyone during production, that is entirely my fault. I should have remained humble, especially after receiving so much support.' THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Additional reporting by Jan Lee Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Culinary Class Wars wins top prize at Baeksang Arts Awards; IU loses out on Best Actress again
Netflix's hit cooking competition series Culinary Class Wars became the first variety series in the Baeksang Arts Awards history to clinch the top honour of Grand Prize. PHOTO: NETFLIX Culinary Class Wars wins top prize at Baeksang Arts Awards; IU loses out on Best Actress again Netflix originals won big in the television category at South Korea's prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards on May 5. The streamer's hit cooking competition series Culinary Class Wars, which pits established chefs against underdogs, became the first variety series to clinch the top honour of Grand Prize, also known as 'daesang', in the television category. 'It feels especially meaningful to receive the grand prize for a variety show,' Mr Yoon Hyun-joon, chief executive of Studio Slam, the production company behind the series, said in his acceptance speech. 'The stature of South Korean variety shows is rising.' The Baeksang Arts Awards was introduced in 1965 and recognises the country's best in film and television. The Best Drama prize went to the Jeju-set tearjerker When Life Gives You Tangerines, which wrapped its run on Netflix in March. It beat period drama The Tale Of Lady Ok, romance series Lovely Runner, thriller Doubt and Netflix's medical comedy The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call, which won for Best Screenplay. The supporting stars of When Life Gives You Tangerines were named Best Supporting Actress and Actor. Yeom Hye-ran played the protagonist's haenyeo (female free diver who harvests seafood for sale) mother, and Choi Dae-hoon played a vulgar village bully. Yeom's co-stars, singer-actress IU and child star Kim Tae-yeon, both of whom played her daughter Ae-sun onscreen, cheered her on in the audience. In tears, Yeom said: 'It's just nice that both my Ae-suns are here. Ae-sun, mummy won a prize!' Choi broke out his character's favourite catchphrase, 'Damn it!', in his speech. In disbelief, he said: 'Is this some sort of hidden camera prank? I'll continue living and doing my best. And in this cruel world, when you feel tired, remember to yell out: 'Damn it!'' Singer-actress IU pulled double duty playing two characters in When Life Gives You Tangerines. But she lost out for a third time in the Best Actress category. The winner was Kim Tae-ri, who reportedly spent three years training in the traditional Korean art of musical storytelling, or pansori, for period drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born. IU was previously nominated for My Mister (2018) and Hotel Del Luna (2019). The Best Actor accolade also went to the star of a Netflix series, with Ju Ji-hoon winning for his role of a cocky trauma surgeon in The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call. In the film category, the Grand Prize was given to cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo for his work on the Hyun Bin-led biographical period drama film Harbin, which also won the Best Film award. The movie centres on Ahn Jung-geun, a Korean independence activist who assassinated the first Prime Minister of Japan in 1909. Hyun Bin, who was nominated for Best Actor for Harbin, lost to Jo Jung-suk, who played a pilot in the comedy film Pilot. The Best Actress prize went to Jeon Do-yeon for the crime action movie Revolver. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
61st Baeksang Art Awards: Netflix's When Life Gives You Tangerines wins Best Drama Award, beating Lovely Runner, The Trauma Code
The Baeksang Arts Awards returned with a bang, once again uniting the biggest names in Hallyu under one roof. Often dubbed Korea's version of the Golden Globes, the prestigious event honours excellence across film, television, and theatre, drawing a star-studded crowd each year. Among the most anticipated contenders was Netflix's When Life Gives You Tangerines, which led the pack with eight nominations. As many expected, the drama, directed by Kim Won Seok and starring IU and Park Bo Gum, took home the coveted Best Drama Award. The series captured hearts with its tender romance and moving storyline, quickly becoming a Netflix sensation not just in Korea but around the globe. When Life Gives You Tangerines wins Best Drama at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards Netflix's When Life Gives You Tangerines took home the Best Drama award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, solidifying its place as one of the year's most acclaimed series. The drama beat out strong contenders, including The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (Netflix), Doubt (MBC), The Tale of Lady Ok (JTBC), and Lovely Runner (tvN), all of which received critical and audience acclaim. Congratulations to When Life Gives You Tangerines on winning Best Drama (TV category) at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards!🍊🏆#BaeksangArtsAwards2025 #BestDrama #WhenLifeGivesYouTangerines While receiving the award, director Kim Won Seok said, "I made this in an age of hate, hoping that I could help people just live among each other. I feel pleased to feel that some of that intention has been met. I thank everyone at Netflix, each and every one of whom I want to name , Baram Pictures, and everyone who has helped bring the high quality of this work. I really want to take the time to name them because without them, this really wouldn't have come true." Big night for When Life Gives You Tangerines In addition to Best Drama, the series garnered nominations in several key categories: Best Director: Kim Won Seok Best Actor: Park Bo Gum Best Actress: IU Best Supporting Actor: Choi Dae Hoon (Winner) Best Supporting Actress: Yeom Hye Ran (Winner) Best New Actress: Kim Tae Yeon Best Screenplay: Lim Sang Choon (Winner) And in case you missed it, the Baeksangs are keeping up with the times. What used to be the 'TV division' is now the 'broadcast division,' making room for both traditional shows and buzzy web series to compete side by side. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Tatler Asia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Winners, history and why it's Korea's most prestigious night
From record-setting wins to red carpet moments, here's your guide to the Baeksang Arts Awards—Korea's most prestigious celebration of film, TV and theatre Each spring, as cherry blossoms fall and filming wraps across the peninsula, Seoul's brightest stars emerge for the Baeksang Arts Awards. It's the crown jewel of Korea's entertainment calendar—where actors, directors, playwrights and idols trade the set for the spotlight, arriving in couture and commanding the red carpet like a runway. A cultural event with the gravitas of the Oscars, the flair of the Emmys, and the fashion spectacle of the Met Gala (with a uniquely Korean twist), the Baeksangs are where household names and breakout talents collide. From emotional speeches and closely watched wins to style statements that spark headlines, this is the night when Korea's entertainment elite—and their fans—hold their breath. Also read: Star-studded K-dramas with next-level casting and unforgettable cameos But the ceremony is more than a glamorous affair. With a legacy that spans nearly six decades, the Baeksang Arts Awards are a celebration of creative excellence, cultural influence and artistic achievement across film, television and theatre. Whether you're a seasoned K-entertainment fan or a curious newcomer, here's what you need to know—from its storied history and record-setting winners to the behind-the-scenes moments that have defined the event. Above 'Deaf Sam-yong' is the first film to be awarded at the Baeksang Arts Awards (Photo: IMDB) First held in 1965, the Baeksang Arts Awards were established by Chang Key-young, founder of the Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo, to honour outstanding contributions to popular culture. The name 'Baeksang' comes from Chang's pen name, meaning 'white elephant'—a symbol of wisdom, strength and distinction. Over the decades, the ceremony has grown in stature, expanding its categories and moving from intimate venues to high-profile stages like COEX in Seoul. In 2019, the iconic trophy was redesigned as a tribute to the 'Creative Human,' reflecting the evolving landscape of Korean storytelling and performance. Today, the Baeksangs are considered one of Korea's most prestigious awards, recognising excellence not only in film and television, but also in theatre—an inclusion that underscores the awards' deep respect for the full spectrum of performing arts. How are the winners chosen? Above Lee Byung-hun is one of the most awarded actors (Photo: IMDB) What sets the Baeksangs apart is their rigorous judging process. A panel of 60 respected industry professionals across film, television and theatre reviews all eligible works released between April 1 of the previous year and March 31 of the current year. The goal: to honour creative merit and cultural impact over popularity or commercial success. The Grand Prize, or Daesang, was introduced in 1974 and remains the most coveted accolade. Unlike other categories, Daesang nominees are not disclosed publicly in advance, adding a layer of anticipation to the event. There are 31 categories in total, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting roles, Best Director, Best Screenplay and the two Daesang awards for film and television. Record holders and notable wins The first Baeksang Arts Awards in 1965 were modest in scale, with few categories. Deaf Sam-yong (1964) won Best Film, while its director Shin Sang-ok and lead actor Kim Jin-kyu were honoured for their roles. Acting awards for women were introduced a year later, and television and theatre categories followed about a decade after the debut ceremony. Legendary actress Kim Hye-ja holds the record for the most Grand Prize (Daesang) wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards, with four accolades spanning from 1979 to 2019. Her illustrious career includes standout performances in both television and film. Meanwhile, actor Lee Byun-hun has the most wins for a male actor. He has seven Best Actor accolades across film and television and a total of 17 nominations. He's also nominated for the 2025 edition for his performance in the movie The Match . As for projects, the 2024 film Exhuma was nominated eight times and won four; meanwhile, 2019's When the Camellia Blooms received nine nominations, winning four. The 2020 edition was held without a live audience due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it still delivered memorable moments. That year, Bong Joon-ho received the Grand Prize for Parasite , even as he missed out on the Best Director award. The film also won Best Film, further cementing its global and domestic legacy. See more: Bong Joon-Ho confirms 2 sequels to his Oscar-winning movie, 'Parasite'
