The Baeksang Arts Awards have long been the gold standard of Korean entertainment, a night where the industry’s most prestigious honors are handed out with a level of gravity usually reserved for the Oscars. But the 62nd ceremony, held on May 8, has left the public discussing something other than the trophies. While the evening was meant to celebrate cinematic achievement, it instead sparked a heated debate over professional etiquette, “salty” behavior, and the fragile line between an inside joke and public ridicule.
At the center of the storm is actress Shin Se Kyung, who took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Humint. Under normal circumstances, such a win would be a career milestone. Instead, the victory has become a lightning rod for controversy, not because of the performance itself, but because of the reaction from the team behind the film No Other Choice.
The friction began almost immediately after the announcement. While some praised Shin’s work, a vocal contingent of netizens began questioning the merit of the win, citing Humint‘s modest box-office performance as a reason to doubt the result. However, the discourse shifted from a debate over acting credits to a debate over industry conduct when the cast and director of No Other Choice took to the stage.
A Sequence of ‘Salty’ Moments
The tension escalated through a series of on-stage comments that many viewers found uncomfortable. The pattern began with Lee Sung Min, who won Best Supporting Actor. During his acceptance speech, Lee pivoted from his own victory to express his disappointment over his co-star Yeom Hye Ran’s loss in the supporting actress category.
“When they were announcing the winners for the category which Hye Ran was nominated, I was so nervous. I even cursed because she lost,” Lee told the audience. While framed as a gesture of camaraderie and support for his colleague, the admission that he was “cursing” in the moment of another actress’s victory struck a discordant note with the audience.
The atmosphere grew heavier when Yeom Hye Ran herself returned to the stage as a presenter. Rather than maintaining the traditional poise expected of a Baeksang presenter, she introduced herself with a self-deprecating jab: “Yeom Hye Ran, who just lost.”
The climax of the awkwardness arrived with Director Park Chan Wook. Upon accepting the award for Best Film for No Other Choice, the acclaimed auteur attempted to address the elephant in the room. He thanked the judges, stating that the results gave him confidence that the judging had been fair, before adding a caveat: “Yeom Hye Ran may not agree, but please understand. Shin Se Kyung did well, too.”
The Divide: Inside Joke or Public Snobbery?
The reaction to these comments has split the entertainment community into two distinct camps. For some, the No Other Choice team was simply exhibiting the raw, human side of competition. Supporters argue that Park Chan Wook and his actors were using humor to diffuse the tension of a loss and that the “saltiness” was a playful acknowledgement of the unpredictable nature of awards.
However, a significant number of critics view the behavior as an exercise in soft power. Because Park Chan Wook is one of the most influential directors in global cinema, his “jokes” carry a weight that can easily be perceived as dismissive. To these critics, the repeated references to Yeom Hye Ran’s loss served only to diminish Shin Se Kyung’s achievement, effectively turning her win into a footnote to someone else’s disappointment.
The discourse on social media reflects this frustration, with many questioning the maturity of the industry’s elite. One viral comment noted, “It’s not a joke if you’re making someone feel uncomfortable,” while others suggested the team appeared “drunk on Park Chan Wook’s fame,” acting with a sense of entitlement that bordered on bullying.
The Best Supporting Actress Field: 62nd Baeksang Awards
| Actress | Film | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Shin Se Kyung | Humint | Winner |
| Yeom Hye Ran | No Other Choice | Nominee |
| Shin Hyun Bin | The Ugly | Nominee |
| Jang Hye Jin | The World of Love | Nominee |
| Jeon Mi Do | The King’s Warden | Nominee |
Why the Backlash Matters
This controversy highlights a growing tension in the K-entertainment industry between the traditional “auteur” culture—where the director’s vision and the team’s internal bond are paramount—and a modern audience that demands a higher standard of public professionalism and inclusivity.
By repeatedly centering the conversation on who didn’t win, the No Other Choice team inadvertently created a narrative where the winner was an interloper rather than a peer. For Shin Se Kyung, who has remained silent throughout the controversy, the situation is particularly precarious. She is caught between the critiques of netizens who question her win and the “playful” dismissiveness of the industry’s most powerful figures.
the drama serves as a reminder that at high-profile events like the Baeksang Arts Awards, the words spoken in the “spirit of a joke” are often scrutinized through the lens of power dynamics. When the most celebrated people in the room suggest that a result is surprising or disagreeable, it doesn’t just affect the loser—it casts a shadow over the winner.
As the dust settles on the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards, the industry awaits further reactions. While no official apologies have been issued, the ongoing debate suggests that the public is not yet ready to let the “salty” comments slide. The next major checkpoint for the industry’s sentiment will be the upcoming summer film festival circuit, where the performances of both Humint and No Other Choice will continue to be measured against one another.
Do you think the No Other Choice team was just joking, or did they cross a line? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
