“2026 Baeksang Arts Awards” Expands Its Stage with New Musical Category

The prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards is set to return on May 8, bringing a fresh and ambitious vision to one of Korea’s most celebrated nights in entertainment.

The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards with Gucci will take place at Coex Hall D in Gangnam, Seoul, marking Gucci’s fourth consecutive year as a partner, underscoring its ongoing support for Korean pop culture and the arts.

A Bigger Stage Than Ever

This year marks a major evolution for Baeksang with the introduction of a musical category, joining its long-standing fields of broadcasting, film, and theater. The addition is especially meaningful as 2026 celebrates the 60th anniversary of Korean musicals, signaling Baeksang’s commitment to recognizing the full spectrum of performing arts.

With this expansion, the ceremony further cements its reputation as a truly comprehensive awards body—one that embraces storytelling across all platforms and performance spaces.

“The Stage” as a Unifying Theme

The central theme for 2026 is “The Stage,” a concept that goes beyond a physical platform. It symbolizes every space where stories come to life—from TV screens and cinemas to theater and musical productions.

More than just a theme, it reflects Baeksang’s evolution into a boundary-breaking awards show that honors creativity across genres, formats, and artistic expressions.

Eligibility and Judging Criteria

Works considered for this year’s awards include:

• Broadcast and digital content aired between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026
• Korean films released domestically within the same period
• Theater plays and musicals performed during the eligibility window

To ensure fairness, previously excluded works due to overlapping timelines will now be reconsidered.

For broadcast entries, at least four episodes must have aired, while series must have completed one-third of their run by the judging period. Meanwhile, the Best New Actor and Actress categories are limited to performers with three or fewer major credited works—regardless of debut year.

In film, the Best New Director honor is reserved for those making their feature-length debut during the eligibility period.

Spotlight on Impactful Storytelling

The GUCCI IMPACT AWARD returns with the theme “The Stage of Impact,” recognizing films that spark meaningful conversations around social and personal issues while broadening audience perspectives.

New Musical Awards Take Center Stage

The newly introduced musical category will feature three honors:

• Best Production
• Best Original Creation
• Best Acting (combined male and female category)

Meanwhile, the theater division continues to present awards such as the Young Theater Award, Acting Award, and the Baeksang Theater Award.

Rigorous and Fair Selection Process

To maintain credibility, Baeksang conducts preliminary surveys with 30 industry experts per category before final nominations are decided. Judges then carry out an in-depth evaluation process, using these insights to ensure a balanced and professional selection of nominees and winners.

What’s Next

Fans can expect the official list of nominees, categories, and detailed criteria to be revealed on April 13 through Baeksang’s official website and social media channels.

With its expanded categories and forward-looking vision, the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards promises not just to celebrate excellence—but to redefine what it means to take the stage.