The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards recently honored the best in Korean film, television and theater. Touted as the most prestigious awards ceremony in Korea, the Baeksang Awards are the Oscars, Emmys and Tonys all rolled up into one glittery night.
The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards were hosted by Shin Dong-yup, Bae Suzy, and Park Bo-gum and sparkled especially bright with celebrities and a live audience after two years of video-only shows. “Escape from Mogadishu” took home the top prize in the film division and “Squid Game” captured top honors in the television division.
2022 Film Category of the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards
Escape from Mogadishu – Best Film Winner
Read our full review on “Escape from Mogadishu”
Director: Ryoo Seung-wan (Grand Prize winner in Film)
Starring: Kim Yoon-seok, Jo In-sung, Huh Joon-ho and Kim So-jin
Genre: Action, Drama
Summary: Dramatically based on a true story; when civil war suddenly erupts in Mogadishu, Somalia, rival North and South Korean diplomats are left trapped. With no aid from either government, their only shot at survival may require uniting with bitter adversaries to escape.
Stream Escape from Mogadishu on Amazon Prime
Kingmaker
Director: Sung-Hyun (Best Director, Film)
Starring: Sol Kyung-gu (Best Actor, Film), Lee Sun-kyun, Yoo Jae-myung, and Jo Woo-jin (Best Supporting Actor, Film)
Genre: Political Drama
Summary: A politician dreams of changing the world with an excellent campaign strategist behind him. The idealist agrees to follow the strategist’s lead but doesn’t anticipate the campaign’s twists and turns. As their conflict deepens, the ruling party secretly attempts to tilt the election.
Stream: Kingmaker: The Fox of the Election on Viki
Miracle: Letters to the President
Director: Lee Jang-hoon
Starring: Park Jeong-min, Lee Sung-min and Im Yoon-ah
Genre: Romantic Drama
Summary: In 1988, a 17-year-old teen genius named Joon-kyung (Park Jeong-min) lives in a village where there is no train station but his only means of transportation is by rail. Dreaming of making a way station for his sister and the villagers who have no choice but to commute along the dangerous train tracks every day, Joon-kyung sends numerous letters to the President, that all go unanswered. Ra-hee (Im Yoon-ah), who has a crush on the young genius, does everything she can to help him meet the President. Will Joon-kyung and Ra-hee be able to build a way station in the village and protect the villagers?
Stream Miracle: Letters to the President on Amazon Prime
Sewing Sisters
Director: Jung-young Kim
Starring: Lim Mi-Kyung, Shin Soon-ae, and Lee Suk-hee
Genre: Documentary
Summary: In the late 1960s and early 1970s, girls aged 12 to 16 began working at the Pyeonghwa Market. Running sewing machines, they also study the Labor Standards Act under the tutelage of Jeon Taeil. On September 9, 1977, they were imprisoned fighting against the government that closed labor classes, shouting, “The next Jeon Taeil will be a woman!”
Not yet available for streaming
Romance Without Love
Director: Jeong Ga-young
Starring: Jeon Jong-seo, Son Seok-gu, Gong Min-jung and Lee Soo-kyung (Best Supporting Actress, Film)
Genre: Romance
Summary: Woo-ri, and Ja-young, who both dislike being alone but have particular anxieties when it comes to dating. They overcome their hesitance and meet online.
Not yet available for streaming
2021 TV Series Category of The 58th Baeksang Arts Awards
Squid Game – Grand Prize Winner for Best Television
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk (Best Director, Television)
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, HoYeon Jung, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryoung
Genre: Survival, Thriller, Drama
Summary: 456 financially desperate contestants play children’s games to win 45.6 billion won (about 38 million USD). The catch? They must be willing to stake their lives for a shot at the life-changing prize.
Stream Squid Game on Netflix
D.P. (Deserter Pursuit) – Best Drama Winner in Television
Director: Han Jun-hee
Starring: Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan (Best New Actor, Television), Kim Sung-kyun, Son Seok-koo, and Cho Hyun-chul (Best Supporting Actor, Television)
Genre: Military, Drama
Summary: Outside of the military base and dressed casually, these soldiers may look like any other civilian. But the members of the Deserter Pursuit unit are anything but ordinary. When duty calls and lives are put on the line, it’s their mission to track down runaway soldiers and bring them back safe and sound.
Stream D.P. on Netflix
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Director: Jung Ji-hyun
Starring: Kim Tae-ri (Best Actress, Television), Nam Joo-hyuk, Bona, Choi Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-myung
Genre: Romance, Coming of age
Summary: With her plans of being a professional fencer foiled by a sudden financial crisis in the 1990s, a passionate young high-schooler wonders if it’s time to give up on her dreams. But a hardworking part-timer at the comic book shop may be the kindred soul she needs to keep her spirits up—especially when they meet again at ages 25 and 21.
Stream Twenty-Five Twenty-One on Netflix
The Red Sleeve
Director: Jung Ji-in and Song Yeon-hwa
Starring: Lee Jun-ho (Best Actor, Television), Lee Se-young and Kang Hoon
Genre: Romance, Historical Drama
Summary: Follow the imagined portrayal of a royal court romance between the King of Joseon, who believes his duty is to his country takes precedence over love, and a court lady who wants to protect the life she has chosen.
Stream The Red Sleeve on Viki
Political Fever
Director: Yoon Seong-ho
Starring: Kim Sung-Ryoung, Bae Hae-sun, Baek Hyun-jin, and Lee Hak-joo
Genre: Political Drama
Summary: Jung Eun is a former member of the national shooting team who unexpectedly finds herself appointed to be the Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism. Although the appointment was a surprise, Jun Eng’s ambitious and works hard to achieve her goals in her new role. When her husband goes missing, she is engulfed by a whole new set of obstacles to overcome.
Stream Political Fever on Viki
Click here to see the last 3 years of Baeksang Art Awards Film and TV Drama Series Award winners!
