The annual Korean Baeksang Awards (also known as the Paeksang Arts Awards) are the most popular and prestigious awards for film and television in South Korea. Similar to the Academy Awards, the Baeksang Awards have categories to present the best films, directors, actors and actresses, screenplays, etc. In addition to awarding films, awards also go the best television dramas of the year.
There is also a Grand Prize in both the film and television category that is given as the most prestigious honor at the ceremony and is awarded to either an individual or a specific project.
Established originally in 1965, the Baeksang Awards’ purpose is to highlight and celebrate the ever-growing development of talent within the Korean entertainment industry. 2020 was a big year for Korean films as Parasite made history as the first Korean film to be honored with four Academy Awards including Best Picture, and it was no surprise that the Baeksang Awards also recognized both Bong Joon Ho and Parasite with their own awards.
Not all the best Korean films and dramas are available to watch outside of Korea but here is a list of the Baeksang winners of the past four years and links to how you can enjoy them from home:
2021
2021 Daesang (대상) Grand Prize in Film Winner:
Yoo Jae-suk (variety performer) for Beyond Evil
Where to Stream: Free on Viki
Starring: Shin Ha-kyun, Yeo Jin-gu, Sung-eun Choi
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Summary: The story of two fearless men who are willing to go through extreme lengths in their pursuit of a returning serial killer. To uncover the murderer’s identity, the two are forced to look deeper than what the evidence seems to suggest.
2021 Best Film
Samjin Company English Class
Director: Jong-pil Lee
Starring: Ko Asung, Hyeon-jin Baek, Hyun-Chul Cho
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Summary: In mid ’90s, 3 female high school-grad office workers take up English classes together to get promotions and they team up to uncover corruption within their company.
2021 Best TV Drama Series
Beyond Evil
Where to Stream: Free on Viki
Starring: Shin Ha-kyun, Yeo Jin-gu, Sung-eun Choi
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Summary: The story of two fearless men who are willing to go through extreme lengths in their pursuit of a returning serial killer. To uncover the murderer’s identity, the two are forced to look deeper than what the evidence seems to suggest.
2020
2020 Daesang (대상) Grand Prize in Film Winner:
Bong Joon-ho (Director) for Parasite
Where to Stream: free with Hulu subscription, Rent for 3.99 on Amazon Prime
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Summary: Greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.
Read more on Parasite here.
2020 Best Film
Parasite
Where to Stream: Free with Hulu subscription, Rent for 3.99 on Amazon Prime
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Summary: Greed and class discrimination threaten the newly formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.
Watch trailer:
2020 Daesang (대상) Grand Prize for TV Drama Winner
When the Camellia Blooms
Where to Stream: Free with Netflix subscription
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Thriller
Watch When the Camellia Blooms trailer:
2020 Best TV Drama Series
Stove League
Where to Stream: Free with Viki subscription
Genre: Drama, Sport
Summary: The story of two managers whose goal is to move their baseball team from the bottom of the league to the top.
Watch Stove League trailer here:
2019
2019 Daesang (대상) Grand Prize in Film Winner
Jung Woo-Sung (Actor) for Innocent Witness
Where to Stream: Unavailable to stream
Genre: Crime, Drama
Summary: A man either committed suicide or he was murdered. An autistic girl is the only witness.
Watch Innocent Witness trailer:
2019 Best Film
The Spy Gone North
Where to Stream: Youtube $3.99, Amazon Prime 3.99
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Summary: A South Korean army major poses as a businessman to infiltrate a North Korean nuclear facility in 1993.
Watch The Spy Gone North trailer:
2019 Best TV Drama Series
My Mister
Where to Stream: Free with Viki subscription
Genre: Drama, Family
Summary: A man in his 40’s withstands the weight of life. A woman in her 20’s goes through different experiences, but also withstands the weight of her life. The man and woman get together to help each other.
Watch My Mister trailer:
2018
2018 Daesang (대상) Grand Prize Winner
1987: When the Day Comes
Where to Stream: Youtube $3.99, Amazon Prime 3.99
Genre: Drama
Summary: In 1987 Korea under an oppressive military regime, the unlawful interrogation and death of a college student ignite ordinary citizens to fight for the truth and bring about justice.
Watch 1987: When the Day Comes trailer:
2018 Best Film
The Fortress
Where to Stream: Youtube $3.99, Amazon Prime 3.99
Genre: Action, Drama, History
Summary: In 1636, King Injo and his retainers seek refuge in a fortress as Qing dynasty forces from China invade Korea. The situation grows desperate as the king’s advisers debate what course to take, while his people suffer and die in the fortress.
Watch The Fortress Trailer:
2018 Best TV Drama Series
Mother
Where to Stream: Free with Viki subscription
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Summary: A temporary teacher at an elementary school realizes that one of her students is being abused at home by her family. She makes an impulsive decision to kidnap the child and attempts to become her mother.
