When Life Gives You Tangerines dominates big time 61st Baeksang Arts Awards
Hold on to your tangerines, fellow fans, because “When Life Gives You Tangerines” didn’t just show up at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards; it devoured the fruit bowl and walked away with a whole harvest of trophies! Netflix’s slice-of-life charmer proved it’s not just another mellow K-drama; it came for the crown and left with four shiny receipts.
Yes, IU and Park Bo-gum may not have bagged acting plums (what a pity!) — but who needs individual awards when your drama just got Best Drama, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay? That’s not a win — that’s a wipeout.
Director Kim Won-seok took to the stage with wisdom that hits harder than a final episode cliffhanger. “In this age of hate, I hope we can live well together without hating each other,” he said, thanking writer Lim Sang-chun and the drama’s tireless cast and crew. Honestly, if that speech were a drama, it would’ve gotten five stars and a tissue warning.
Yeom Hye-ran, our forever tita of emotional depth, snatched the Best Supporting Actress award with grace and gravitas. Fighting off stiff competition, she sweetly dedicated her win to “our young ones,” her daughter, her mom, and yes, even us viewers who cried every time she breathed onscreen. Iconic behavior.
Choi Dae-hoon, meanwhile, served us a full-hearted buffet during his Best Supporting Actor speech. Teary-eyed, sincere, and emotional like a K-drama second male lead finally getting the girl (figuratively), he called it the best gift he’s ever received on Children’s Day. Aww, right? And let’s not forget his closing pep talk: “Whenever you are struggling and exhausted, shout ‘Hak-ssi!’ and you’ll feel better.” Goosebumps, mga sis!
And the unsung hero of it all? Lim Sang-chun, who penned the entire emotional ride and earned the Best Screenplay nod. Honestly, she deserves a medal just for making us cry into our midnight ramyeon.
Despite big names like IU and Bo-gum going home empty-handed (ay, sa susunod na lang), “When Life Gives You Tangerines” walked away as the people’s champion, proving you don’t need a lead role to lead the conversation. This drama served warmth, realness, and emotional catharsis… with a side of fruit.
Full list of wins for “When Life Gives You Tangerines”:
- 🏆 Best Drama
- 🏆 Best Supporting Actor – Choi Dae-hoon
- 🏆 Best Supporting Actress – Yeom Hye-ran
- 🏆 Best Screenplay – Lim Sang-chun
So what’s next for the “When Life Gives You Tangerines” squad? Hopefully more awards, more tissues, and maybe, just maybe—a Season 2 (Netflix, please hear us out). But for now, let’s all bask in the bittersweet glow of a well-deserved victory.
Because when life gives you tangerines… you win Baeksangs!
Image: Netflix Korea
