Baeksang Arts Awards to Introduce Musical Category Next Year, Elevating K-Musical's Status

The prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards is set to expand its scope, announcing the establishment of a new musical category starting from the 62nd ceremony.

Organized and hosted by HLL JoongAng, the addition aims to celebrate the K-musical scene, following its existing recognition of television, film, and theater.

This significant move coincides with the 60th anniversary of Korean musicals. Since the premiere of the first original musical, 'Salljjakki Opsuye,' in 1966, the genre has seen remarkable growth with acclaimed productions like 'The Last Empress' and 'Frankenstein.'

Notably, the 2016 original musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' achieved international recognition by winning six awards at the Tony Awards on Broadway in 2025, marking a historic milestone for Korean original musicals.

The new musical division will feature three awards: Best Production, Best Creator, and Best Acting Award (for both male and female performers). The Best Production award will honor the year's most outstanding stage work, while the Best Creator award will recognize excellence in writing, composing, directing, and other creative roles. The Best Acting Award will be presented to actors who deliver exceptional performances.

Kang Ju-yeon, CEO of HLL JoongAng, stated, "The K-musical fandom is expanding beyond Korea, and we aim to broaden the horizons of popular culture and arts in line with evolving content trends." Lee Jong-gyu, Chairman of the Korea Musical Association, added, "This is the realization of a long-held wish for the industry, especially in the 60th anniversary year of musicals. We look forward to reaching a wider audience with Baeksang, as Korean original musicals gain global recognition."

Both organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and are preparing for the judging and award ceremony for the musical category at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards.

Netizens expressed excitement, with comments like "Finally, musicals will get their spotlight at Baeksang too!" and "This will make K-musical pride even stronger!" Many are also curious about who will take home the top awards.