Baeksang Arts Awards Adds Korean Musicals Category in 2026

On November 6, 2025, HLL Central announced a landmark decision for the Korean entertainment industry: the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards will introduce a new category dedicated to K-Musicals. This significant expansion will officially launch at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards in 2026, solidifying the ceremony’s status as Korea’s most comprehensive popular culture and arts awards. The move aims to recognize the remarkable growth and artistic achievements of Korean musicals on both domestic and international stages.

A Historic Partnership for K-Musicals

To facilitate this new chapter, HLL Central recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Musical Association. This collaboration will ensure a professional and fair judging process for the new musical division. Kang Juyeon, CEO of HLL Central, stated that the decision reflects the soaring popularity of the K-Musical genre and meets the high expectations of the audience. The partnership is designed to foster the continued development of the Korean musical industry.

Echoing this sentiment, Lee Jonggyu, Chairman of the Korea Musical Association, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. He highlighted that having musicals recognized at a premier awards ceremony like Baeksang is a monumental step for the industry’s artists and creators. Both organizations will now begin preparations for the judging process and the ceremony itself.

Celebrating a 60-Year Legacy

The timing of the new category is deeply symbolic, as it will be introduced in 2026 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Korean musicals. The history of the genre traces back to 1966 with the premiere of the nation’s first original musical, “Saljjak-i Opseoye”. This milestone honors the long and rich history of theatrical performance in Korea and celebrates the evolution of the K-Musical genre.

New Award Categories Announced

The new musical division at the Baeksang Arts Awards will feature three distinct awards:

• Best Production: Recognizing the most outstanding musical of the year.
• Creative Award: Honoring the vision of creators such as writers, composers, and designers.
• Best Actor/Actress: A notable gender-integrated award celebrating the top performance by a lead actor or actress.

What This Means for the Baeksang Arts Awards

The inclusion of Korean musicals enhances the Baeksang Arts Awards’ reputation as the only awards ceremony in Korea that covers the full spectrum of popular culture, from film and television to theater. This move not only celebrates the past but also invests in the future of K-Musicals, which have recently gained global acclaim. For instance, the Korean production “Perhaps Happy Ending” won an award at the prestigious Tony Awards earlier in 2025, signaling the genre’s international competitiveness. The addition of this category is expected to bring even more attention to the vibrant world of Korean musicals.

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