The most iconic roles of Baeksang Awards 2025 best actor Ju Ji-hoon and best actress Kim Tae-ri

Ju Ji-hoon’s ascent to stardom began with the iconic role of Crown Prince Lee Shin in the 2006 drama Princess Hours, one of the shows that helped introduce global viewers to K-dramas for the first time. Princess Hours is set in a fictionalised modern-day Korea with a reigning monarchy. He portrayed the initially cold and aloof crown prince unexpectedly thrust into an arranged marriage with a commoner. This role catapulted Ju Ji-hoon to popularity and his portrayal of a prince gradually warming to love captured the hearts of a massive audience, establishing an early image of regal charm. Princess Hours was more than just a hit; it was a cultural phenomenon that introduced a major new talent to the K-drama landscape.

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A significant milestone in Ju Ji-hoon’s international career was his leading role as Crown Prince Lee Chang in Netflix’s first original Korean production, the historical zombie thriller Kingdom. The series, which spanned two acclaimed seasons, saw him once again in a royal role, but this time navigating a mysterious plague, a terrifying zombie outbreak and treacherous political conspiracies. 

Kingdom’s global success on the streaming platform brought Ju Ji-hoon to a wider international audience, showcasing his ability to lead a high-stakes, genre-bending narrative that masterfully blended horror, action and historical drama. His portrayal of the determined and evolving prince fighting for his people was central to the show's critical and popular acclaim. 

This role was pivotal, demonstrating his maturation into a lead capable of anchoring large-scale, internationally recognised productions and significantly contributing to the burgeoning global K-drama wave, particularly as it was associated with Netflix's early and successful ventures into Korean original content.

Kingdom is written by Kim Eun-hee, a South Korean playwright and screenwriter who is also behind other blockbusters like Signal, Jirisan and Revenant.

Ju Ji-hoon delivers a compelling performance as Yoon Hee-jae in the 2020 legal drama Hyena. Portraying an elite lawyer from a prestigious background, he is the youngest equity partner at the powerful law firm Song & Kim. His confidence and methodical nature are challenged when he encounters Jung Geum-ja (Kim Hye-soo), a cunning rival who disrupts his structured world. Ju Ji-hoon's portrayal captures Hee-jae's transformation from a proud, calculated attorney to someone grappling with unexpected challenges, blending sharp wit with emotional depth. 

Ju Ji-hoon co-starred with Kim Hye-soo, who appeared in several Korean dramas like Under the Queen’s Umbrella, Juvenile Justice and Unmasked.

Ju Ji-hoon portrays the role of a former elite naval officer haunted by a devastating terrorist attack that left the South Korean president disabled and claimed the lives of his comrades. Driven by a relentless pursuit of justice, Woo Chae-woon infiltrates BF Group—a biotech company revolutionising the food industry with lab-grown meat—by becoming the personal bodyguard to its CEO, Yoon Ja-yu (Han Hyo-joo). As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of secrets linking the company to the past tragedy. His performance masterfully balances intense action sequences with a portrayal of a man grappling with inner turmoil, showcasing his versatility and depth as an actor.

Ju Ji-hoon starred alongside Han Hyo-joo, who is popular for her roles in the globally acclaimed series, Moving, and in Happiness where she co-starred with another Korean superstar, Park Hyung-sik.

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In the 2024 romantic comedy Love Your Enemy, Ju Ji-hoon stars as Seok Ji-won, the charismatic executive director of Seokban Construction and newly appointed chairman of Dokmok High School. Returning to his hometown after 18 years, Seok Ji-won reunites with his childhood rival, Yoon Ji-won (Jung Yu-mi), reigniting a long-standing feud rooted in their families’ animosity. Ju Ji-hoon's portrayal captures the complexity of a man torn between past grievances and present responsibilities, blending his character's authoritative presence with moments of vulnerability and humour. His performance adds depth to the enemies-to-lovers narrative, showcasing his versatility in romantic comedy roles. 

In this mystery-horror series, Ju Ji-hoon portrays the enigmatic proprietor of a perpetually illuminated lighting store nestled in a shadowy alley. This unique shop draws in a diverse array of visitors—some alive, others not—each grappling with unresolved traumas. Jung Won-young serves as a silent guide, aiding these individuals in confronting their pasts and seeking closure. Ju Ji-hoon’s restrained yet compelling performance imbues the character with a profound sense of mystery and empathy, anchoring the series’ exploration of life, death, and redemption. His portrayal has been lauded for its depth and subtlety, contributing significantly to the show’s acclaim. 

Kim Tae-ri’s recent Baeksang Best Actress award was for her portrayal of Yoon Jeong-nyeon in the tvN drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born. The series follows the journey of a young woman in the Fifties, gifted with a natural talent for singing, who dreams of joining a yeoseong gukgeuk (traditional all-female Korean musical theatre troupe). Her performance as a genius in traditional Korean opera resonated deeply, particularly given her dedication, which included three years of voice training for the show. Beyond the individual brilliance of her acting, the role and the drama itself had a significant cultural impact, bringing a renewed attention to the female Korean opera genre.

Kim Tae-ri made an impactful television debut in the epic historical drama Mr Sunshine, where she co-starred alongside Squid Game’s Lee Byung-hun. She portrayed Go Ae-shin, a strong-willed Joseon noblewoman who secretly operates as a sniper for Korea's righteous army during a tumultuous period of foreign encroachment. The drama was a massive hit, lauded for its stunning cinematography, compelling narrative and powerful performances. Kim Tae-ri’s portrayal of the fiercely independent and patriotic Ae-shin earned her critical acclaim and the APAN Star Award for Best New Actress. This role was iconic for seamlessly transitioning her film success to the small screen and for creating one of the most memorable strong female leads in recent K-drama history, often choosing characters that resonate with themes of resistance and resilience.

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Kim Tae-ri further solidified her status as a leading actress with her role as a passionate and determined teenage fencer pursuing her dreams against the backdrop of the late Nineties IMF crisis, whose journey of ambition, friendship and love resonated deeply with a global audience. Her vibrant and heartfelt portrayal earned her widespread praise and her first Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actress in a television show. The character of Na Hee-do became an inspiring figure for many, and Kim Tae-ri's ability to convey youthful exuberance and mature emotional depth was a key factor in the drama's immense popularity and critical success.

Kim Tae-ri co-starred with Korean heartthrob Nam Joo-hyuk who became popular for his roles in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo and Start Up.

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Demonstrating her remarkable versatility, Kim Tae-ri ventured into the occult thriller genre with Revenant, playing Gu San-young, a young woman who becomes possessed by an evil spirit after receiving a mysterious relic from her deceased father. The role required her to navigate complex emotional states and portray the chilling duality of her character. Her performance was a tour de force, earning her the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the SBS Drama Awards, one of the highest acting honours in Korean television. Revenant streams on Disney+.

Starring alongside Korean drama royalty Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri commands the screen as Captain Jang, the formidable leader of the spaceship Victory. A former elite engineer for UTS, she turned rogue after uncovering the corporation's dark secrets, forming her own pirate crew. Captain Jang is a sharp, justice-driven strategist who remains unwavering in her convictions, even as the rest of the crew evolves. Kim Tae-ri's portrayal brings depth and resilience to the character, anchoring the film's emotional core amidst its high-octane sci-fi action. 

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In Netflix’s first Korean original animated film, Lost in Starlight, Kim Tae-ri lends her voice to Nan-young, an aspiring astronaut in 2050 Seoul who dreams of reaching Mars. After failing the final test for the Mars Expedition Project, Nan-young's life takes a turn when she meets Jay, a musician who has set aside his own dreams. Their chance encounter blossoms into a heartfelt romance, challenged by Nan-young's second opportunity to journey to Mars, forcing the couple to navigate a love separated by millions of kilometres. Kim Tae-ri's voice acting debut brings depth and emotion to Nan-young, capturing the character's determination and vulnerability. Her performance, alongside co-star Hong Kyung, adds a poignant layer to this sci-fi romance, set against a visually stunning backdrop of futuristic Seoul and the vastness of space. Lost in Starlight premieres globally on Netflix on May 30, 2025.

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