Fans are buzzing as 'Queen of Tears' leading lady Kim Ji Won didn't make the cut for the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations.

The Baeksang Arts Awards dropped their nominee list for TV, film, and theater categories on April 8th. Despite the popularity of tvN's weekend drama 'Queen of Tears', Kim Ji Won, who plays the lead role, surprisingly didn't get a nomination.

The Baeksang Arts Awards judges had a tough job. They had to consider all the content aired on terrestrial, cable, OTT, and web platforms from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.

This includes Korean feature films released and plays performed during the same period. The nominees were selected after a rigorous evaluation process by a panel of industry experts.

The Best Actor category is stacked with talent, including Kim Soo Hyun from 'Queen of Tears', Namkoong Min from MBC's 'Lovers', Ryu Seung Ryong from Disney+'s 'Moving', Yoo Yeon Seok from Tving's 'Unlucky Day', and Im Si Wan from Coupang Play's 'Boys Over Flowers'.

The Best Actress nominees include Ra Mi Ran from JTBC's 'Bad Mom', Ahn Eun Jin from MBC's 'Lovers', Uhm Jung Hwa from JTBC's 'Doctor Cha Jung Suk', Lee Honey from MBC's 'Flowers Blooming at Night', and Lim Ji Yeon from GenieTV's 'House with a Yard'.

Netizens have mixed feelings about the nominations. While they're happy for Kim Soo Hyun, the male lead of 'Queen of Tears', they're disappointed that Kim Ji Won didn't get a nod.

'Queen of Tears' is making waves with a record high viewership of 19%, and it's close to breaking the 20% mark (based on Nielsen Korea's paid households). Kim Ji Won has been in the spotlight, ranking first for two consecutive weeks in the TV-OTT drama actor buzz section by Good Data Corporation, a professional institution for K-content competitiveness research. She's been neck and neck with Kim Soo Hyun, taking turns at the top spot.

Fans are voicing their thoughts like, "Kim Ji Won's acting was top-notch, it's a shame", "The Best Actress category is really competitive this year", "Can't believe we won't see Kim Ji Won at Baeksang", "Hope Kim Soo Hyun wins and gives a shoutout to Kim Ji Won", and "Even Kim Tae Ri didn't make it".

Meanwhile, 'Queen of Tears' continues to captivate viewers with its gripping story about a third-year couple, Hong Hae In (played by Kim Ji Won), a department store queen and third-generation chaebol of the Queens Group, and Baek Hyun Woo (played by Kim Soo Hyun), a supermarket prince and son of a market boss, as they navigate a major crisis and rekindle their love.

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Kim Jae Joong made fans laugh and smile with a surprising story about his childhood and his very first kiss!

On the April 29 episode of SBS's Dolsing Fourmen, Kim Jae Joong appeared as a guest alongside Gwedo and Ham Soo Hyun. He opened up about his big family and shared some heartwarming—and hilarious—memories.

“I’m the youngest of nine siblings,” he said. “I have eight older sisters.” The hosts were shocked when he added, “One of my nieces is pregnant, so I’m about to become a grandfather!” His playful comment made everyone burst into laughter.

When asked if having so many sisters made dating or marriage harder, Jae Joong said, “I won’t introduce my family until right before the wedding. I think it’s too risky. Even my sisters and other relatives will meet her for the first time at the wedding.” His honesty and humor had everyone cracking up.

Kim Jun Ho then asked, “Is it true that your sisters even managed your kisses?” Jae Joong shared a cute memory from elementary school. “I had a bold friend who walked with me to my house. We kissed in front of my gate, and I thought, ‘So this is what a kiss feels like.’ But later, I found out my sister had approved it. She had told me, ‘You can do it.’ My sisters were watching everything.”

Tak Jae Hoon joked, “That sounds like how someone would stop you from petting a puppy.” Jae Joong laughed and added, “Even if I fall in love, I don’t want that person getting too close to my sisters too fast. I don’t want it to feel like she’s already part of the family before we’re ready.”

Gwedo added, “Honestly, that kind of thinking might be good for your future wife.”

When asked if becoming a top idol changed things in the family, Kim Jae Joong said, “I used to feel like the leader, even though I was the youngest. But when I got older, I realized I can’t take care of everything with money alone. My sisters give their time and effort, and together, it means more.”

He also said that his sisters don’t really talk about money issues. “They’re so quiet about it, it’s frustrating,” he joked. “I wish they’d say more so I could at least hear the rumors! But they just quietly notice when one of them is struggling. I just want to be remembered as a thankful little brother.”

Fans were touched by how much Kim Jae Joong loves his family—and how even his first kiss had to go through a “sister approval system”.

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