The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards popularity vote has sparked a massive controversy, with fans demanding the disqualification of Hyeri, IU, and Kim Hye Yoon due to alleged voting irregularities. The uproar centers on claims that the trio’s fanbases used automated voting tools, leading to heated debates across social media platforms.
The Baeksang Arts Awards, one of South Korea’s most prestigious entertainment honors, opened voting for the PRIZM Popularity Award on April 23, 2025. This fan-driven award selects one male and one female actor from 70 nominees—35 men and 35 women—across TV and film categories. Voting runs until May 2, with winners to be announced at the ceremony on May 5 at Seoul’s COEX D Hall.
Among the female nominees, Hyeri led with approximately 738,000 votes, followed by IU with 533,000 votes and Kim Hye Yoon with 496,000 votes, as reported on April 24. On the male side, Byeon Woo Seok topped the list with 226,000 votes, followed by Park Bo Gum with 84,000 votes. However, the high vote counts for Hyeri, IU, and Kim Hye Yoon raised suspicions among fans, who pointed to unusually rapid vote increases as evidence of foul play.
Social media platforms, particularly X, buzzed with frustration. Fans claimed the voting system was compromised by “macros”—automated scripts that cast votes at high speeds. One user posted:
Judging by the vote counts, looks like all three are using macros… Baeksang needs to exclude them.
Another commented:
Wow, they’re even running macros for this… I’m voting diligently though…
A third user expressed disbelief:
Why go that far? LOL. I now know that the fandoms for Hyeri, IU, and Kim Hye Yoon are intense.
The backlash intensified as fans criticized the Baeksang Arts Awards organizers for failing to filter out allegedly fraudulent votes. One netizen remarked:
Baeksang, you idiots, count out the macros, seriously.
Another pointed to systemic issues:
It seems like all three are using macros, but the real problem is Baeksang’s inability to filter those votes out.
| theqoo
Hyeri’s Surge Tied to Bold Drama Role
Hyeri, a former member of Girl’s Day and a celebrated actress, has been a focal point of the controversy. Her lead in the female popularity vote stems from her role as Yoo Je-i in the 2025 mystery-thriller drama Friendly Rivalry. Set at the elite Chaehwa Girls’ High School, the series explores intense academic competition and hidden secrets. Hyeri’s portrayal of a complex, layered queen bee has earned widespread praise.
A standout moment in Friendly Rivalry—a same-sex kiss scene with co-star Jung Soo Bin—went viral, fueling fan support and boosting Hyeri’s votes. The scene, described as emotionally charged, deepened audience investment in her character. Fans on platforms like AsianWiki expressed admiration:
Unnie….thank you for bringing Jaeyi to life..I really enjoyed you drama (Friendly Rivalry) I can’t forget your chemistry with Subin Unnie…Rooting for more projects and success for you…Lovelots… My hyeri, thank you for portraying “jaeyii” in friedly rivalry. i’m gonna miss you uriii jaeyi-yaaa. you’re such a versatile actor and very kind person. bubbly hyeriii You will forever be remembered for your role as Jaeyi. We fans are still hoping for season 2 even if it’s impossible. You and subin worked really hard—we love you.
However, the surge in votes following the viral moment led some to question the legitimacy of her lead, with accusations of automated voting overshadowing her performance.
IU’s Popularity Boost from When Life Gives You Tangerines
IU, a singer-actress known for her versatility, has also faced scrutiny. Her role as Ae Sun and Geum Myeong in the 2025 drama When Life Gives You Tangerines has garnered significant attention. The series, a nostalgic coming-of-age story, resonated with audiences, and IU’s dual performance earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards. Her second-place position in the popularity vote, with 533,000 votes, reflects her strong fanbase.
Despite her critical acclaim, fans on X questioned the rapid accumulation of votes:
Both three people use macros. They should be disqualified from the nomination.
IU’s busy schedule, including her role in The Remarried Empress and ongoing music projects, has kept her in the spotlight. However, the controversy has shifted focus from her achievements to the integrity of the voting process.
Kim Hye Yoon’s Fanbase Under Fire
Kim Hye Yoon, celebrated for her role as Im Sol in the 2024 hit drama Lovely Runner, rounds out the trio facing disqualification demands. The time-travel romance, co-starring Byeon Woo Seok as Ryu Sun Jae, became a global sensation, earning Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok multiple awards, including the Best Couple and Popularity Awards at the 2024 APAN Star Awards and Seoul International Drama Awards. Her third-place position with 496,000 votes highlights her rising stardom.
Yet, Kim Hye Yoon’s fans have previously faced criticism for aggressive behavior. In 2024, her agency, Artist Company, was flooded with complaints about inadequate promotion for Lovely Runner. Fans demanded more appearances on variety shows and advertisements, with comments like:
Why aren’t you promoting Kim Hye Yoon? The labels of her co-stars are doing their best to capitalize on the K-Drama’s popularity, but what in the world are you guys doing…? Please work hard so that Hye Yoon can feel her popularity! The drama is almost over, but you guys haven’t done any promotions.
This history of intense fan activity has fueled suspicions that her votes may have been inflated through automated tools, prompting calls for her disqualification.
Baeksang’s Response and Voting System Scrutiny
The Baeksang Arts Awards organizers have not publicly addressed the controversy as of April 27, 2025. The PRIZM Popularity Award relies entirely on fan votes, making it vulnerable to manipulation if proper safeguards are not in place. Fans have called for stricter measures, with one X post stating:
They should just get rid of the popularity award altogether.
Another suggested:
What’s the point of a popularity award when they cheat like this?
The lack of transparency in vote verification has eroded trust, with many urging Baeksang to exclude suspicious votes or overhaul the system.
Hyeri, IU, and Kim Hye Yoon are all prominent figures in Korean entertainment. Hyeri, born Lee Hye Ri on June 9, 1994, rose to fame as the youngest member of Girl’s Day and earned the title “Nation’s Little Sister” after her 2014 appearance on Real Men. Her breakout role in Reply 1988 (2015) solidified her as a top actress, and she has since starred in dramas like My Roommate Is a Gumiho (2021) and films like Monstrum (2018).
IU, born Lee Ji Eun on May 16, 1993, is a powerhouse in music and acting. Her role in When Life Gives You Tangerines follows a string of successful dramas, including Hotel Del Luna (2019) and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016). Her ability to balance music and acting has made her one of Korea’s most searched actresses in 2024.
Kim Hye Yoon, born November 10, 1996, gained recognition through Sky Castle (2018–2019) and Extraordinary You (2019). Her performance in Lovely Runner catapulted her to global fame, earning her accolades and a loyal fanbase. She studied at Konkuk University and has balanced academics with her rising career.
As of April 27, 2025, the Baeksang Arts Awards voting continues, with no official statement from organizers regarding the disqualification demands. The controversy has sparked broader discussions about the fairness of fan-voted awards in the entertainment industry. Fans remain divided, with some defending Hyeri, IU, and Kim Hye Yoon’s popularity, while others insist on accountability for alleged voting irregularities.
