Kim Junsu secured a historic win at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards in Seoul on 8 May. The actor, who starred as the titular character in the Korean production of the musical Beetlejuice, won the newly established Best Actor award in the musical category. The win is particularly significant as this year marks the 60th anniversary of Korean musicals, a milestone that prompted the Baeksang committee to officially introduce theater and musical performances into its main lineup.
Kim accepted the trophy at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center in Gangnam-gu, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in South Korean television and film. He won the award over a competitive field of nominees that included veteran stage actors Hong Kwang-ho and Park Eun-tae.
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Taking the microphone without a prepared speech, Kim admitted his surprise to the audience. He expressed his gratitude for the inclusion of stage actors in the annual ceremony, which was hosted by Shin Dong-yup, Bae Suzy, and Park Bo-gum.
“I used to watch the Baeksang Arts Awards on television, but thanks to the new musical category, i was able to attend,” Kim said. “I was happy to be here to enjoy the moment, but receiving an award is an honour.”
During his speech, Kim also offered a direct piece of feedback for the organizers. Unlike the film and television categories, which split acting honours by gender, the new musical category combined all performers into a single field. Kim made a candid appeal for the committee to change this structure for future editions. “My hope is that starting next year, the awards can be separated by gender,” he said, noting that both male and female stage actors deserve dedicated recognition.
New Music on the Horizon
The award win caps off a highly productive period for the performer. Alongside his theatrical commitments, Kim is preparing to return to his career as a solo musician under his stage name, XIA. His agency, Palmtree Island, recently confirmed that he will release his fifth studio album, GRAVITY, on 2 June.
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The album’s title track is an electronic house song built around a heavy bass line and synthesizer production. To support the release, Kim will embark on a regional tour, beginning with a three-day concert series titled the “2026 XIA 6th Asia Tour Concert GRAVITY in Seoul” at the KSPO Dome from 12 June to 14 June.
As Kim transitions from his award-winning run in Beetlejuice back to the arena stage, his success at the Baeksang Arts Awards confirms his standing as one of the most versatile and influential performers in the contemporary Korean entertainment industry.
🏆 제62회 백상예술대상
🏅<뮤지컬 부문 연기상> 수상자 – 비틀쥬스 役ㅣ김준수#XIA #김준수 #시아준수 #KIMJUNSU #JUNSU #ジュンス #金俊秀 #백상예술대상 #백상 #비틀쥬스 #비틀쥰스 pic.twitter.com/4ehcB8mIir
— 데스티니준 (@XIA_destinyjun) May 8, 2026
