There was little surprise as last year’s biggest South Korean films dominated the nomination list of the 53rd Baeksang Arts Awards.

The Wailing (곡성), Age of Shadows (밀정) and The Handmaiden (아가씨) led the way with six nominations each, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Last year’s highest-grossing local film, Train to Busan (부산행), had four nominations, missing out on recognition for its lead actor, Gong Yoo. Gong is instead nominated on the TV side for cable drama Goblin: The Great and Lonely God.

With Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho pushed to the Best New Director category, Hong Sang-soo managed to earn a nomination for On the Beach at Night Alone (밤의 해변에서 혼자). Its star, Kim Min-hee, is nominated for Best Actress for The Handmaiden instead of the role that earned her the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Bullying drama The World of Us (우리들) was the most recognized indie film with three nominations – Best New Director, Best Screenplay and Best New Actress. Lesbian drama Our Love Story (연애담) also picked up two nominations. Three of the five Best New Director nominees – including Yoon Ga-eun for The World of Us and Lee Hyun-ju for Our Love Story – are female filmmakers.

Organized by IS PLUS Corp, the publisher of local newspaper Ilgan Sports, the award ceremony will be held on May 3rd in Seoul.

Best Film

The Wailing
Age of Shadows
Train to Busan
The Handmaiden
Asura: City of Madness (아수라)

Best Director

Kim Sung-soo (Asura)
Kim Jee-woon (Age of Shadows)
Na Hong-jin (The Wailing)
Park Chan-wook (The Handmaiden)
Hong Sang-soo (On the Beach at Night Alone)

Best New Director

Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan)
Yoon Ga-eun (The World of Us)
Lee Yo-sub (The Queen of Crime) (범죄의 여왕)
Lee Joo-young (Single Rider) (싱글라이더)
Lee Hyun-ju (Our Love Story)

Best Screenplay

Kim Sung-soo (Asura)
Na Hong-jin (The Wailing)
Lee Ji-min, Park Jong-dae (The Age of Shadows)
Park Chan-wook, Jung Seo-Kyung (The Handmaiden)
Yoon Ga-eun (The World of Us)

Best Actor

Kwak Do-won (The Wailing)
Song Kang-ho (The Age of Shadows)
Yoo Hae-jin (Luck-key) (럭키)
Lee Byung-hun (Master) (마스터)
Ha Jung-woo (Tunnel) (터널)

Best Actress

Kim Min-hee (The Handmaiden)
Kim Hye-soo (Familyhood) (굿바이 싱글)
Son Ye-jin (The Last Princess) (덕혜옹주)
Youn Yuh-jung (The Bacchus Lady) (죽여주는 여자)
Han Ye-ri (Worst Woman) (최악의 하루)

Best New Actor

Do Kyung-soo (My Annoying Brother) (형)
Ryoo Joon-yeol (The King) (더킹)
Woo Do-hwan (Master)
Ji Chang-wook (Fabricated City) (조작된 도시)
Han Jae-young (New Trial) (재심)

Best New Actress

Kim Tae-ri (The Handmaiden)
Kim Hwan-hee (The Wailing)
Yoona (Confidential Assignment) (공조)
Lee Sang-hee (Our Love Story)
Choi Soo-in (The World of Us)

Best Supporting Actor

Kim Eui-sang (Train to Busan)
Don Lee (Train to Busan)
Bae Sung-woo (The King)
Um Tae-goo (The Age of Shadows)
Cho Jin-woong (The Handmaiden)

Best Supporting Actress

Kim So-jin (The King)
Ra Mi-ran (The Last Princess)
Bae Doo-na (Tunnel)
Chun Woo-hee (The Wailing)
Han Ji-min (The Age of Shadows)