[2025 Year-End Review] Cineplay Arts Awards Best Female Rookie Award 4 Nominees

The year 2025 is coming to a close. Just as previews for year-end settlements often come up, the end of the year requires a time to reflect and summarize the year. Therefore, Cineplay also aims to look back on the year and select impressive works in various fields. We have selected special awards across categories including film, scripted, unscripted, actors, and rookie actors. This post features one selected female rookie actor from each reporter for the Korean female rookie actor category. Although it is called a rookie award, the category of 'rookie actors' has somewhat broadened recently, so it is explained in advance that the selection includes true rookies as well as actors who have gained attention with leading roles. The works were chosen from among the cast of films and dramas officially released in Korea until December 10, 2025. We applaud all the actors who have shown new sides this year and introduce the four selected by Cineplay reporters.

Chua Young - 〈The Master of the World〉 Seo Soo-bin

Seo Soo-bin's performance in 〈The Master of the World〉 garnered praise for "astonishing acting" right from her debut. Her delicate emotional acting successfully conveyed the emotional line of a character who, while bright and cheerful, hides wounds behind a radiant smile.

Kim Ji-yeon - 〈The Mare〉 Bang Hyo-rin

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Like the new rookie actor 'Joo-ae' who became the new 'Mare', a fresh, new, and bold actor has emerged. It’s like the sensational feeling when director Kwak In-woo (Jo Hyun-cheol) first met Joo-ae in the film. Just like Joo-ae, who threw off her outerwear and tap danced on the spot to show "what she can do beyond what she practiced", Bang Hyo-rin in 〈The Mare〉 was filled with (in a good way) strange, unique, and raw energy. Her performance in the film 〈Hell Forever〉 was also impressive, and seeing her as a lead in such a large-scale work makes me want to give her my own rookie award again.

Joo Sung-cheol - 〈The Master of the World〉 Seo Soo-bin

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Seo Soo-bin does not lose her way between the voices heard and unheard in 〈The Master of the World〉. She does not lose her way even between an ordinary student in the classroom and a special relationship. Walking boldly towards the direction that 〈The Master of the World〉 aims for, she strides confidently like the character on the poster (Seo Soo-bin). It was the most vigorous and reliable step of 2025.

Seong Chan-eol - 〈Zombie Daughter〉 Choi Yu-ri

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Although she is a veteran with quite a bit of experience, since 〈Zombie Daughter〉 is her first leading role, I am including her for the rookie award. 〈Zombie Daughter〉 has many strong actors, and among them, Jo Jung-seok's role is overwhelming, making it easy for the film to be credited to him. Nevertheless, from the perspective of someone who has watched the original work, I believe the greatest achievement of this film is the presence of Choi Yu-ri as Sua, who silently fulfills her role in every scene without any lines. She excels in everything from comedy to emotional narratives. The lovely charm that makes one fully understand Jung-hwan's heart, who is trying to protect his daughter, is fundamental, and especially the chemistry with Lee Jung-eun, who plays the grandmother Bamsun in the comedic scenes, is truly overwhelming.