At the 40th Golden Disc Awards, Stray Kids, G-DRAGON, and Jennie took home major awards, showcasing K-POP's global impact.
January/11/2026 11:43Related Groups & Members
Stray Kids, BLACKPINK's Jennie, and BIGBANG's G-DRAGON won the grand prize at the 40th Golden Disc Awards. On the 10th, at the Taipei Dome, the prestigious grand prize for the album category was awarded to Stray Kids, and the digital music category to G-DRAGON. The newly established Artist of the Year award was given to Jennie. Stray Kids, who won the Rookie Award at the 33rd Golden Disc Awards, achieved their first grand prize at the Golden Disc after 7 years, proving their fame as 'world-class idols.' Stray Kids, who achieved triple million sales with their 4th full album 'KARMA,' also won the main award in the album category, achieving two crowns. G-DRAGON, the 'K-POP Emperor,' who caused a syndrome with his 3rd full album 'Übermensch' released after 11 years and 5 months, won the digital music award with 'HOME SWEET HOME (feat. TAEYANG & DAESUNG)' and also took home the main awards for digital music and album, achieving three crowns. Although he won the main award for the song 'CRAYON' at the 27th Golden Disc Awards in 2013, this is his first time receiving the grand prize as a solo artist. The first recipient of the newly established Artist of the Year award, reflecting the global influence of K-POP artists, was Jennie. Jennie, who achieved great success globally with her solo album 'Ruby' and title track 'like JENNIE,' became the first winner of the Artist of the Year award, newly established after 19 years. Additionally, her hit 'JUMP' released as BLACKPINK contributed to her winning two trophies in the digital music main award, both as a solo artist and as part of a group. Furthermore, she also received the Global Impact Award with PRISM. The main award in the album category was awarded to 10 groups: RIIZE, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, IVE, ATEEZ, NCT WISH, ENHYPEN, ZEROBASEONE, G-DRAGON, TOMORROW X TOGETHER (in alphabetical order), while the main award in the digital music category was awarded to 10 groups: Rosé, LE SSERAFIM, BOYNEXTDOOR, BLACKPINK, IVE, aespa, ALLDAY PROJECT, Jennie, ZO ZAZZ, G-DRAGON. Next-generation K-POP groups also received Golden Disc trophies. The special Rookie Award, which can only be received once in a lifetime, was awarded to ALLDAY PROJECT and CORTIS. The Next Generation Award, which anticipates future success, was given to KiiiKiii. The Best Performance Award, given to outstanding performers, was awarded to TWS and izna, while the Golden Choice was awarded to ARrC and CLOSE YOUR EYES, recognizing their potential. MONSTA X, who made a strong impression by performing as a complete group after a long time, won the Best Group Award. Additionally, the NAVER AI Choice was awarded to BOYNEXTDOOR, and the Cosmopolitan Artist Award was given to IVE. IVE achieved an incredible record by winning the digital music main award and album main award for three consecutive years. The Golden Disc UPBIT Popularity Award, decided by 100% voting, was awarded to Jin of BTS and Hearts2Hearts. The 40th Golden Disc Awards showcased a stage that will be etched in K-POP history, with the keyword 'Eternal Glory of Music that Lasts Across Generations.' In particular, the special stage 'Golden Disc Powerhouse 40,' announced as part of the 40th anniversary project, was planned in line with this theme, demonstrating the power of music that transcends generations. TWS and izna reinterpreted BTS's 'Spring Day' and Wonder Girls' 'Be My Baby' in their own colors. ZEROBASEONE's Kim Taere reinterpreted Shin Seung-hun's classic 'You Reflected in My Smile,' while LE SSERAFIM's Ho Yunjin sang Kim Hyun-sik's 'Like Rain, Like Music' with deep sensitivity. ATEEZ's JONGHO expressed Kim Kwang-seok's 'Those Days' with a rich vocal performance, and KiiiKiii delivered Lee Moon-sae's 'Flying Through the Deep Night' with a sweet voice. Furthermore, CLOSE YOUR EYES and ARrC covered BIGBANG's 'LIES' and 1TYM's 'HOT,' creating a stage that connects generations. There were many highlights, and the response indicated that there were many stages enjoyable for all generations. The 40th Golden Disc Awards, reborn after 14 years, attracted even more attention from fans and music industry professionals worldwide with a rebranded emblem and an upgraded trophy that added a new sensation to the disc shape.
Related Articles
This winter's airport fashion emphasizes shoes as key elements, showcasing a variety of styles from running shoes to sheepskin boots. Stars like IVE's Wonyoung and BLACKPINK's Rosé highlight their outfits with trendy footwear, blending comfort and style for a chic winter look.
Tommy Hilfiger has launched its 2026 LNY capsule collection featuring BLACKPINK's Jisoo as the global ambassador. The collection modernizes the brand's timeless preppy style with vibrant red colors and reinterpreted classic items, emphasizing family values and new beginnings. Jisoo showcases a stylish blend of a wool-blend leather jacket and a patterned dress, capturing the lively spirit of the LNY season.
On the afternoon of the 9th, BLACKPINK's Jennie departed for Taiwan via Incheon International Airport for the 40th Golden Disc Awards. She revealed her bold short hair and shared her thoughts on turning 30, stating that she lived her 20s with passion and love. Additionally, J-POP songs are ranking in the MelOn annual chart, with the top 100 songs of 2025 being revealed.
MelOn has released the '2025 Korea & Overseas Annual Chart' TOP 100, with WOODZ's 'Drowning' taking the top spot. G-DRAGON's 'HOME SWEET HOME' and BLACKPINK's 'JUMP' also rank highly, showcasing the strength of male solo artists and the rising popularity of new generation groups. The chart reflects a diverse array of successful artists and songs.
Stray Kids will perform at the charity concert 'Le Gala Des Pièces Jaunes' in Paris on January 22, marking their second appearance. The event, hosted by the French hospital foundation, aims to support hospitalized children. They join global stars like G-DRAGON and Christina Aguilera, further solidifying their impact in France and the global music scene.
Stray Kids is set to headline the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York from June 5-7, proving their global impact. They join a lineup featuring major artists and have also confirmed headlining spots at other festivals, including Rock in Rio. Their album success continues with multiple top chart placements.
BLACKPINK's Jennie candidly discusses her thoughts on turning 30, showcasing a bold new short hairstyle in a recent photoshoot. She reflects on her career, expresses excitement for new opportunities, and shares her feelings about balancing solo and group activities. Jennie also announces her first photo exhibition and upcoming performances in Tokyo and Seoul.
Kim Mi-soo, a talented actress known for her role in the JTBC drama 'Snowdrop', passed away unexpectedly at the age of 31 on January 5, 2022. Her agency announced the news, expressing the family's grief. Her death was widely reported, including by international outlets like CNN and the New York Post. Kim debuted in 2014 and gained fame through various dramas and films.
The first critical book on Stray Kids, titled 'STRAYKIDS: Their Story That Never Ends,' will be released in Japan on February 16, 2026. It offers an in-depth analysis of their music, performances, and unique world, featuring insights from industry experts and behind-the-scenes stories. Pre-orders are currently available.
Model SHIHO shared a birthday photo with BLACKPINK's Jisoo on Instagram, highlighting their stylish outfits and a cheerful encounter at a hair salon. SHIHO wore a white knit while Jisoo sported a shirt and jeans. SHIHO also mentioned their chance meeting, and Jisoo responded with a heart emoji. SHIHO is married to Akiyama Seung-hun and has a daughter, Sarang.
