Heeseung from ENHYPEN and Karina from aespa win top honors at the 2nd D Awards, determined by fan votes from February 6-23.
January/31/2026 21:00
The voting for the '2nd D Awards' popularity award, where the winners are decided by 100% fan votes, has ended. The protagonists of 'upick Global Choice' are Heeseung from ENHYPEN and Karina from aespa. This voting was conducted from the 6th to the 23rd, with members of groups that advanced to the finals for Best Group and Best Rising Star as candidates, and during this period, there was fierce competition with rankings changing multiple times. In the male category of 'upick Global Choice', Heeseung faced off against his group member Niki in an 'internal battle'. As a result, Heeseung won first place with an overwhelming vote count of approximately 1.449 billion votes. Niki recorded about 1.249 billion votes. The female category of 'upick Global Choice' also saw a close contest with changing rankings until the end, but ultimately Karina from aespa was decided as the winner. Karina garnered about 182 million votes, narrowly surpassing BLACKPINK's Jennie, who received approximately 177 million votes. In addition to Heeseung winning the upick popularity award, ENHYPEN achieved a double crown by also winning Best Group, proving their overwhelming popularity. The 'D Awards with upick' popularity awards announced winners (groups) across six categories: Best Solo Popularity Award (male and female), Best Rising Star (male and female), and Best Group (male and female). The Best Solo Popularity Award for females went to BLACKPINK's Jennie, while the male award went to Choi Ribb from Mnet's 'BOYS II PLANET'. The Best Rising Star awards went to AHOF and izna, and the Best Group Popularity Awards were given to ENHYPEN and BABYMONSTER respectively. The 2nd D Awards, hosted by Sports Dong-A, will be held on February 11 at 6 PM at Korea University in Seongbuk District, and will be broadcast live on Channel A Plus, with a replay on Channel A at 11:40 PM the same day.
Related Articles
On the afternoon of the 27th, aespa's WINTER returned to Korea via Gimpo International Airport after completing the '2026 aespa LIVE TOUR – SYNK: aeXIS LINE – in JAPAN [SPECIAL EDITION DOME TOUR]'. The group attracted 94,000 fans during their two-day concert at Tokyo Dome on April 25 and 26. They will also release their 2nd full album 'LEMONADE' on May 29.
KARINA from aespa has been appointed as the new ambassador for the luxury golf brand MARK & LONA. At the announcement event, she expressed her surprise and happiness, shared her experiences during the CM shoot, and showcased her fluency in Japanese. The brand, known for its innovative style in golf apparel, has gained significant recognition since its inception in 2008.
NINGNING from aespa dazzled fans with her goddess-like appearance at Tokyo Dome, posting bold photos on Instagram after the concert. Her daring outfit, featuring a unique crop top and leopard mini skirt, highlighted her urban style and elegance. The photos gained attention following aespa's successful concert, which attracted 94,000 attendees, proving their strong popularity in Japan.
MARK & LONA has appointed KARINA as their first female brand ambassador. The new visuals and commercial titled 'PLAY ILLUSION' will be released on April 27, 2026. The campaign showcases KARINA's presence and styling in various settings, emphasizing the brand's innovative approach to luxury golf apparel.
aespa's recent Tokyo Dome concert marked their third performance at the venue, attracting 170,000 fans. The show highlighted their unique performances and musical diversity, featuring new unit stages and fan-favorite hits. They also announced a fan meeting and their upcoming album 'LEMONADE' set for release on May 29.
On the afternoon of the 26th, BLACKPINK's Jisoo returned to Korea via Incheon International Airport after completing her overseas schedule. She recently won the Rising Star Award at the Cannes International Series Festival and had previously departed for France for her overseas commitments.
ENHYPEN's Niki captured fans' hearts with a cover of keshi's hit 'LIMBO', showcasing his deep voice and artistic direction. The video reflects his emotions from last year's Coachella, filmed in a cinematic style. ENHYPEN will embark on their world tour starting May 1, covering 31 shows across 21 cities.
KCON LA 2026 will take place from August 14-16, featuring stars like Park Eun-bin, Lee Jun-young, and Evan. The event will include performances from multiple artists, showcasing the vibrant K-culture and expanding its global reach. CJ ENM aims to provide diverse experiences and highlight the latest trends in Korean culture and lifestyle.
Shin Hyun-ji, a top model known for winning 'Challenge! Supermodel Korea 4' in 2013, is set to marry a civilian man on the 26th in a small, private ceremony in Seoul. The wedding preparations have been kept secret to respect her partner's privacy. She has also been active in television and is a close friend of BLACKPINK's Jennie.
Kim Jiyoon, the older sister of BLACKPINK's Jisoo, is set to appear on tvN's fashion survival show 'Kill It: Star Creator War,' which premieres on May 12. Known for her beauty and as a former flight attendant, she has gained popularity as an influencer with 550,000 followers. Recently, her brother was arrested for sexual harassment, prompting Jisoo's legal representative to clarify that she has no involvement in his private matters.
