NEWSIS announced the 8th K-EXPO winners, honoring Lee Byung-hun, Junho, Shim Eun-kyung, and others for K-content and global impact.
August/20/2026 16:12
Lee Byung-hun, Junho of 2PM, and others were selected as winners of the “NEWSIS K-EXPO.” NEWSIS announced today (the 20th) the winners of the “8th NEWSIS K-EXPO.” The event will be held on the 28th at 3 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom of The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Jung-gu, Seoul. First, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Award will go to Lee Byung-hun. Lee Byung-hun was recognized for his contribution to increasing the influence of K-content not only in Korea but also on the global stage through numerous films and dramas. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award was given to Junho of 2PM. He showed his presence in tvN’s “Typhoon Family,” which exceeded a 10% viewership rating, and proved his solid acting ability and star quality both in Korea and overseas. The Seoul Mayor’s Award will be presented to Shim Eun-kyung and Monk Songjae. Shim Eun-kyung became the first Korean actress to win the Best Actress award at the Japan Academy Awards and the Best Actress award at the Kinema Junpo Best Ten. Monk Songjae contributed to the globalization of temple cuisine by appearing last year on Netflix’s “Black and White Spoon: Culinary Class War 2” and spreading the appeal of Korean temple cuisine to the world. The Chairperson of the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Award was selected for actor Choi Hyun-wook and comedian Lee Su-ji. Choi Hyun-wook was active this year in the Netflix original series “Voice from the Back Row,” and Lee Su-ji is demonstrating the competitiveness of Korean-style comedy while working across a wide range of fields including television programs, OTT (video streaming services), and YouTube. The Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairperson’s Award will be given to AND2BLE and KISS OF LIFE. AND2BLE’s first mini album “Sequence 01: Curiosity” entered the top 10 of the iTunes Top Albums charts in 23 regions worldwide. KISS OF LIFE recorded 6th place on the U.S. Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart with “Who is she.” The Korea Creative Content Agency President’s Award was selected for 1MILLION, a performance crew with 26.4 million YouTube channel subscribers. Also, the Seoul Tourism Organization CEO’s Award will be given to Block B’s P.O and QWER. The Hallyu Special Award, given to next-generation stars expected to lead Hallyu in the future, was selected for EVNNE and USPEER. Separately, the winners of the newly established Global Netizen Award, introduced last year, were also announced earlier. The Global Fan Choice Award will go to PLAVE, and the Global Next Icon Award will go to AND2BLE. Also, AND2BLE’s Zhang Hao won the Global OST Popularity Award, and Kim Yong-bin was selected for the Global Trot Sound Source Award. “K-EXPO” was launched in 2019 with the aim of the sustainable development of Hallyu and improving the competitiveness of the cultural industry. It is hosted by the private news agency NEWSIS and sponsored by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the Korea Creative Content Agency, and the Seoul Tourism Organization. ・[PHOTO] Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-jung, IVE’s Wonyoung, and others attend a Bulgari event ・2PM’s Junho becomes a dragon that lives for over 1,000 years!? He shows a mysterious romance with Hong Hwa-yeon in the new drama “Embassy of Foreign Countries in Korea” ・AND2BLE, first K-pop group ever! 3,000 people were thrilled by a surprise free live performance in Kabukicho, performing three songs
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