BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, BLACKPINK’s Rose Win Big At 2025 Korean Popular Culture And Arts Awards

Congratulations are in order for all South Korean artists who won big at the 2025 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards. The awards, presented annually by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism,

recognise individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Korean popular culture both at home and on foreign soil.

The ceremony was held on Thursday, October 23, at the Haeoreum Grand Theatre, also known as the National Theatre of Korea, in Jung-gu, Seoul. Actor Kim Min Kyu, known for his roles in Maestra: Strings of Truth, Missing Crown Prince, and Bitch x Rich, and announcer-radio DJ Park Sun Young were in charge of hosting for the night, which saw 31 artists and teams bestowed with top honours across four categories.

Kim Hae Soon Received The Highest Honour Of The Awards Ceremony

Actress Kim Hae Sook, who is known for her roles in Strong Girl Nam Soon, Who Is She, and Under the Queen’s Umbrella, received the highest honour, the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, at this year’s ceremony. She was honoured for her decades-long contributions to Korean pop culture and for her remarkable performances in both film and television.

Meanwhile, BIGBANG’s G-Dragon made history by becoming the youngest-ever recipient of the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit. He received the honour alongside voice actor Bae Han Sung and the late comedian Jeon Yoo Sung. The contribution of K-pop groups like SEVENTEEN, TWICE, and ATEEZ, alongside BLACKPINK’s Rose, was also recognised at the latest awards ceremony.

Check out the full list of winners at the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards:

Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit

Kim Hae Sook

Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit

Lee Byung Hun

Jung Dong Hwan

Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit

G-Dragon

Voice actor Bae Han Sung

Late comedian Jeon Yoo Sung

Presidential Commendation

Kim Mi Kyung

Lee Min Ho

Lee Jung Eun

TVXQ

SEVENTEEN

BLACKPINK’s Rose

Voice actor Kim Eun Young

Prime Minister’s Commendation

Kim Tae Ri

Kim Ji Won

Park Bo Young

Park Hae Joon

Ju Ji Hoon

ATEEZ

TWICE

Guitarist Choi Hee Sun

Minister of Culture, Sports And Tourism’s Commendation

Go Youn Jung

Byeon Woo Seok

Ji Chang Wook

Choo Young Woo

RIIZE

i-dle

LE SSERAFIM

ZEROBASEONE

Comedian Lee Soo Ji

Dance crew BEBE