South Korea's most prominent entertainment figures, including K-pop superstar G-Dragon, acclaimed actors Lee Byung-hun and Lee Min-ho, gathered to receive the country's highest government recognition for their contributions to popular culture. The Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, celebrated 31 individuals and teams who have significantly advanced Korean entertainment on both domestic and international stages.
The prestigious ceremony took place at the National Theater of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, on Thursday, marking another milestone in recognizing the global influence of Korean popular culture. Recipients were carefully selected based on their years of contribution, professional achievements, public recognition, and social reputation across various entertainment sectors including film, music, voice acting, and comedy.
The evening began with an electrifying performance by dance crew Bebe, who captivated the audience with choreographed routines set to popular tracks including "Golden" from the Netflix hit film "KPop Demon Hunters" and G-Dragon's "Too Bad." The performance set an energetic tone for the night's celebrations of Korean entertainment excellence.
This year's honors were distributed across four prestigious tiers: the Order of Cultural Merit, Presidential Commendation, Prime Minister's Commendation, and Minister of Culture's Commendation. The Order of Cultural Merit, representing the nation's highest distinction for artistic contributions, was further divided into three levels: the Silver Crown, Precious Crown (Bogwan), and Jade Crown (Okgwan).
Veteran actress Kim Hae-sook received the Silver Crown Order in recognition of her decades-long career and memorable performances in landmark productions such as "The Handmaiden" and "Thirst." Kim has become a beloved figure across both film and television, often portraying the quintessential Korean mother alongside A-list co-stars, earning her widespread respect throughout the industry.
The Precious Crown Order was bestowed upon veteran actors Lee Byung-hun, known for his roles in "Squid Game" and "Mr. Sunshine," and Jung Dong-hwan, celebrated for his performances in "The Fiery Priest" and "12:12: The Day." Upon receiving his award, Lee Byung-hun reflected on what he described as a milestone year filled with globally resonant projects.
"This year has been a truly special one for me -- from 'Squid Game' and 'KPop Demon Hunters' to 'No Other Choice,' which is currently being screened at international film festivals," Lee said during his acceptance speech. "Meeting audiences and fans overseas -- not only K-pop and K-drama fans but people who deeply appreciate Korean culture -- I could really feel first-hand how incredible the global influence of 'K' culture has become. As a Korean and as someone working in Korean popular arts, it's been a year of immense pride."
The Jade Crown Order was awarded to three distinguished recipients: G-Dragon, veteran voice actor Bae Han-seong known for his work on "The Simpsons" and "Tom & Jerry," and the late comedian Jeon Yoo-sung. G-Dragon appeared visibly nervous yet deeply moved as he accepted his honor, reminiscing about his lifelong pursuit of music that began in childhood.
"The first place I remember going, holding tightly onto my mother's hand, was an audition hall when I was around six years old. Since that day, I've been dreaming the same dream ever since," G-Dragon shared in his emotional acceptance speech. "In my teens, I dreamed of becoming a singer -- and that dream came true. In my twenties, I received a commendation, and in my thirties, I was even awarded the Jade Crown Order. So I have high hopes for my forties," he added, drawing laughter from the audience.
Continuing his heartfelt remarks, G-Dragon paid tribute to the artists who inspired his journey. "There are so many senior artists who made me dream. They were shining stars to me every single day. I grew up listening to their songs, and now I've become one of those stars myself... Every day feels like a dream come true," he said.
Presidential Commendations were presented to a diverse group of entertainment professionals, including actors Kim Mi-kyung, Lee Min-ho, and Lee Jung-eun. The K-pop industry was well-represented with honors going to established groups TVXQ and Seventeen, as well as Rosé from the globally successful group Blackpink. Voice actor Kim Eun-young also received this distinguished recognition.
Prime Minister's Commendations recognized both established and rising stars in the entertainment industry. Actors Kim Tae-ri, Kim Ji-won, Park Bo-young, Park Hae-joon, and Ju Ji-hoon were honored alongside popular K-pop groups Ateez and Twice. Musician Choi Hee-sun also received this prestigious recognition for her contributions to Korean popular music.
The Minister of Culture's Commendations celebrated the newest generation of Korean entertainment talent. Actors Go Youn-jung, Byeon Woo-seok, Ji Chang-wook, and Choo Young-woo were recognized for their rising influence in the industry. The K-pop category saw honors for several prominent groups including Riize, (G)I-dle, Le Sserafim, and Zerobaseone, demonstrating the continued vitality of the Korean music scene. Comedian Lee Soo-ji and dance group Bebe rounded out this category of recipients.
The ceremony highlighted the remarkable global reach of Korean popular culture, with many recipients acknowledging how their work has resonated with international audiences. The diverse range of honorees, spanning multiple generations and entertainment sectors, reflects the depth and breadth of Korea's cultural influence in today's global entertainment landscape.
