2026 Golden Disc Awards: G-Dragon, Jennie, and Stray Kids Reign as K-Pop’s Biggest Night Expands with Historic New Top Honor

The 40th edition of the Golden Disc Awards (GDAs) delivered a night of seismic shifts, globe-spanning surprises, and undeniable star power as K-pop’s most prestigious ceremony entered a new era. Hosted at Taipei Dome in Taiwan on January 10, the glittering affair saw G-Dragon, Jennie, and Stray Kids take home the evening’s highest honors — including a brand-new Artist of the Year Daesang that rewrites the award show’s three-decade-old rulebook.

A Historic Night in Taipei

For the first time in its 40-year history, the Golden Disc Awards introduced three Daesangs (grand prizes) instead of the traditional two. Organizer HLL JoongAng unveiled the Artist Daesang — effectively Artist of the Year — to better reflect K-pop’s global dominance. The new category was determined by 60% quantitative data (streaming, album sales, global chart activity via Circle Chart) and 40% expert panel evaluation.

“The executive committee discussed for a long time how to reflect the spread of K-pop in the global music market,” HLL JoongAng said in a November statement. The decision underscores how K-pop has outgrown its domestic roots, with acts now commanding Billboard Hot 100 entries and global tours that rival Western pop titans.

Artist of the Year: Jennie Takes the Crown

The inaugural Artist Daesang went to BLACKPINK’s Jennie, a fitting tribute to a soloist whose 2025 was nothing short of meteoric. Her single “Like JENNIE” dominated charts worldwide, and her influence extended beyond music into fashion, film, and philanthropy. Accepting the award, Jennie thanked fans and her label, calling the honor “a dream I never dared to dream.” The win solidifies her position as one of K-pop’s most formidable forces — a rare artist who bridges commercial success and critical acclaim.

Jennie also took home the Global Impact special award, further cementing her cross-border appeal. Throughout the night, she was seen mingling with industry titans, including G-Dragon and Song Joong-ki, who presented the top prizes.

Digital Song Daesang: G-Dragon’s Emotional Return

G-Dragon’s “HOME SWEET HOME (feat. Taeyang, Daesung)” won the Digital Daesang (Song of the Year), marking the BIGBANG leader’s first GDA top prize since 2018. The track, a nostalgic yet modern ode to his roots, resonated deeply with fans and critics alike. Its victory over stiff competition — aespa’s “Dirty Work,” BLACKPINK’s “JUMP,” and Rosé’s “toxic till the end” — proved that G-Dragon’s artistry remains untouchable even after years of military service and legal battles.

The win also signals a K-pop nostalgia wave, with veteran acts reclaiming spotlight alongside rookies. G-Dragon’s performance later in the show, featuring a medley of hits, brought the Taipei Dome audience to its feet.

Album Daesang: Stray Kids’ KARMA Reigns Supreme

Stray Kids claimed the Album Daesang for their record-breaking LP KARMA, beating out ATEEZ’s GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2 and ENHYPEN’s DESIRE : UNLEASH. The album sold over 4 million copies in its first week, a feat that cemented Stray Kids as the biggest K-pop act of 2025 by pure physical sales. During their acceptance speech, leader Bang Chan dedicated the award to STAYs, the group’s fandom, and promised “even bigger surprises in 2026.”

Stray Kids also performed a high-energy set that included a snippet of their upcoming single, teasing a new era that fans have already dubbed “KARMA’s revenge.” The group has been on a nonstop world tour, and their GDA dominance only adds fuel to the fire.

Digital Song & Album Bonsangs: A Sweep of Winners

Beyond the Daesangs, the ceremony awarded multiple Bonsangs (main prizes) in both categories. Here are the key winners:

• Digital Song Division Bonsang: aespa (“Dirty Work”), ALLDAY PROJECT (“FAMOUS”), BLACKPINK (“JUMP”), BOYNEXTDOOR (“IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU”), G-Dragon (“HOME SWEET HOME”), IVE (“REBEL HEART”), Jennie (“Like JENNIE”), LE SSERAFIM (“HOT”), Rosé (“toxic till the end”), ZO ZAZZ (“Don’t you know”)
• Album Division Bonsang: ATEEZ (GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2), ENHYPEN (DESIRE : UNLEASH), G-Dragon (Ubermensch), IVE (IVE EMPATHY), NCT WISH (COLOR), RIIZE (ODYSSEY), SEVENTEEN (HAPPY BURSTDAY), Stray Kids (KARMA), TOMORROW X TOGETHER (The Star Chapter: TOGETHER), ZEROBASEONE (NEVER SAY NEVER)

The Bonsangs reflect the industry’s diversity — from powerhouse fourth-gen groups to solo icons and rising rookie collectives. Notably, SEVENTEEN’s inclusion in the album list marks their 10th consecutive GDA Bonsang, a streak that underscores their enduring popularity.

Rookie of the Year and Special Awards

The Rookie Artist of the Year category was split between two acts: ALLDAY PROJECT and CORTIS. Both groups represented the hyper-competitive fifth generation of K-pop, where digital savvy and viral moments often outweigh traditional training. ALLDAY PROJECT, a seven-member boy group, had already amassed a massive following through TikTok teasers, while CORTIS’s debut single “Echo” topped Korean streaming charts for six weeks.

Other notable special awards included:

• Best Group: Monsta X
• Best Performance: izna, TWS
• Cosmopolitan Artist: IVE
• Global Impact: Jennie
• Golden Choice: ARrC, CLOSE YOUR EYES
• Naver AI Choice: BOYNEXTDOOR
• Next Generation: KiiiKiii

Monsta X’s win for Best Group was a sentimental moment, as the group has been navigating solo enlistments and military hiatuses. Their fans, Monbebes, were visibly emotional as the members dedicated the award to their absent leader Shownu.

Performance Highlights: Tributes and New Waves

The 2026 GDAs featured an 18-act lineup that spanned generations. Among the most talked-about moments:

• TWS covered BTS’s “Spring Day” — a poignant tribute that drew tears from the audience and a standing ovation from BTS members watching from the VIP section (Jin was present as a nominee and presenter).
• izna performed Wonder Girls’ “Be My Baby” — a perfect homage to the girl group pioneers, delivered with modern choreography and vocal arrangements.
• LE SSERAFIM brought the house down with “HOT” — the performance included a live band, pyrotechnics, and a surprise cameo by producer Bang Si-hyuk on guitar.
• G-Dragon closed the show with a 10-minute megamix — featuring BIGBANG classics and his solo hits, ending with a confetti cannon that showered the Taipei Dome in gold.

The evening was hosted by veteran singer Sung Si-kyung and actress Mun Ka-young, whose chemistry kept the four-hour ceremony flowing smoothly. Presenters included A-list actors Song Joong-ki, Byeon Woo-seok, and Ahn Hyo-seop, adding a touch of K-drama glamour to the proceedings.

Popularity Awards: Fans Decide

Completely fan-voted, the Most Popular Artist awards went to:

• Female: Hearts2Hearts — a shock win over powerhouse groups like BLACKPINK and aespa, highlighting the rising fifth-gen group’s dedicated fanbase.
• Male: Jin (BTS) — the singer, currently on a global solo tour, took the prize despite not releasing a new album in 2025 (his Happy EP was included in the album Bonsang nominations).

The results underscored the power of organized voting blocs, with both winners boasting fiercely loyal fandoms that mobilized millions of votes via the official GDA app.

What the 2026 GDAs Mean for K-Pop’s Future

The introduction of the Artist Daesang, the expanded trophy design (with solid gold for top honors), and the global venue selection all point to one reality: K-pop is no longer a niche genre but a central pillar of the international music industry. The Golden Disc Awards, once a domestic affair, now command global attention — with livestreams in 12 languages and a social media reach that rivals the Grammys.

As the industry braces for an even more crowded 2026 — with anticipated comebacks from BTS (post-military reunion), BLACKPINK’s world tour extension, and a wave of new rookie groups — the GDAs have set a benchmark for how awards shows can evolve. The question now is whether other K-pop ceremonies will follow suit, or if the Golden Disc Awards will remain the gold standard. One thing is certain: the night in Taipei proved that K-pop’s golden age is far from over — it’s just getting started.

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