BTS’ Jin and J-Hope Shine as 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards Kick Off With Star-Studded First Day

The 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA) opened its doors in spectacular fashion on November 14 at the INSPIRE Arena in Incheon, delivering a night of unforgettable performances and well-deserved honors. Among the biggest winners of the evening were BTS members Jin and J-Hope, who each took home prestigious individual awards—a testament to their enduring power as solo artists even as the legendary group continues its chapter-by-chapter evolution.

BTS Solo Triumphs: Jin and J-Hope Capture Key Categories

Jin, the eldest member of BTS, claimed the Best Music Video award for his emotionally resonant solo single “Don’t Say You Love Me.” The track, released during the eligibility period (October 2024 to September 2025), showcased Jin’s vulnerable vocal delivery and was paired with a visually stunning music video that fans and critics alike praised for its cinematic storytelling.

Meanwhile, J-Hope earned the Best Hip Hop award for his high-energy banger “Killin’ It.” The song further cemented his reputation as one of K-pop’s most dynamic rappers and performers, blending sharp lyricism with an infectious beat that has dominated playlists since its release. These wins reflect the immense individual star power that BTS members continue to wield, even as the group navigates its current hiatus for mandatory military service.

A Night of Grand Prizes: Daesang Winners and Major Highlights

The second edition of the KGMA, which debuted in 2024, has quickly established itself as a major fixture on the K-pop awards calendar. The first day, dubbed Artist Day, celebrated mainstream talent across K-pop, trot, and other genres. The evening’s top honors—the Daesang (grand prizes)—were awarded to a quartet of acts that have dominated the past year:

• ATEEZ – Grand Artist (Daesang)
• ALLDAY PROJECT – Grand Honour Choice (Daesang)
• THE BOYZ – Grand Honour Choice (Daesang)
• BOYNEXTDOOR – Grand Performer (Daesang)

ATEEZ, fresh off a year of sold-out world tours and critically acclaimed albums, took the night’s most coveted accolade, while BOYNEXTDOOR’s explosive stage presence earned them the Grand Performer award. Rookie group ALLDAY PROJECT and veteran boy band THE BOYZ shared the Grand Honour Choice, underscoring the awards’ mission to honor both rising stars and established acts.

Full Winners List: From Best OST to Rookie of the Year

Beyond the Daesang, the KGMA spread its recognition across a wide array of categories. Here is a complete rundown of the Day 1 winners:

• Best Artist (Top 10): BLACKPINK’s Jennie, RIIZE, BOYNEXTDOOR, FIFTY FIFTY, ATEEZ, THE BOYZ, CRAVITY, Lee Chan Won, Xdinary Heroes, xikers
• Best OST: EXO’s D.O. (Doh Kyungsoo) – “Forever” (from Resident Playbook)
• Best Music Video: BTS’ Jin – “Don’t Say You Love Me”
• Best Hip Hop: BTS’ J-Hope – “Killin’ It”
• Girl Trend of the Year (K-pop group): NewJeans
• Trend of the Year (Trot): Lee Chan Won
• Overseas K-pop Artist: INI (Japan)
• Best Band: Xdinary Heroes
• Best Trot Performance: Park Seo Jin
• IS Rising Star: ALLDAY PROJECT, KiiiKiii
• IS Rookie: MEOVV
• iM Bank Smart Supporter: THE BOYZ
• Best Memory: WOODZ
• Best Adult Contemporary: Lee Chan Won
• Most Popular Award: Lee Chan Won
• Best Stage: CRAVITY
• Best Producer: Teddy (THEBLACKELABEL)

Notable highlights include NewJeans winning Girl Trend of the Year—a category that underscores their meteoric rise despite recent legal turbulence—and Lee Chan Won’s triple victory in trot-related categories, solidifying his status as the genre’s reigning star. Producer Teddy, the mastermind behind many of BLACKPINK’s greatest hits, was rightfully recognized for his continued influence behind the scenes.

Star-Studded Presenters and Attendees

The ceremony was co-hosted by actress Nam Ji Hyun and Red Velvet’s Irene, who brought their signature charm to the proceedings. The audience was sprinkled with K-drama royalty: Ahn Hyo Seop, Bae Hyeon Sung, Uhm Tae Goo, Seo Eun Soo, Seo Ji Hun, Kim Yo Han, Cho Young Woo, and Ha Young all took the stage to present awards. The crossover between the music and acting worlds was palpable, adding a layer of glamour to the already glittering evening.

Day 2 Preview: Stray Kids, IVE, BtoB and More Set to Perform

If Day 1 was any indication, the second day of the KGMA—titled Music Day—promises to be even more explosive. Scheduled for November 15 at the same INSPIRE Arena, it will be hosted by Nam Ji Hyun and Kiss of Life’s Natty.

The performance lineup reads like a who’s who of K-pop’s current powerhouses:

• Stray Kids
• BtoB
• IVE
• Kiss of Life
• P1Harmony
• Hearts2Hearts

A legendary roster of presenters—including Byeon Woo Seok, Choi Yoon Ji, Joo Hyun Young, Jung Jun Won, Kang Tae Oh, Kim Dan, Kim Doyeon, Kim Min Seok, Lee Joo Yeon, Lee Se Young, Ong Seong Wu, Park Se Wan, Sooyoung, and Yoon Ga Yi—will hand out the remaining honors. With such deep talent on both sides of the stage, Music Day is poised to deliver both emotional speeches and show-stopping performances.

Why the 2025 KGMA Matters for the K-pop Industry

As the KGMA evolves into its second year, it has carved out a unique niche by blending mainstream K-pop with trot and other Korean music genres—a rarity among major Korean award shows. The inclusion of dedicated trot categories alongside hip-hop and band awards reflects the diverse listening habits of the modern Korean audience. Moreover, the emphasis on both idol group grand prizes and individual artist accolades (like Jin and J-Hope’s wins) demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the current solo era within K-pop.

For BTS fans, seeing Jin and J-Hope collect solo hardware serves as a powerful reminder that the group’s legacy continues to flourish even during their military enlistment period. Their wins also set the stage for what could be a competitive 2026 season, as more BTS members complete their service and potentially release new solo material.

The 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards have already proven to be a celebration of artistic excellence, genre-spanning appeal, and the sheer global dominance of Korean pop culture. With Day 2 on the horizon, the only question remaining is: who will steal the show next?

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