Stars who have brightened Korean pop culture are gathering in one place to honor their achievements.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Choi Hwi-young, hereinafter referred to as MCST), along with the Korea Creative Content Agency (Director Kim Yoon-ji, hereinafter referred to as KOCCA), will hold the "17th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards" ceremony at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Now in its 17th year, the Popular Culture and Arts Awards is the highest-level government commendation in the field of pop culture, honoring those who have enhanced the social status of pop culture artists and contributed to the development of the industry. A total of 36 individuals and teams were selected as winners after a comprehensive review of their service periods, domestic and international activities, and industry contributions.
The prestigious Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit will be awarded to the late Shin Hae-chul, who debuted by winning the grand prize at the 1988 Riverside Song Festival and led the popularization of Korean rock music through bands such as N.EX.T.
The Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit will be awarded to comedian Yu Jae-seok, who has been loved by the public as the "national MC" with a career spanning over 30 years since his debut in 1991, and singer Han Young-ae, who marks the 50th anniversary of her debut with songs like "Who Is There" and "Tune." In addition, performance producer Park Myung-sung, who has led performance production for over 40 years by staging musicals such as "Mamma Mia!" and "Chicago"; voice actor Park Young-nam, who has voiced characters like Dooli in "Dooli the Little Dinosaur" and Crayon Shin-chan in "Crayon Shin-chan"; and jazz instrumentalist Shin Kwan-woong, who has guarded the Korean jazz stage for over half a century, will also receive the Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit.
Following them, all four members of the group BLACKPINK (ROSE, LISA, JENNIE, JISOO), marking the 10th anniversary of their debut, will receive the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit. BLACKPINK was recognized for their contributions to the global expansion of K-pop, including topping the Billboard 200 and becoming the first global pop artists to surpass 100 million YouTube subscribers.
The Presidential Commendation will be awarded to 7 individuals and teams, including music director Kang Seung-won, the band Boohwal, the group SUPER JUNIOR, director Jang Hang-jun who attracted 16 million moviegoers with the film "The King's Warden," and actors Yoo Hai-jin, Ryu Seung-ryong, and So Jisub.
The Prime Minister's Commendation goes to 8 individuals and teams, including broadcaster Bae Mi-hyang, director Yoon Ga-eun, traditional pansori singer Lee Ja-ram, composer EJAE, and actors Yu Seung-mok, Kim Goeun, Oh Jung-se, and the duo AKMU.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation lists 11 individuals and teams, including comedians Kim Shin-young and Kim Won-hun, choreographer LEEJUNG, actor Lim Ji-yeon, producer Jang Won-seok, actors Choi Dae-hoon, PARK JIHOON, and Yoon Kyungho, singer JANG MINHO, and groups NMIXX and ENHYPEN.
The awards ceremony will be hosted by broadcaster KANG JIYOUNG and actor Hwang In-youp, with celebratory performances by the crossover group La Poem and singer Han Young-ae.
Minister Choi Hwi-young stated, "This year's winners are individuals who have spent a long time together with the public in their respective positions on stage, in broadcasting, and in film, leading the development of our popular culture and arts." He added, "We will spare no support so that pop culture artists can continue their creative activities with pride, while steadily striving to remember and honor the footsteps and achievements they have left behind."
(Photo: SBS Star News DB, provided by respective agencies)
Reporter Kang Sun-ae
(SBS Star News Reporter Kang Sun-ae)
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