SINGAPORE: The 40th Golden Disc Awards with Upbit marked a milestone night for K-pop, with Jennie, G-Dragon, and Stray Kids taking home the ceremony’s highest honor, the Daesang.
The awards ceremony was held on January 10 at 6:30 PM KST at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan, making history as the first K-pop awards show to be staged at the venue. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Golden Disc Awards carried added significance this year, reflecting four decades of Korean popular music and its expanding global presence. The ceremony was hosted by singer Sung Si Kyung and actress Moon Ga Young.
The night’s top prizes highlighted the industry’s most influential artists of the year. Jennie was awarded the Daesang for Artist of the Year, G-DRAGON received the Daesang for Digital Song of the Year, and Stray Kids closed the ceremony with the Daesang for Album of the Year.
G-DRAGON’s Message
G-DRAGON claimed the Digital Song of the Year Daesang with “HOME SWEET HOME,” featuring Taeyang and Daesung. Unable to attend in person, he appeared through a video message, sharing his gratitude. “I would like to congratulate the Golden Disc Awards on their 40th anniversary,” he said, adding that he was honored to receive his first award of the year with the Digital Song of the Year.
He went on to thank fans and wish everyone a happy new year, before drawing attention with his remark that he would be returning this year together with the BIGBANG members.
Jennie’s Acceptance Speech
Actor Byun Woo Seok presented the Artist of the Year award, first reflecting on the power of music and the passion behind each performance he witnessed that night. He then announced Jennie as the Daesang winner.
Taking the stage, Jennie said she had just come down from performing and was not sure if she could fully express everything she had prepared. She thanked the Golden Disc Awards for the honor and reflected on her journey, noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of her debut. She shared that continuing to move forward has brought her closer to her dream, which made the moment even more meaningful.
Jennie also expressed gratitude to the staff, her family, and the dancers who supported her, adding that it had been a while since she attended a domestic awards ceremony and that she truly wanted to do well. She thanked the directors for creating such an incredible stage and sent heartfelt appreciation to her fans, saying she was proud and grateful, and that she loves BLINK deeply.
Laughing, she added that she wanted to stay calm but was sweating so much that her face felt like a mess, before concluding that she would continue to grow as an artist who makes great music.
Stray Kids’ Daesang Moment
Accepting the Album of the Year Daesang, Stray Kids thanked everyone who has supported them along the way. They shared that above all, they believe it was thanks to STAY, their fandom, that they were able to receive such a meaningful grand prize.
40th Golden Disc Awards with Upbit Winners
• Artist of the Year (Daesang): Jennie
• Digital Song of the Year (Daesang): G-DRAGON
• Album of the Year (Daesang): Stray Kids
• Album Division Main Award: NCT WISH, ATEEZ, IVE, RIIZE, Stray Kids, G-DRAGON, ZEROBASEONE, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, SEVENTEEN, ENHYPEN
• Digital Song Division Main Award: BOYNEXTDOOR, LE SSERAFIM, ALLDAY PROJECT, Rosé, Jennie, BLACKPINK, JojjaeZ, aespa, IVE, G-DRAGON
• Rookie of the Year: KORTIS, ALLDAY PROJECT
• Golden Disc Upbit Popularity Award: Jin, Hearts2Hearts
• Best Performance: IZNA, TWS
• Best Group: MONSTA X
• Naver AI Choice Award: BOYNEXTDOOR
• Cosmopolitan Artist Award: IVE
• Global Impact Award with PRIZM: Jennie
• Next Generation Award: KiiiKiii
• Golden Choice Award: ARK, Close Your Eyes
Congratulations to all the winners who made the 40th Golden Disc Awards a memorable celebration of K-pop’s past, present, and future.
Article source, images courtesy of GDA 2026
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