The 40th Golden Disc Awards took place in Taipei on January 10, 2026, celebrating the achievements of K-Pop artists over the past year. This prestigious ceremony, which recognizes excellence primarily based on sales and streaming figures, introduced a new award category—Artist of the Year—further elevating the event’s significance in the industry.
Among the standout performers of the night was Jennie from BLACKPINK, who took home the coveted Artist of the Year award, solidifying her position as a leading figure in K-Pop. The prestigious Song of the Year award went to G-DRAGON for his hit “HOME SWEET HOME,” featuring Taeyang and Daesung.
Other notable winners included BOYNEXTDOOR, who secured the Best Digital Song (Bonsang) award for their track “If I Say, I Love You.” The ceremony also celebrated a diverse range of artists, showcasing the genre’s growing influence both domestically and globally.
A Look at the Major Awards and Winners
The awards recognized various categories, each reflecting the dynamic landscape of K-Pop music. The Best Album (Bonsang) award was claimed by Stray Kids for their release “KARMA,” while the Rookie Artist of the Year honor went to CORTIS, marking a promising start for this new talent.
The full list of winners included:
– **Best Digital Song (Bonsang)**
– BOYNEXTDOOR – “If I Say, I Love You”
– LE SSERAFIM – “Hot”
– ALLDAY PROJECT – “Famous”
– Rosé – “toxic till the end”
– Jennie – “like JENNIE”
– BLACKPINK – “JUMP”
– ZO ZAZZ – “Don’t You Know”
– aespa – “Dirty Work”
– G-DRAGON – “HOME SWEET HOME (feat. Taeyang & Daesung)”
– IVE – “Rebel Heart”
– **Best Album (Bonsang)**
– NCT WISH – COLOR
– ATEEZ – GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2
– IVE – IVE
– EMPATHY
– RIIZE – ODYSSEY
– STRAY KIDS – KARMA
– G-DRAGON – ÜBERMENSCH
– ZEROBASEONE – NEVER SAY NEVER
– TXT – The Star Chapter: TOGETHER
– ENHYPEN – DESIRE: UNLEASH
– SEVENTEEN – HAPPY BURSTDAY
Additional accolades included the Global Impact Award for Jennie and the Best Performance Award for izna. The Hearts2Hearts award for Most Popular Artist was given to Jin of BTS, further showcasing the widespread appeal of K-Pop artists across different demographics.
The Golden Choice Award was presented to ARrC, while the Next Generation Award went to KiiiKiii. The Naver AI Choice Award was awarded to BOYNEXTDOOR, highlighting the integration of technology and music in the K-Pop scene.
As the evening concluded, the atmosphere was vibrant, filled with excitement and celebration. The Golden Disc Awards served not only as a platform to honor musical talent but also as a reflection of the genre’s evolution and its global resonance, marking a significant milestone in K-Pop history.
