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TAIPEI – The 40th Golden Disc Awards with Upbit took place on January 10 at the Taipei Dome, celebrating the pinnacle of Korean popular music from the past year. The night’s biggest spotlight shone on BLACKPINK’s Jennie, who made history by becoming the first recipient of the newly established Artist Grand Prize (Daesang).
Jennie’s Historic Night: 4 Wins and a 10th Anniversary
Jennie proved her unrivaled power as both a soloist and a member of BLACKPINK, securing a total of four awards. In addition to the Artist Grand Prize, she took home the Digital Bonsang (for both her solo work and group activities) and the Global Impact Award with Prism.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Jennie noted the significance of the timing. "I am deeply grateful for this honor. This year marks my 10th debut anniversary," she shared. "It feels like I’ve moved one step closer to my dreams thanks to the time I've spent running tirelessly. I wanted to deliver a perfect performance for my fans after being away from domestic award ceremonies for a while." She also shared the glory with her fellow members, adding, "I think Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa will be very happy too."
Major Category Winners: G-Dragon and Stray Kids
The other top honors of the night went to industry titans G-Dragon and Stray Kids.
G-Dragon claimed the Digital Song of the Year (Daesang), reaffirming his status as a legendary trendsetter.
Stray Kids took home the Album of the Year (Daesang) for their work, including the hit "Karma," marking another milestone in their global career.
Rising Stars and Notable Achievements
The ceremony also highlighted the remarkable growth of several artists:
IVE secured three wins, including an Album Bonsang, Digital Bonsang, and the Cosmopolitan Artist Award. The members expressed their gratitude, noting that all members participated in the lyric-writing process for their hit album IVE EMPATHY.
All Day Project, a multinational co-ed group that debuted in June 2025, made a splash by winning both the Rookie of the Year and a Digital Bonsang.
BOYNEXTDOOR surprised fans during their acceptance speech for the Digital Bonsang by announcing the preparation of their first full-length album slated for 2026.
ZEROBASEONE delivered a touching speech upon winning an Album Bonsang, as the group prepares for the conclusion of their official activities this coming March.
Celebrating 40 Years of K-Pop
In honor of the 40th anniversary, the "Golden Disc Powerhouse 40" list was unveiled, recognizing 40 influential figures who have shaped the history of Korean music, with BLACKPINK among the prominent names included.
The event, hosted by Sung Si-kyung and Moon Ga-young, featured a star-studded lineup of performances from artists including LE SSERAFIM, ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, and TWS, captivating a sold-out crowd in Taipei.
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