BLACKPINK members Rosé, Lisa, Jennie and Jisoo, comedian Yoo Jae Suk, and several other prominent figures in Korean entertainment received honors at the 2026 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
The 17th annual ceremony took place on October 29th at the National Theater of Korea in Jung District, Seoul. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, the awards recognized 36 individuals and groups for their contributions to the development of South Korea’s popular culture and arts industry.
This year’s recipients included 10 Cultural Merit Medals, seven Presidential Commendations, eight Prime Minister’s Commendations, and 11 Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendations.
Singer Shin Hae Chul, who helped popularize Korean rock music through bands such as N.EX.T, was posthumously awarded the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, the second-highest class of the Cultural Merit Medal.
The Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit was presented to comedian and television host Yoo Jae Suk, singer Han Young Ae, musical producer Park Myung Sung, voice actress Park Young Nam, and jazz musician Shin Kwan Woong.
BLACKPINK members Rosé, Lisa, Jennie, and Jisoo each received the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit in recognition of their contributions to Korean popular culture.
The Presidential Commendations went to music director Kang Seung Won, rock band Boohwal, Super Junior, film director Jang Hang Jun, and actors Yoo Hae Jin, Ryu Seung Ryong and So Ji Sub.
Meanwhile, singer AKMU, actress Kim Go Eun, actors Yoo Seung Mok and Oh Jung Se, film director Yoon Ga Eun, singer-songwriter Lee Jae, pansori performer Lee Ja Ram, and broadcaster Bae Mi Hyang received Prime Minister’s Commendations.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendations were presented to comedians Kim Shin Young and Kim Won Hoon, choreographer Leejung Lee, actors Lim Ji Yeon, Choi Dae Hoon, Park Ji Hoon and Yoon Kyung Ho, film producer Jang Won Seok, singer Jang Min Ho, and K-pop groups NMIXX and ENHYPEN.
The ceremony also featured celebratory performances by crossover vocal group La Poem and singer Han Young Ae.
>> BLACKPINK, Yoo Jae Suk and Yoo Hae Jin Tipped for 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards
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