The 2025 edition saw aespa dominate the competition, securing Song of the Year and Best K-Pop Song for “Supernova” and Best K-Pop Album for Armageddon.
2025 Korean Music Awards winners.
The 22nd Korean Music Awards celebrated the best of South Korea’s music scene on Thursday, February 27. This year, aespa emerged as the biggest winners, bagging three major awards, while BIGBANG’s G-Dragon made a strong comeback with a win in the rap and hip-hop category.
Unlike most mainstream Korean music awards, the Korean Music Awards focuses on artistic merit, placing greater emphasis on albums and songs rather than sales figures. The 2025 edition saw aespa dominate the competition, securing Song of the Year and Best K-Pop Song for “Supernova” and Best K-Pop Album for Armageddon. The quartet triumphed over tough contenders like BLACKPINK’s Rosé & Bruno Mars’ “APT,” ILLIT’s “Magnetic,” and IU’s “Love Wins All.”
Other notable winners included Lee Seung Yoon, who was crowned Artist of the Year and also won Best Modern Rock Song for “Waterfall.” Meanwhile, Danpyunsun and the Moments Ensemble, the most nominated indie group, took home Album of the Year for Hail to the Music. Rising talent Sanmanhan was named Rookie of the Year.
BIGBANG’s G-Dragon proved his continued dominance in the industry, securing Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song for “POWER.” BIBI also made a mark, winning Best Pop Song for “Bam Yang Gang.”
Here’s the complete list of winners:
Major Awards:
Song of the Year: aespa – “Supernova”
Album of the Year: Danpyunsun and the Moments Ensemble – Hail to the Music
Artist of the Year: Lee Seung Yoon
Rookie of the Year: Sanmanhan
Genre-Based Awards:
Best K-Pop Album: aespa – Armageddon
Best K-Pop Song: aespa – “Supernova”
Best Pop Album: John Park – PSST!
Best Pop Song: BIBI – “Bam Yang Gang”
Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song: G-Dragon (BIGBANG) – “POWER”
The event also honored legendary composer Lee Ho Jun with an Honorary Award, while LIVE CLUB DAY received the Committee’s Special Award.
The Korean Music Awards continue to highlight artistry over sales, cementing their place as a respected institution in the industry.
- Location :
Seoul, South Korea
