BLACKPINK expected to receive 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Award at 10-year mark
BLACKPINK will receive an award at the 2026 Republic of Korea Popular Culture and Arts Award ceremony on December 29—but the group won't be there to accept it in person.
BLACKPINK is expected to receive an award at the 2026 Republic of Korea Popular Culture and Arts Award ceremony. The 17th edition takes place December 29 at the Haeoreum Theatre of the National Theatre of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul. A State Council meeting approved the related agenda on October 27 with President Lee Jae-myung's authorization.
The group debuted in August 2016 and marks their 10th anniversary this year. In 2022, BORN PINK made them the first K-pop girl group to reach No. 1 on both the US Billboard 200 and the UK Official Albums Chart.
Members won't be in the room
None of the four members are expected to attend. Gathering all four together is difficult enough; individual schedules make it impossible this time around. Each will submit a separate acceptance speech video instead.
All four are deep in solo work right now. Jennie released Fallen Angel in August. Rosé dropped new trick, a collaboration with Apple, on December 18. Lisa released the mini-album PRESS PLAY on December 23. Jisoo will present ADDICTED, the pre-release track from her first solo studio album, on December 30.
The ceremony's top honor goes elsewhere
The ceremony will present approximately 31 awards across four honor grades: the Culture Medal (문화훈장), Presidential Commendation, Prime Minister's Commendation, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation. Broadcaster Yoo Jae-seok is confirmed to receive the Culture Medal—the highest honor grade. Yoo debuted through KBS's first university comedy competition in 1991 and has led programs including Infinite Challenge, Running Man, What Do You Do When You Play?, and You Quiz on the Block across 35 years in broadcasting.
Among comedian-turned-broadcasters, Lee Kyung-gyu received the Bohwan Culture Medal (Grade 3) in 2017 and Lim Ha-ryong received the same in 2020. The late Jeon Yu-sung was posthumously awarded the Okgwan Culture Medal (Grade 4) last year.
Cheer the story
