The Golden Disc Awards (Korean: 골든 디스크 시상식, formerly spelled the Golden Disk Awards before 2015) is an annual South Korean major music awards ceremony that honours achievements in the local music industry. The awards ceremony was founded with the purpose to promote popular culture creativity, discover new artists, and contribute to the growth of the music industry. The first ceremony was held in 1986. Later ceremonies have been held around Asia.
The 35th Golden Disc Awards was held on 9–10 January 2021 without a live audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
History
From its inception in 1986, the event was called the Korea Visual and Records Grand Prize Award (Korean: 대한민국 영상음반대상) until 2001, when the event named was changed to the Golden Disk Awards. The spelling was later changed to the Golden Disc Awards in 2015.
The awards ceremony was mainly hosted in South Korea until 2012, when it started hosting in other countries in Asia.
The Golden Disc Awards trophies were designed by sculptor Kim Su-hyeon, a professor at Chungbuk National University. The trophy is in the shape of a woman playing a traditional Korean wind instrument.
Ceremonies
| Edition | Year | Date of ceremony | Venue | Host city | Host country | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th | 1993 | 12 December 1993 | Grand Walkerhill Hotel | Seoul | South Korea | |
| 9th | 1994 | 11 December 1994 | National Theater of Korea | |||
| 10th | 1995 | 10 December 1995 | ||||
| 11th | 1996 | 8 December 1996 | ||||
| 12th | 1997 | 14 December 1997 | ||||
| 13th | 1998 | 5 December 1998 | ||||
| 14th | 1999 | 16 December 1999 | Sejong Center | |||
| 15th | 2000 | 1 December 2000 | ||||
| 16th | 2001 | 14 December 2001 | ||||
| 17th | 2002 | 13 December 2002 | ||||
| 18th | 2003 | 5 December 2003 | Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace | |||
| 19th | 2004 | 2 December 2004 | Sejong Center | |||
| 20th | 2005 | 7 December 2005 | ||||
| 21st | 2006 | 14 December 2006 | Olympic Park | |||
| 22nd | 2007 | 14 December 2007 | ||||
| 23rd | 2008 | 10 December 2008 | ||||
| 24th | 2009 | 10 December 2009 | ||||
| 25th | 2010 | 9 December 2010 | Korea University Hwajung Gymnasium | |||
| 26th | 2011 | 11–12 January 2012 | Osaka Dome | Osaka | Japan | |
| 27th | 2012 | 15–16 January 2013 | Sepang International Circuit | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | |
| 28th | 2013 | 16 January 2014 | Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace | Seoul | South Korea | |
| 29th | 2014 | 14–15 January 2015 | MasterCard Center | Beijing | China | |
| 30th | 2015 | 20–21 January 2016 | Kyung Hee University Grand Peace Palace | Seoul | South Korea | |
| 31st | 2016 | 13–14 January 2017 | KINTEX | Goyang | ||
| 32nd | 2017 | 10–11 January 2018 | ||||
| 33rd | 2018 | 5–6 January 2019 | Gocheok Sky Dome | Seoul | ||
| 34th | 2019 | 4–5 January 2020 | ||||
| 35th | 2020 | 9–10 January 2021 | KINTEX | Goyang | ||
| 36th | 2021 | 8 January 2022 | Gocheok Sky Dome | Seoul | ||
| 37th | 2022 | 7 January 2023 | Rajamangala Stadium | Bangkok | Thailand | |
| 38th | 2023 | 6 January 2024 | Jakarta International Stadium | Jakarta | Indonesia | |
| 39th | 2024 | 4–5 January 2025 | Mizuho PayPay Dome | Fukuoka | Japan | |
| 40th | 2025 | 10 January 2026 | Taipei Dome | Taipei | Taiwan | |
| 41st | 2026 | 9–10 January 2027 | Vietnam Exposition Center | Hanoi | Vietnam |
Award categories
As of the 40th Golden Disc Awards, there were three grand prizes: Album of the Year (also known as Album Daesang), Digital Song of the Year (also known as Digital Song Daesang), and Artist of the Year (also known as Artist Daesang). Main prizes (also known as Bonsang) are awarded to multiple artists in both the Album and Digital Song categories. The grand prize winners are chosen from the main prize winners.
- Album of the Year (Grand prize)
- Song of the Year (Grand prize)
- Artist of the Year (Grand prize)
- Album Bonsang (Main prize)
- Digital Song Bonsang (Main prize)
- Rookie Artist Award
- Popularity Award
- Genre awards
- Special awards
- International Recognition Awards
- Special Recognition Golden Disc Awards
- Other awards
Grand prizes
All winners are adapted from the Golden Disc Awards website.
Song of the Year (Digital Daesang)
| Year | Winner | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | G-Dragon featuring Taeyang and Daesung | "Home Sweet Home" |
| 2024 | Aespa | "Supernova" |
| 2023 | NewJeans | "Ditto" |
| 2022 | Ive | "Love Dive" |
| 2021 | IU | "Celebrity" |
| 2020 | "Blueming" | |
| 2019 | BTS featuring Halsey | "Boy with Luv" |
| 2018 | iKon | "Love Scenario" |
| 2017 | IU | "Through the Night" |
| 2016 | Twice | "Cheer Up" |
| 2015 | Big Bang | "Loser" |
| 2014 | Taeyang | "Eyes, Nose, Lips" |
| 2013 | Psy | "Gentleman" |
| 2012 | "Gangnam Style" | |
| 2011 | Girls' Generation | "The Boys" |
| 2010 | 2AM | "Can't Let You Go Even If I Die" |
| 2009 | Girls' Generation | "Gee" |
| 2008 | Jewelry | "One More Time" |
| 2007 | Ivy | "If You're Gonna Be Like This" |
| 2006 | SG Wannabe | "Partner for Life" |
Album of the Year (Album Daesang)
Artist of the Year (Artist Daesang)
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Jennie |
Main prizes
All winners are adapted from the Golden Disc Awards website.
Album Bonsang
Winner 1986–2005
Digital Bonsang
Rookie of the Year Award
Winners are listed alphabetically by year.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Allday Project |
| Cortis | |
| 2024 | BabyMonster |
| Illit | |
| TWS | |
| NCT Wish | |
| 2023 | Fifty Fifty |
| Zerobaseone | |
| 2022 | NewJeans |
| Ive | |
| Le Sserafim | |
| 2021 | STAYC |
| Aespa | |
| 2020 | Enhypen |
| Kim Ho-joong | |
| Treasure | |
| 2019 | Itzy |
| Tomorrow X Together | |
| 2018 | (G)I-dle |
| Stray Kids | |
| Iz*One | |
| 2017 | Wanna One |
| 2016 | Blackpink |
| Bolbbalgan4 | |
| I.O.I | |
| NCT 127 | |
| 2015 | GFriend |
| iKon | |
| Seventeen | |
| Twice | |
| 2014 | GOT7 |
| Red Velvet | |
| Winner | |
| 2013 | BTS |
| Crayon Pop | |
| Lim Kim | |
| Roy Kim | |
| 2012 | Exo |
| B.A.P | |
| Ailee | |
| Juniel | |
| Lee Hi | |
| 2011 | Apink |
| B1A4 | |
| Dal Shabet | |
| Boyfriend | |
| Huh Gak | |
| 2010 | Sistar |
| Secret | |
| Beast | |
| 2009 | 4Minute |
| T-ara | |
| 2008 | Shinee |
| Davichi | |
| 2007 | F.T. Island |
| Girls' Generation | |
| Younha | |
| 2006 | Gavy NJ |
| Super Junior | |
| SeeYa |
Winner 1986–2005
| Year | Winner | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Eru | IVY | Lim Jeong-hee |
| 2004 | SG Wannabe | Tei | — |
| 2003 | Big Mama | Seven | — |
| 2002 | Rain | Wheesung | — |
| 2001 | Jang Na-ra | Sung Si-kyung | — |
| 2000 | Chakra | Park Hyo-shin | Sky |
| 1999 | 1TYM | Lee Jung-hyun | — |
| 1998 | Fin.K.L | S.E.S | Taesaja |
| 1997 | Jinusean | Yangpa | — |
| 1996 | H.O.T | Idol | — |
| 1995 | Sung Jin-woo | — | — |
| 1994 | Two Two | — | — |
| 1991 | Shim Sin | Yoon Sang | — |
| 1990 | Kim Min-woo | Park Sung-shin | — |
| 1989 | Jo Gap-Gyeong | Park Hak-gi | — |
| 1988 | Byun Ji-sub | Lee Tzsche | — |
| 1987 | Lee Jung-suk | Moon Hee-ok | — |
| 1986 | Kim Seung-jin | Kim Wan-sun | — |
Popularity Award
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Hearts2Hearts |
| Jin | |
| 2024 | Le Sserafim |
| Plave | |
| 2023 | Jisoo |
| Lim Young-woong | |
| 2022 | BTS |
| 2021 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | Exo |
| 2016 | Shinee |
| 2015 | Shinee |
Winner 1986–2014
| Year | Winners |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Beast |
| Taemin | |
| Girls' Generation | |
| Toheart | |
| 2013 | Beast |
| Shinee | |
| Girls' Generation | |
| Roy Kim | |
| 2012 | G-Dragon |
| Shinee | |
| 2011 | Super Junior |
| 2010 | Girls' Generation |
| Shinee | |
| 2009 | Super Junior |
| Shinee | |
| 2008 | Son Ho-young |
| F.T. Island | |
| Taeyeon | |
| TVXQ | |
| 2007 | Super Junior |
| F.T. Island | |
| Girls' Generation | |
| Wonder Girls | |
| 2006 | Baek Ji-young |
| Park Sang-min | |
| Eru | |
| 2005 | Jang Woo-hyuk |
| g.o.d | |
| 2004 | Park Sang-min |
| Kim Jong- kook | |
| 2003 | S |
| 2002 | Baby V.O.X |
| 2001 | Yoo Seung-jun |
| S.E.S | |
| 2000 | J |
| Country Kko Kko | |
| Shinhwa | |
| 1999 | Kim Kyung-ho |
| Roo'ra | |
| Clon | |
| 1998 | Kim Jung-min |
| Cool | |
| 1997 | Diva |
| Untitle | |
| 1996 | Kim Jong-hwan |
| 1995 | Seo Taiji and Boys |
| 1994 | Deux |
| Choi Yeon-je | |
| 1993 | Choi Yeon-je |
| 1992 | Hyun Jin-young |
| Lee Deok-jin | |
| 1991 | Shin Hae-chul |
| Kang Susie | |
| 1990 | Min Hae-kyung |
| 1989 | Kim Heung-gook |
| 1988 | Sobangcha |
| 1987 | Kim Soo-hee |
| Yoon Su-il | |
| 1986 | Cho Yong-pil |
Genre awards
All winners are adapted from the Golden Disc Awards website.
Best R&B/Hip-Hop Award
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Big Naughty |
| 2020 | Changmo |
| 2019 | Zico |
| 2015 | San E |
Best Trot Award
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Lim Young-woong |
| 2019 | Song Ga In |
| 2014 | Hong Jin-young |
| 2008 | Jang Yoon-jeong |
| 2007 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2004 | Tae Jin-ah |
| 2003 | |
| 2002 | |
| 2001 | |
| 2000 | Seol Woon-do |
Best Ballad Award
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Lee Seung-gi |
| 2018 | Im Chang-jung |
Best OST Award
| Year | Winner | Song | Drama |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Crush | "Love You with All My Heart" | Queen of Tears |
| 2020 | Jo Jung-suk | "Aloha" | Hospital Playlist |
| 2019 | Gummy | "Remember Me" | Hotel del Luna |
| 2018 | Paul Kim | "Every Day, Every Moment" | Should We Kiss First? |
| 2017 | Ailee | "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" | Goblin |
| 2016 | Gummy | "You Are My Everything" | Descendants of the Sun |
Best Hip-Hop Award
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Mino |
| 2014 | Epik High |
| 2013 | Baechigi |
| 2012 | Epik High |
| 2010 | Supreme Team |
| 2009 | Epik High |
| 2007 | Dynamic Duo |
| 2006 | MC Mong |
| 2005 | Epik High |
Best Rock Award
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Hyukoh |
| 2015 | |
| 2011 | F.T. Island |
| 2010 | |
| 2009 | Kiha & The Faces |
| 2008 | Nell |
| 2004 | Jaurim |
| 2003 | Maya |
| 2002 | Jaurim |
| 2001 | Kim Jong-seo |
Best R&B/Soul Award
Special awards
All winners are adapted from the Golden Disc Awards website.
Best Group Award
| Year | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monsta X | |
| 2024 | Le Sserafim | |
| 2022 | Treasure | |
| 2021 | Brave Girls | |
| 2020 | Monsta X | |
| 2019 | Mamamoo | |
| 2018 | Male | Wanna One |
| Female | GFriend | |
| 2017 | Male | BtoB |
| Female | GFriend | |
Best Solo Artist Award
Performance Award
| Year | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TWS | Izna |
| 2022 | Seventeen | |
| 2021 | The Boyz | Jeon Somi |
| 2020 | Stray Kids | (G)I-dle |
| 2019 | Astro | (G)I-dle |
| 2016 | Sechs Kies | Sistar |
| 2014 | Beast | Apink |
| 2012 | Infinite | Trouble Maker |
Artist of the Year Award
Cosmopolitan Artist Award
| Year | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ive | |
| 2024 | NewJeans | |
| 2021 | Seventeen | Aespa |
| 2020 | NCT 127 | |
| 2019 | Twice | NU'EST |
| 2018 | Blackpink | Wanna One |
| 2011 | F.T. Island | |
Next Generation Award
| Year | Winner | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | KiiiKiii | — | — |
| 2024 | Kiss of Life | — | — |
| 2023 | BoyNextDoor | — | — |
| 2020 | Loona | The Boyz | — |
| 2019 | Kim Jae-hwan | AB6IX | Ateez |
| 2015 | Monsta X | — | — |
| 2014 | Tasty | Bestie | — |
| 2012 | BtoB | — | — |
Producer Award
| Year | Winner | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Min Hee-jin | |
| 2022 | Seo Hyun-joo | |
| 2020 | Bang Si-hyuk | |
| 2017 | ||
| 2014 | Hong Seung-seong | |
| 2011 | ||
| 2010 | ||
| 2009 | Lee Ho-yeon | |
| 2008 | Lee Soo-man | |
| 2007 | Park Jin-young |
International Recognition Awards
| Year | Winner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Thai K-pop Artist | Seventeen | ||
| 2020 | QQ Music Fans Choice K-Pop Artist | Exo | ||
| 2019 | NetEase Fans Choice K-Pop Star | BTS | ||
| 2018 | Global VLive Top 10 Best Artist Award | BTS | ||
| NetEase Music Global Star Popularity Award | ||||
| 2017 | Global Popularity Award | Exo | ||
| 2016 | Asia Popularity Award | Kim Jae Joong | ||
| Global K-Pop Artist Award | BTS | |||
| 2015 | Global Popularity Award | Exo | ||
| iQiyi Artist Award | Big Bang | Taeyeon | ||
| 2014 | China Good Will Star Award | Got7 | CNBLUE | |
| iQiyi Popularity Award | CNBLUE | |||
| 2012 | MSN International Award | Big Bang | ||
| 2011 | MSN International Award | Beast | ||
| MSN Japan Award | Super Junior | |||
| Best Asian Group Award | CNBLUE | |||
| Best Hallyu Star Award | Kara | |||
| Hallyu Icon Award | Infinite | Rainbow | Supernova | |
| ViVi Dream Award | CNBLUE | |||
| 2010 | MSN Asia Popularity Award | Super Junior | ||
Special Recognition Golden Disc Awards
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2018 | SSAW |
| 2007 | Kim Ah-joong |
| 2003 | Kang Won-rae |
| 2002 | Park Kyung-lim |
Other awards
| Year | Award | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Global Impact Award | Jennie |
| Naver AI Choice | Boynextdoor | |
| Golden Choice | ARrC | |
| Close Your Eyes | ||
| 2022 | Most Popular Artist | Stray Kids |
| (G)I-dle | ||
| 2020 | Golden Choice | NU'EST |
| Trend of the Year | Zico | |
| 2016 | Best K-Pop Band Award | CNBLUE |
| 2015 | Best Vocal Award | BtoB |
| Jung Yong-hwa | ||
| 2014 | Trend of the Year | Soyou & Junggigo |
| Commission Special Award | Deulgukhwa | |
| 2013 | Goodwill Star Award | CNBLUE |
| 2012 | Samsung Galaxy Star Award | Sistar |
| Golden Single Award | Teen Top | |
| InStyle Fashionista Award | Hongki | |
| JTBC Best Artist Award | Beast | |
| 2008 | New Trend Award | Kim Jong-wook |
Discontinued awards
See Awards
Ceci Asia Icon Award
| Year | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Exo | Twice |
| 2016 | Exo | Red Velvet |
| 2014 | CNBLUE | |
| 2013 | Shinee | Sistar |
| 2011 | Beast | |
Achievement Award
| Year | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Park Chun-seok | — |
| 2009 | Song Chang-sik | — |
| 2008 | Kim Chang-wan | — |
| 2005 | Cho Yong-pil | — |
| 2004 | Patti Kim | — |
| 2003 | Yang Hee-eun | — |
| 2002 | Kim Serena | — |
| 2001 | Song Dae-kwan | Ha Chun-hwa |
| 2000 | Choi Yoo-na | Clon |
| 1999 | Tae Jin-ah | — |
| 1998 | Song Dae-kwan | — |
| 1997 | Hyun Sook | — |
| 1996 | Hyeon In | — |
| 1995 | Lee Mi-ja | — |
| 1994 | Gil Ok-yoon | — |
| 1993 | Shin Hong-gyun | — |
| 1992 | Shin Hong-gyun | — |
| 1991 | Lim Jeong-su | — |
Music Video Awards
| Year | Award | Winner | Music video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Music Video Award | Cho PD | "My Style" |
| Popular Music Video Award | Lena Park | "In Dreams" | |
| Music Video Director's Award | Kim Nam-gyeong | "How Are You Doing?" by Hwayobi |
Producer Daesang
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1998 | Son Myeong-su – Apple Records |
| 1997 | Jang Yong-jin – SM Entertainment |
| 1996 | Park Nam-seong – Doremi Records |
| 1995 | Sa Maeng-seok – Line Sound |
| 1994 | Lee Seong-gyun – Dukyun Industries |
| 1993 | Lee Seong-gyun – Dukyun Industries |
| 1992 | Lee Seong-gyun – Dukyun Industries |
| 1991 | Jeon Gap-sin – Sorabel Records |
Encouragement Award
| Year | Winner | |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Green Area | — |
| 1994 | Kim Min-gyo | — |
| 1993 | Choi Yoo-na | Park Jeong-un |
| 1992 | Kim Kook-hwan | Moon Hee-ok |
Other Technical awards
| Year | Award | Winner | Song |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Planning Award | Eom Yong-seop | Back To You Again by Byun Jin-sub |
| Lyricist Award | Park Joo-yeon | Back To You Again; and "It's Only Love'" by Kim Min-woo | |
| Composition Award | Ha Kwang-hoon | Back To You Again; and "It's Only Love'" |
Most awarded artists
Most grand prizes awarded
This list includes both Album of the Year (Album Daesang) and Digital Song of the Year (Digital Song Daesang) award winners.
| Awards | Artist |
|---|---|
| 7 | BTS |
| 4 | Exo |
| 3 | Girls' Generation |
| Jo Sung-mo | |
| Kim Gun-mo | |
| SG Wannabe | |
| Super Junior | |
| IU | |
| 2 | Byeon Jin-seob |
| Psy | |
| Seventeen | |
| Shin Seung-hun | |
| TVXQ |
Most awarded overall
| Awards | Artist |
|---|---|
| 31 | BTS |
| 20 | Super Junior |
| 18 | Exo |
| 16 | Seventeen |
| 15 | Girls' Generation |
| CNBLUE | |
| 13 | Shinee |
| 12 | Beast |
| Shin Seung-hun | |
| Twice |
