Seoul, South Korea – The 34th Seoul Music Awards, a prestigious annual ceremony recognizing excellence in the South Korean music industry, convened on June 21, 2025, to celebrate the significant K-pop achievements from the preceding year, 2024. The event culminated in a landmark moment as the girl group (G)I-DLE was bestowed with the coveted Daesang, or Grand Prize, marking a historic milestone. Their victory represents the first time a girl group has received this top honor in 14 years, underscoring their profound impact and success within the industry during the eligibility period.
A Historic Triumph for (G)I-DLE
(G)I-DLE’s win of the Daesang is more than just an award; it signifies a significant shift and recognition of their artistry and commercial prowess. The group’s innovative music, compelling performances, and strong connection with fans worldwide contributed to their groundbreaking success in 2024. Their achievement breaks a nearly decade-and-a-half drought for girl groups in securing the industry’s most prestigious award, traditionally dominated by solo artists or boy groups. This moment is expected to inspire future generations of female artists in K-pop, highlighting the evolving landscape and growing influence of girl groups on the global stage.
Global Recognition: World’s Best Artists
The ceremony also cast a spotlight on artists with significant international reach, naming BLACKPINK’s Rosé and the group aespa as World Best Artists. Rosé, known for her distinctive vocal talent and global fashion icon status, continues to solidify her position as a formidable solo force following her group’s immense international success. Her recognition as a World Best Artist reflects her widespread popularity and impact on global music charts and cultural trends throughout 2024. Similarly, aespa received the same distinction, acknowledging their unique concept blending reality and virtuality, and their rapidly growing international fanbase and chart performance. Both awards underscore the increasing global footprint of K-pop artists and their ability to resonate with audiences far beyond South Korea.
BTS Members Honored for Individual Achievements
Members of the globally dominant group BTS were also among the night’s distinguished awardees, recognized for their individual endeavors during 2024. RM, the group’s leader and a respected lyricist and producer, received the award for Best R&B/Hip Hop Artist. This award acknowledges his contributions and influence within these genres, reflecting the diverse musical paths pursued by the BTS members. Jimin, another integral member of BTS, was presented with the Hallyu Special Award, a category that celebrates artists who have played a pivotal role in spreading the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, across the globe. The presentation of Jimin’s award held a notable moment as it was announced by TXT’s Soobin, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect within the K-pop community.
TXT’s Dominance Across Key Categories
Rising stars TXT (Tomorrow x Together) emerged as another major winner at the 34th Seoul Music Awards, demonstrating their significant growth and impact during 2024. The group bagged multiple prestigious awards, including Best Album and Best Song, signifying their critical and popular success across both full-length projects and hit singles. In addition to these top honors, TXT also received a Bonsang (Main Prize), an award given to several artists based on sales and other criteria, further cementing their status as one of the leading groups of their generation. Their multi-award win underscores their creative output and strong performance in the competitive K-pop market over the past year.
Celebrating a Year of K-Pop Excellence
The 34th Seoul Music Awards served as a comprehensive celebration of the vibrant and dynamic K-pop scene in 2024. The event highlighted the diverse talents that continue to propel the industry forward, from established global icons like BLACKPINK’s Rosé and members of BTS to groundbreaking groups like (G)I-DLE and TXT, as well as innovative acts like aespa. The awards not only recognized commercial success but also the artistic evolution and cultural impact of these artists. (G)I-DLE’s historic Daesang win stands as a powerful symbol of changing dynamics within the industry and the growing strength of female artists, promising an even more exciting future for K-pop on the world stage.
