The 40th Golden Disc Awards made history on 10 January at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan, bringing together K-pop’s biggest names for a night of celebration, momentum, and standout victories. With Daesangs, Bonsangs, and special honours on the line, the evening crowned a wide range of artists whose work defined the year in Korean music, from chart-topping tracks to breakthrough performers.
Leading the winners pack were Stray Kids, G-Dragon, and Jennie, each emerging as major standouts across headline categories, a testament to both their commercial impact and artistic resonance throughout the eligibility period.
The 40th Golden Disc Awards with upbit✨ TROPHY CEREMONY#JENNIE @jennierubyjane
— Golden Disc (@_GoldenDisc) January 11, 2026
🏆ARTIST OF THE YEAR
🏆BEST DIGITAL SONG
🏆BEST DIGITAL SONG (BLACKPINK)
🏆Global Impact Award with PRIZM
수상을 진심으로 축하합니다🎉#40thGDA #골든디스크어워즈 #Goldendiscawards… pic.twitter.com/ninvP8EXuZ
Stray Kids took home Album of the Year (Album Daesang) for their full-length album Karma, underscoring their continued rise as one of K-pop’s defining groups. Meanwhile, G-Dragon’s 'HOME SWEET HOME' secured Digital Song of the Year (Digital Daesang), cementing his legacy as one of the genre’s most influential soloists. Jennie also delivered a dominant showing on the night, collecting multiple awards across key categories and repeatedly stepping into the spotlight.
CONGRATULATIONS STRAY KIDS FOR WINNING BEST ALBUM (BONSANG) AT THE 40TH GDA! pic.twitter.com/TEqxBjfAC3
— 비니 (@spearhyunnie) January 10, 2026
Other standout winners included IVE, who emerged as one of the night’s most awarded groups with multiple wins across Bonsang categories. Acts such as ENHYPEN and MONSTA X also made their mark, with MONSTA X taking home Best Group, highlighting the continued strength of performance-driven acts within the industry.
Rising artists were also recognised throughout the ceremony, with newer names securing wins across special and performance categories, reflecting the evolving landscape of K-pop and the next generation of global contenders.
#가져와_new_pic 📸
— CORTIS (@cortis_bighit) January 10, 2026
260110 제40회 골든디스크어워즈 with 업비트#CORTIS #코르티스 #CORTIS_WhatYouWant#COLOR_OUTSIDE_THE_LINES #COTL pic.twitter.com/JozxPNZejZ
As the curtain closed on the 40th Golden Disc Awards, the ceremony stood as a snapshot of a vibrant, evolving K-pop ecosystem, one where established icons and rising stars alike continue to shape the sound and direction of the genre on an international stage.
Digital Daesang (Song of the Year)
G-Dragon – 'HOME SWEET HOME (feat. Taeyang, Daesung)'
Album Daesang (Album of the Year)
Stray Kids – KARMA
Artist Daesang (Artist of the Year)
Jennie
Digital Song Division Bonsang (Main Award for Best Songs)
aespa – 'Dirty Work'
ALLDAY PROJECT – 'FAMOUS'
BLACKPINK – 'JUMP'
BOYNEXTDOOR – 'IF I SAY, I LOVE YOU'
G-Dragon – 'HOME SWEET HOME (feat. Taeyang, Daesung)'
IVE – 'REBEL HEART'
Jennie – 'Like JENNIE'
LE SSERAFIM – 'HOT'
Rosé – 'toxic till the end'
ZO ZAZZ – 'Don’t you know'
Album Division Bonsang (Main Award for Best Albums)
ATEEZ – GOLDEN HOUR : Part.2
ENHYPEN – DESIRE : UNLEASH
G-Dragon – Ubermensch
IVE – IVE EMPATHY
NCT WISH – COLOR
RIIZE – ODYSSEY
SEVENTEEN – HAPPY BURSTDAY
Stray Kids – KARMA
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – The Star Chapter: TOGETHER
ZEROBASEONE – NEVER SAY NEVER
Rookie Artist of the Year
ALLDAY PROJECT
CORTIS
2026 Golden Disc Awards - Popularity Awards (Fan-Voted)
Most Popular Artist – Female
Hearts2Hearts
Most Popular Artist – Male
Jin
2026 Golden Disc Awards Winners - Special Awards
Best Group: Monsta X
Best Performance: izna, TWS
Cosmopolitan Artist: IVE
Global Impact: Jennie
Golden Choice: ARrC, CLOSE YOUR EYES
Naver AI Choice: BOYNEXTDOOR
Next Generation: KiiiKiii
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