[Edaily YUN GI BACK Reporter Kim Hyun-sik] “Young K, TREASURE, LISENNE, ATEEZ, RISE, ITZY, KIKI, ANDERBLE.”

Eight groups that shone in the K-pop scene this year took home the Grand Prize, the highest honor at the “2026 Korea Grand Music Awards” (2026 KGMA).

Held on the 7th and 8th at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, the “2026 KGMA” highlighted a wide range of achievements, from the prowess of band vocalists to the growth of rising stars. Young K took home five awards, while TREASURE and Lisanne each won four; ANDBLE made a strong impression by receiving the Grand Prize just six months after their debut.

◇ Young K Wins 5 Awards, TREASURE Wins 4… “An Ecstatic Day”

Young K received the “Grand Artist” award, presented to artists who have left an iconic mark on the K-pop industry. He took home a total of five trophies, including “Best Artist,” “Best Solo Artist (Male),” “Best OST,” and the “Kugung Most Popular Award.” Young K expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying, “Thank you for letting me experience such an enchanting day.”

TREASURE took home the “Grand Song” award, given to artists who have received high critical acclaim for their music. They also won in the “Best Artist,” “Best Hip-Hop,” and “Trend of the Year” (Group) categories, securing a total of four awards. TREASURE expressed their gratitude, saying, “Thank you for giving us these wonderful and precious awards,” and pledged, “We will continue to work hard to become great artists.”

ATEEZ won the “Grand Record” award in recognition of their highly polished albums and musical achievements. They also took home three awards, including “Best Music” and “Best Stage.” ATEEZ stated, “We never imagined we’d win a Grand Award three years in a row, but we’ve achieved a meaningful milestone,” adding, “We’ll become an ATEEZ that our fans can always be proud of.”

RISE took home two awards—the “Grand Performer,” given to the group that delivered the best stage performance, and “Best Music.” RISE shared, “Our fans’ warm support is the driving force behind our preparation for new performances,” adding, “We won’t rest on our laurels; we’ll continue to develop and grow.” In addition, ITZY, KIKI, LISENNE, and ANDERBLE all shared the honor of winning the “Grand Honors Choice,” the event’s highest accolade.

◇ Lisenne: Producers Celebrated Alongside Her… Andable Wins Grand Award Just 6 Months After Debut

Lissenne took home four awards, including “Grand Honors Choice,” “Best Artist,” “Best Memory,” and “Berryz Global Fan Choice.” Lee Ju-heon, CEO of The Muse Entertainment, who nurtured Lissenne, also won “Best Producer,” allowing the artist and producer to share the honor side by side. Lisenne and the production team collectively won a total of five trophies.

Lissenne stated, “I know that receiving an award is not a given, and the love you’ve shown us is more than we deserve,” adding, “We will strive to be a group that continues to grow.” CEO Lee said, “I have never once thought that Lissenne would fail,” and added, “I am grateful that so many people have recognized Lissenne’s potential.”

The performances of the rookies also drew attention. The “IS Rising Star” award, given to the rookie who showed the most outstanding performance this year, went to Andouble, Tweed, and Alpha Drive One.

In particular, Andouble garnered attention by winning in two categories: “Grand Honors Choice” and “IS Rising Star.” They expressed their gratitude, saying, “We are grateful to have received such a major award right after our debut,” and added, “We will become artists who can repay our fans’ love and make them proud.” Tweed expressed, “We are happy and overwhelmed to receive an award at our first awards ceremony,” and pledged, “We will bring you new joy through great performances and music.” Alpha Drive One stated, “We are delighted to receive this meaningful award,” and promised, “We will continue to repay your support with even better performances and music.”

Now in its third year, the KGMA is an awards ceremony that highlights artists who have been beloved throughout the year across various genres, including K-pop, trot, bands, and solo artists. It was hosted by Ilgan Sports (Edaily M) and co-organized by the KGMA Organizing Committee and Creatorling.
Winners were selected based on a comprehensive evaluation that combined the assessments of a judging panel composed of popular music experts—including composer Joo Young-hoon and producer Kim Hyung-seok—with digital music and album sales figures, as well as mobile voting results. Music and album data were provided by Hanteo Chart, Genie Music, FLO, and Bugs.