The Golden Disc Awards has revealed the second set of honorees for the special “Golden Disc Powerhouse 40”, a project commemorating its 40th anniversary by recognizing 40 influential figures who shaped Korean popular music from 1986 to 2025. The announcement comes ahead of the 40th Golden Disc Awards, which will be held on January 10, 2026, at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan.
The newly unveiled 10 names are Deux, Deulgukhwa, J.Y. Park, Bang Si Hyuk, BTS, BoA, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, Seo Taiji, and Girls’ Generation. Each of these honorees has been recognized for their pivotal roles in reshaping the industry—whether through pioneering new genres, building the K-pop system, or dominating the global music market.
Deux modernized Korean music in the 1990s with hip-hop and R&B, while legendary rock band Deulgukhwa left timeless hits such as “That’s My World” and “Please”. J.Y. Park was recognized not only for his own hit songs like “Don’t Leave Me” but also as the producer behind stars including Rain, Wonder Girls, TWICE, and Stray Kids. HYBE founder Bang Si Hyuk was acknowledged for changing the paradigm of K-pop, leading BTS to worldwide success.
BTS themselves have been named for their unparalleled global impact, including record-breaking hits like “Dynamite” and six consecutive Daesang wins at the Golden Disc Awards. BoA, often dubbed the “Star of Asia,” was honored for her early role in expanding K-pop into the Japanese market. BLACKPINK were celebrated for becoming global icons of the streaming era, achieving massive milestones on YouTube and Instagram. BIGBANG made their mark with self-produced hits such as “Lies” and “Fantastic Baby”, while Seo Taiji and Boys revolutionized Korean pop with bold experimentation and socially conscious lyrics. Girls’ Generation, with timeless hits like “Gee”, were recognized as the model of the multifaceted K-pop group, with each member succeeding individually across music, acting, and entertainment.
This project was curated by a committee of 50 industry professionals, including producers, songwriters, critics, and media figures, ensuring credibility and balance in selection. The first batch of honorees, revealed on October 2, included Kim Gun Mo, Kim Kwang Seok, Kim Min Ki, Kim Wan Sun, Kim Eana, Kim Chang Hwan, Kim Hyun Sik, Kim Hyung Suk, Na Hoon A, and TVXQ. The final 20 honorees will be revealed in two more stages, on October 16 and 23, through the Golden Disc Awards’ official website and social media.
Sources: Daum
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