To wrap up the year, News1 surveyed 34 pop music experts, including executives and senior staff from major entertainment agencies. Based on the results released on December 20, G-Dragon received 11 out of 34 votes, securing first place as this year’s most outstanding artist.
A Year of Unmatched Achievements
G-Dragon’s selection reflects a year marked by simultaneous success across music, performance, exhibitions, and official recognition. In February, he released his third full-length album, Übermensch, showcasing his artistry as a solo musician.
The album set multiple records on Melon, surpassing 1 million streams within four hours of release—the fastest achievement by a solo artist—earning immediate induction into Melon’s “Millions Album” hall. Within 24 hours, the album accumulated 4.2 million streams, while its peak hourly streaming count reached 271,300, breaking existing solo artist records.
The title track “TOO BAD (feat. Anderson .Paak)” reached No.1 on Melon’s Top 100 chart within an hour, and more than eight tracks from the album simultaneously entered the Top 15—an unprecedented feat since the chart’s restructuring.
Global Tour and Institutional Recognition
G-Dragon’s momentum extended beyond charts. Beginning in March, he launched the Übermensch World Tour, performing 39 shows across 17 cities including Seoul, Tokyo, Manila, Osaka, Macau, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, and Los Angeles. The tour drew approximately 820,000 fans worldwide, reaffirming his global ticket power.
In October, G-Dragon received the Order of Cultural Merit (Ok-Gwan) at the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, recognizing his contribution to the global spread of Korean pop culture. Later in the year, he performed at the cultural gala following the 2025 APEC Leaders’ Summit, captivating international dignitaries.
At the 2025 MAMA Awards in November, he was honored with Artist of the Year, and in December, he was named to the Hypebeast 100, joining global icons such as Pharrell Williams, Travis Scott, and A$AP Rocky—solidifying his influence across fashion and culture.
Industry Praise
One industry insider commented, “His long hiatus felt irrelevant. He stood out not just in music, but in fashion, trends, and cultural impact.” Another added, “He dominated music, performance, fashion, and even AI-driven creativity—ending the year at its peak with his concerts.”
Following closely behind was Stray Kids, who placed second with 10 votes. Experts praised the group for completing their largest world tour to date, ranking in Billboard’s Top 10 Global Tours of 2025, and achieving eight consecutive No.1 albums on the Billboard 200.
Third place went to BLACKPINK’s Rosé, who received three votes for her sustained global chart success and strong individual brand power alongside group activities.
Other artists mentioned as “Best Singer of the Year” included HUNTR/X, BLACKPINK, BIBI, DAY6, IVE, IU, aespa, BTS’s Jungkook, and KATSEYE, each receiving one vote.
With a full-length album, record-breaking charts, a massive world tour, government honors, and major year-end awards all converging in one year, G-Dragon’s 2025 stood as a rare, all-encompassing peak—one that industry professionals overwhelmingly agreed defined the year in K-pop.
Sources: Daum
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