The Winners of the Korean Grand Music Awards (KGMA) 2024
Today, the first winners of the KGMA 2024 were announced on Day 1, titled “Artist Day”, and it was an evening filled with unforgettable moments and well-deserved recognitions.
November 16, 2024, marked a milestone in the world of Korean music as the first-ever Korean Grand Music Awards (KGMA) were held at the Inspire Arena in Incheon. This historic event celebrated the incredible talent of South Korean artists, with a wide range of categories recognizing their contributions to various music genres.
The first day of the awards, titled “Artist Day”, was packed with exciting moments as some of the biggest names in Korean music were honored for their achievements.
Unlike other major music awards that often emphasize fan votes or commercial sales, the KGMA focuses on musical quality and the long-term influence of an artist or work. The awards reflect the diversity of the Korean music scene, celebrating both established icons and up-and-coming talent who are shaping the future of music in Korea and abroad. Let us look at the winners of 2024.
The Winners of the Korean Grand Music Awards (KGMA) 2024 (Day 1)
The first round of awards for KGMA 2024 has been announced, and the results are already setting the stage for an unforgettable two-day celebration. Here is the full list of winners for Day 1 of the 2024 Korean Grand Music Awards:
Best Artist
- Kyunsoo
- Zerobaseone
- STAYC
- P1Harmony
- Taemin
- Young Tak
- NewJeans
- Jeong Dong-won
- (G)I-DLE
- Taemin
Best Hip-Hop Artist
- Lee Young Ji
Best Band
- QWER
IS Rising Star
- JD1
- Jeong Dong-won
Best R&B
- EXO’s Kyungsoo
- BIBI
Best O.S.T. (Original Soundtrack)
- Yoo Hwe Seung for “Lovely Runner” OST
Best Rock Ballad
- Lee Mujin
Lotte Calivers Transcendence Award
- Youngtak
Grand Honor’s Choice
- ZEROBASEONE
Best Solo Artist
- Taemin
Legendary Artist Award
- TVXQ
Best Memory
- Lee Mujin
Grand Record
- (G)I-DLE
Grand Artist
- NewJeans
Best Popularity
- Taemin
Best Selling Album
- SEVENTEEN
Best Adult Contemporary Award
- Youngtak
The Winners of the Korean Grand Music Awards (KGMA) 2024 (Day 2)
Best Songs
Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN, NCT DREAM, Im Young Woong, TREASURE, ATEEZ
Best Artist
- RIIZE, aespa, Lee Chan Won, DAY6
Most Streamed Song
- aespa – Supernova
Trend of the Year
- BTS V, UNIS
Fan Vote Rookie
- RIIZE
IS Rookie Award
- UNIS
- NOWADAYS
IS Rising Star
- NCT WICH
- FIFTY FIFTY
Photogenic Award
- CLASS
Best Solo Artist
- Yuqi
Best K-pop Foreign Artist
- J01
- NiziU
Best Band
- DAY6
Best Adult Contemporary
- Song Ga In
Grand Honor’s Choice
- ATEEZ
- aespa
Best Stage
- TREASURE
Best Producer
- SM’s Tak Youngjun
Grand Performer
- DAY6
Grand Song
- aespa
Best Group
- RIIZE
The first-ever KGMA ceremony in 1986 was a significant event in the Korean music industry, and each subsequent year has built on that tradition. Today, the 2024 edition is no different, with some of the biggest stars in K-pop and Korean music taking home prestigious awards. Hosted by NewJeans’ Hanni and actress Nam Ji Hyun, the event was filled with energy, emotion, and some truly touching moments as the winners accepted their awards.
The evening highlighted the diversity of Korean music, with artists from across genres recognized for their outstanding achievements. From Best Hip-Hop to Best Band and Best R&B, the KGMA 2024 has shown that South Korean music continues to thrive in every corner of the industry.
Some major highlights from Day 1 include NewJeans winning the prestigious Grand Artist Award, Taemin being named Best Solo Artist and Best Popularity, and Youngtak taking home both the Lotte Calivers Transcendence Award and the Best Adult Contemporary Award. EXO’s Kyungsoo and BIBI earned the Best R&B award, while the Legendary Artist Award was awarded to TVXQ, a testament to their enduring influence on K-pop.
Other notable wins included (G)I-DLE, who won the Grand Record, and SEVENTEEN, who took home the Best Selling Album award, proving their continued success on the global stage.
