The '2026 23rd Korean Music Awards' (KMA) with Kakao Creative Foundation (hosted by the Korean Music Awards Selection Committee, supported by Kakao Creative Foundation, Melon, Musinsa Garage, 29CM STAGE, DAZED, Marshall, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korea Creative Content Agency) was held in Seoul on the evening of February 26.
Celebrating its 23rd year, the KMA honored outstanding achievements in South Korea’s music scene. The night’s major winners included:
- Album of the Year: CHUDAHYE CHAGIS – 'SOSUMINJOK'
- Song of the Year: Lee Chanhyuk – "Endangered Love"
- Musician of the Year (with DAZED): Hanroro
- Rookie of the Year (with Kakao Creative Foundation): Woo Huijun
The ceremony featured several memorable moments. Lee Seung Yoon humorously announced his own award, while Ban Jae Hyun of the band baan won again, marking a notable return. Lee Chanhyuk also delivered his acceptance speech through a witty video.
In the Rap & Hip-Hop category, Sik-K and Lil Moshpit swept both the album and song awards, three years after Nucksal x Cadejo achieved the same feat, demonstrating a winning formula for producer-rapper collaborations. Emotional moments were shared as KIRARA and MELKI, a mentor and student, both won in their respective electronic music categories.
The event, regarded as a “holiday” for musicians, saw participation from nearly all nominees and included performances such as Lee Seung Yoon’s celebratory stage, his first in seven years since the '16th KMA.' The ceremony was also streamed via the Melon app, and select rookie nominees identified by the committee as needing support were offered programs from the Kakao Creative Foundation and Melon.
2026 23rd KMA Winners
- Album of the Year: CHUDAHYE CHAGIS – 'SOSUMINJOK'
- Song of the Year: Lee Chanhyuk – "Endangered Love"
- Musician of the Year (with DAZED): Hanroro
- Rookie of the Year (with Kakao Creative Foundation): Woo Huijun
- Best Rock Album: Wah Wah Wah & playbook – 'UBUBU'
- Best Rock Song: Lee Seung Yoon – "PunKanon"
- Best Alternative Rock Album: Shin In Ryu – 'Shining Strike'
- Best Alternative Rock Song: Woo Huijun – "Spacious House"
- Best Metal/Hardcore Album: baan – 'neumann'
- Best Rap & Hip-Hop Album: Sik-K & Lil Moshpit – 'K-FLIP+'
- Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song: Sik-K & Lil Moshpit – "LOV3 (feat. Bryan Chase & Okasian)"
- Best R&B & Soul Album: Yoon Da Hye – 'King of Ants'
- Best R&B & Soul Song: CHUDAHYE CHAGIS – "Heosse!"
- Best Pop Album: Lee Chanhyuk – 'EROS'
- Best Pop Song: Lee Chanhyuk – "Endangered Love"
- Best K-Pop Album: Jennie – 'Ruby'
- Best K-Pop Song: Jennie – "Like Jennie"
- Best Electronic Album: KIRARA – 'Kirara'
- Best Electronic Song: MELKI – "Body Break"
- Best Folk Album: Kwon Tree – 'The Fragrance of Life'
- Best Folk Song: Kwon Tree – "Unknowingly, So Did I"
- Best Jazz Vocal Album: Malo – 'Malo Live at Muddy'
- Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Lim Mijung – 'Impromptu'
- Best Global Contemporary Album: Gray by Silver – 'Time of Tree'
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Peregrine Falcon
Fans can watch detailed acceptance speeches and performances on the Korean Music Awards YouTube channel, and see the committee’s selection rationale on the official KMA website.
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