Skip to main content

40th Golden Disc Awards Unveils Extensive Rookie Nominee List

By Published

The 40th Golden Disc Awards (GDA) organizing committee officially announced the nominees for its major categories on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.

This landmark ceremony, celebrating 40 years of honoring achievements in Korean popular music, is set to take place at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan on January 10, 2026.

The list of nominees for the highly anticipated Rookie Artist of the Year award features twelve promising new acts vying for the prestigious honor. The official nominees are:

• AHOF

• ALLDAY PROJECTS

• CLOSE YOUR EYES

• CORTIS

• IDID

• Hearts2Hearts

• idntt

• izna

• KickFlip

• KiiiKiii

• Neour A

• ZO ZAZZ

A key highlight noted by fans and the committee is the dual nomination for the act Hearts2Hearts, who also received a nod in one of the digital song categories.

Winners for the rookie category are determined by a combination of verified digital music performance (downloads and streaming) and physical album sales data spanning from November 2024 to late October 2025, ensuring a fair and objective evaluation.

The grand event will be hosted by singer Sung Si Kyung and actress Moon Ka Young, marking their second consecutive year as co-MCs for the ceremony.

Other major categories for the 40th GDA include nominations for established K-pop powerhouses like aespa, SEVENTEEN, and soloists such as Jennie and Jin, all of whom have demonstrated significant commercial success during the eligibility period.

The full list of nominees across all categories and detailed information regarding the selection process is available on the Golden Disc Awards' official website and social media channels.

Read also:ENHYPEN's Lee Heeseung Named First Male Solo Ambassador for Qrsessed Contact Lenses


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

RELATED ARTICLES

Hyunjin, Jisoo, and Byeon Woo-seok Shine at Cartier's Seoul Party

By Published
Stray Kids’ Hyunjin and BLACKPINK’s Jisoo captivated attendees at an exclusive event held at Maison Cheongdam . The two stars, alongside actor Byeon Woo-seok , showcased their impeccable style in elegant black ensembles, perfectly complementing the luxurious atmosphere of the soirée on Tuesday night. The chic venue buzzed with excitement, filled with industry insiders, fashion aficionados, and fans eager to see their favorite stars. The occasion not only celebrated the latest in fashion but also highlighted Hyunjin's role as a Cartier ambassador, a title that has placed him at the forefront of contemporary luxury. Hyunjin , whose charisma has already made waves in the K-pop scene, effortlessly mingled with guests, posing for photos and sharing anecdotes as he sipped on a vibrant red cocktail adorned with a subtle panther motif—a nod to Cartier's iconic branding. His radiant presence and graceful demeanor contributed to an atmosphere of glamour, making the event o...
Post a Comment
Read full article »

K-Pop Community Mobilizes in Solidarity and Support Following Deadly Hong Kong Fire Ahead of 2025 MAMA Awards

By Published
November 29, 2025  In a powerful display of compassion, South Korea’s K-pop industry has swiftly rallied to support victims of the catastrophic apartment fire that struck Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on November 25, claiming at least 44 lives and leaving dozens injured. As the city prepares to host the prestigious 2025 MAMA Awards this weekend (November 29–30) at Kai Tak Sports Park – located just minutes from the tragedy site – major entertainment agencies and artists have announced significant donations and gestures of respect, transforming what was planned as a celebratory weekend into one marked by mourning and unity. Immediate Response from Major Agencies  SM Entertainment became the first agency to announce a donation, pledging HK$1 million (approximately US$128,000 ) to the Hong Kong Red Cross on November 27. The agency statement read: “ Our deepest condolences go out to the victims and their families affected by the tragic fire in Tai Po ....
Post a Comment
Read full article »

ENHYPEN Secures Fifth Consecutive Fans' Choice Award at 2025 MAMA

By Published
K-pop sensation  ENHYPEN  has made history by winning their fifth consecutive Worldwide Fans' Choice Top 10 Bonsang at the 2025 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) in Hong Kong on Friday, November 28, 2025. The ceremony is proceeding as planned, with a moment of silence observed and donations committed to victims of a recent local fire tragedy, while maintaining a restrained production out of respect. The award, which is determined by fan votes, holds significant meaning for the group and their dedicated fanbase, known as ENGENE . In their acceptance speech at the Kai Tak Stadium, the members expressed their joy and gratitude for the continuous support. This win solidifies their position as a global fan favorite in the competitive K-pop landscape. In addition to the Fans' Choice Bonsang, ENHYPEN also received the Telasa Favorite Global Artist award. The group was also reported to have won other awards this year at the event, includi...
Post a Comment
Read full article »

Jungkook Becomes First K-Pop Soloist in History to Surpass 10 Billion Spotify Streams

By Published
BTS member Jungkook has cemented his status as the undisputed king of global streaming today as Spotify officially confirmed that the 28-year-old singer has become the first K-pop solo artist — and the fastest Asian soloist ever — to amass 10 billion cumulative streams across all credits on the platform. The milestone was reached at approximately 11:47 a.m. KST when combined streams of Jungkook’s discography crossed the 10-billion mark, just 869 days after the release of his debut solo single “ Seven (feat. Latto )” on July 14, 2023. BigHit Music released a brief  statement celebrating the achievement: “ We sincerely thank global ARMY and all listeners who have shown endless love to Jungkook’s music. Reaching 10 billion streams as a Korean solo artist is an unprecedented feat, and we are deeply proud of Jungkook’s continued influence on the world stage.” Breakdown of the Historic 10 Billion “Seven (feat. Latto)” – 2.61 billion streams (highest-streamed song by any K-...
Post a Comment
Read full article »

ALPHA DRIVE ONE Opens 2025 MAMA Awards With High-Impact ‘FORMULA’ Debut

By Published
ALPHA DRIVE ONE made a powerful first impression at the 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong, taking the global stage by storm as the event’s official opening act. The rookie group performed their upcoming pre-debut single “ FORMULA ”, unveiling it for the first time in front of a live audience on Friday night. The members appeared in sharp, futuristic styling complemented by geometric LED backdrops that pulsed and shifted throughout the performance. Their stage combined English and Korean lyrics, high-tempo choreography, and synchronized formations, showcasing a level of precision that immediately captured viewers’ attention. The performance served as an advance preview of “ FORMULA ,” which is scheduled for release on December 3, ahead of the group’s full debut planned for early 2026. Mnet labeled the stage “ FIRST ACT: FORMULA ,” a title highlighting the group’s confident presence and the symbolic beginning of their journey in the industry...
Post a Comment
Read full article »