KPOP DISCOVER

K-pop glossary

Artist of the Year

An award for the most successful singer or group of the year, usually a ceremony's top honor.

Category: Awards

Last updated

Meaning

Artist of the Year goes to the act that defined the year, and at most ceremonies it is one of the top honors. The name varies: Artist of the Year at MAMA AWARDS, 올해의 아티스트 at the Melon Music Awards, Artist Daesang at the Golden Disc Awards and Grand Artist at the Korea Grand Music Awards. In the 2025 season, G-Dragon won it at both MAMA and MMA, and JENNIE took it at the 40th Golden Disc Awards. A shared name does not guarantee the same status: The Fact Music Awards gave its "Artist of the Year" to eleven acts in 2026.

Achievements

9 recordsMost recent ceremony first, then by category

Checked

Coverage 2023-09-01 – 2026-09-25
40th Golden Disc AwardsJENNIEArtist Daesang (Artist of the Year)event-api.hll.kr
MMA2025 (17th)G-DragonArtist of the Yearwww.xportsnews.com
2025 MAMA AWARDSG-DragonVISA ARTIST OF THE YEARwww.cjenm.com
2nd Korea Grand Music AwardsATEEZGrand Artistkgma-is.com
MMA2024 (16th)aespaArtist of the Yearwww.xportsnews.com
2024 MAMA AWARDSSEVENTEENVISA ARTIST OF THE YEARwww.cjenm.com
1st Korea Grand Music AwardsNewJeansGrand Artistkgma-is.com
MMA2023 (15th)NewJeansArtist of the Yearwww.xportsnews.com
2023 MAMA AWARDSNewJeansArtist of the Yearwww.cjenm.com

Usage

Used to crown the act of the year. Give the ceremony and its official category name.

Examples

  • G-Dragon — Won Visa Artist of the Year at the 2025 MAMA AWARDS and Artist of the Year at MMA2025.
  • JENNIE — Won the Artist Daesang at the 40th Golden Disc Awards.

In context

Related pagesArtists Find a termBack to glossary

Sources