Aespa wins big at the 2025 Korean Music Awards; G-Dragon takes the top hip-hop honor

The 22nd Korean Music Awards were announced on February 27, celebrating the best in South Korean music. Unlike many other award shows, this event focuses on artistic quality rather than sales numbers. KMAs' 22nd annual ceremony honoured a plethora of applause-worthy artists releasing diverse discographies. Accordingly, the girl group Aespa stood out as the biggest winners of the night, taking home three major awards. Meanwhile, G-Dragon from BIGBANG made a strong comeback by winning in the hip-hop category.

Aespa’s hit song Supernova won both Song of the Year and Best K-Pop Song, while their album Armageddon was named Best K-Pop Album. The group faced tough competition from artists like BLACKPINK’s Rosé, IU, and ILLIT but managed to dominate the K-pop category.

Lee Seung Yoon was recognized as Artist of the Year, and his song Waterfall earned him the award for Best Modern Rock Song. Rising artist Sanmanhan was named Rookie of the Year, marking a significant moment in his growing career.

The award for Album of the Year went to indie group Danpyunsun and the Moments Ensemble for Hail to the Music. The group had received multiple nominations, and this win highlighted their impact on the indie music scene.

G-Dragon, who is known as one of the biggest names in K-pop and hip-hop, won Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song for POWER. His win showed that he still has a strong presence in the industry despite taking a break in recent years. Meanwhile, singer BIBI took home the award for Best Pop Song for her track Bam Yang Gang.

The awards also recognized legendary composer Lee Ho Jun with an Honorary Award for his contributions to music, and LIVE CLUB DAY received the Committee’s Special Award.

The Korean Music Awards have gained a reputation for focusing on musical quality rather than just commercial success. By honoring a mix of mainstream and independent artists, the event continues to highlight creativity and talent in the Korean music industry.