South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) announced the winners and honorees for the prestigious 2024 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. 

The 2024 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony will be held at the National Theater of Korea on Oct. 31. 

The Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, which started in 2010 and is now in its 15th year, is the most prestigious government award in the field of popular culture and arts to enhance the social status and creative desire of popular culture and arts figures in various fields, including singers, actors, comedians, voice actors, scriptwriters, and performers, and to honor those who have contributed to the development of the popular culture and arts industry of South Korea.

The MCST selects award candidates through a public selection and expert recommendations, and comprehensively reviews various factors such as the candidates' period of training, domestic and international activities, and contribution to related industries and society. 

This year, 31 awardees will be honored at the 2024 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony: six for Order of Cultural Merit, seven for Presidential Commendation, eight for Prime Minister’s Commendation and 10 for the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation. 

The recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit include actor Shin Goo and actress Kang Boo-ja, who both will be awarded the Eungwan (Silver Crown), the highest honors to be given this year. 

Among the winners of the Presidential Commendation are “The Glory” actress Yeom Hye-ran, “Hospital Playlist” actor Jo Jung-suk. 

The recipients of the Prime Minister’s Commendation include actress Chun Woo-hee, actor Lee Je-hoon, and singer Jang Ki-ha. 

The winners of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation are actor-idol Cha Eun-woo, actresses Ahn Eun-jin and Go Min-si, singer Jannabi, pop rock band Day6 and “Squid Game” actress and model Jung Ho-yeon. 

Here are the winners of the 2024 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards: 

Order of Cultural Merit 

1. Shin-goo (actor) - Eungwan (Silver Crown) 

2. Kang Bu-ja (actress) - Eungwan (Silver Crown) 

3. Kim Chang-wan (singer and actor) - Bogwan (Precious Crown) 

4. Im Ki-hong (broadcast writer) - Bogwan (Precious Crown) 

5. Lee Moon-se (singer) - Okgwan (Jeweled Crown)

6. Choi Soo-jong (actor) - Hwagwan (Flower Crown)

Order of Cultural Merit awardees (clockwise from top left) Shin-goo, Kang Bu-ja, Kim Chang-wan, Im Ki-hong, Lee Moon-se and Choi Soo-jong (X, Instagram, Korea TV & Radio Writers Association) 

Presidential Commendation

1. Kim Mok-kyung - musician

2. Yeom Hye-ran - actress

3. Jo Jung-suk - actor

4. Hong Kwang-ho - musical actor

5. Kim Han-min - film director

6. Kim Do-hyeon - voice actor

7. Lee Tae-kyung - recording artist

Yeom Hye-ran  and Jo Jung-suk (Instagram)

Prime Minister's Commendation

1. Chun Woo-hee - actress

2. Lee Je-hoon, actor

3. Choi Jae-rim, musical actor

4. Jang Ki-ha - singer

5. Kim Young-jin - voice actor

6. Jang Jae-hyeon - film director

7. Kim Seong-su - music director

8. Kenzie - composer/lyricist

(From left) Lee Je-hoon, Chun Woo-hee and Jang Ki-ha (Instagram)

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation

1. Ahn Eun-jin - actress 

2. Cha Eun-woo - actor

3. Go Min-si - actress

4. Jannabi - singer

5. Day6 - singer

6. Silica Gel - singer

7. Yoon Sung-ho - comedian

8. Jung Ho-yeon - actress/model

9. Yoon Jong-ho - drama director

10. Jang Hyun-ki - performance producer

(Clockwise from top left) Go Min-si, Cha Eun-woo, Day6, Ahn Eun-jin, Jannabi and  Jung Ho-yeon (Instagram)