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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Hallyuwood devider Kim Hae-sook, G-Dragon, Seventeen, Rosé, Lee Min-ho honored at 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards

Kim Hae-sook, G-Dragon, Seventeen, Rosé, Lee Min-ho honored at 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards

Published Oct 24, 2025 07:33 am
The winners of the 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards include (clockwise from top left) actress Kim Hae-sook, G-Dragon, Lee Byung-hun and Park Bo-young, Seventeen and Lee Min-ho (Photos: Instagram, screenshots from The K-pop video on YouTube)
The winners of the 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards include (clockwise from top left) actress Kim Hae-sook, G-Dragon, Lee Byung-hun and Park Bo-young, Seventeen and Lee Min-ho (Photos: Instagram, screenshots from The K-pop video on YouTube)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) of South Korea and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) honored 31 actors, singers, and other entertainment figures at the prestigious 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. 

The awarding ceremony was held on Oct. 23 at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul with actor Kim Min-kyu and announcer Park Sun-young as emcees. 

The Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, the highest government-level award in the field, recognized those who have contributed to the spread of the Korean Wave and the development of the industry.

A total of 31 individuals were honored this year coming from various fields and professions including drama, film, voice acting, comedians, K-pop, and choreography.

To select the award recipients, the MCST and KOCCA held a public contest for award recipients in the broadcasting, music, film, and performance fields through its official website starting in April. 

The awardees were then selected by a judging committee composed of experts in relevant fields who reviewed the period of service, the extent of their service, and their social contribution.

Actress Kim Hae-sook, 69, who recently played the role of the president of South Korea in the K-drama “Tempest,” received the Eungwan (Silver Crown) Order of Cultural Merit, the highest award this year. 

Actors Lee Byung-hun and Jeong Dong-hwan were given the Bogwan (Precious Crown) Order of Cultural Merit. 

Singer G-Dragon, comedian Jeon Yoo Sung and voice actor Bae Han-seong received the Okgwan (Jeweled Crown) Order of Cultural Merit. 

Other awardees include Lee Min-ho, Seventeen, ATEEZ, Rosé, TWICE, Kim Ji-won, and Byeon Woo-seok. 

G-Dragon (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
G-Dragon (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
Actress Kim Hae-sook (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
Actress Kim Hae-sook (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
Actress Kim Hae-sook during the press conference for
Actress Kim Hae-sook during the press conference for "Tempest" (Disney )
The 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards was held on Oct. 23 (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
The 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards was held on Oct. 23 (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
Lee Byung-hun (right) and Park Bo-young (Instagram)
Lee Byung-hun (right) and Park Bo-young (Instagram)

Here are the winners of the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards: 

Order of Cultural Merit 

1. Kim Hae-sook (actress) - Eungwan (Silver Crown) 

2. Lee Byung-hun (actor) - Bogwan (Precious Crown) 

3. Jeong Dong-hwan (actor) - Bogwan (Precious Crown) 

4. Jeon Yoo Sung (comedian) - Okgwan (Jeweled Crown)

5. Bae Han-seong (voice actor) - Okgwan (Jeweled Crown)

6. G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong) -  Okgwan (Jeweled Crown)

Presidential Commendation

1. Kim Mi-kyung (actor) 

2. Lee Min-ho (actor) 

3. Lee Jung-eun (actor) 

4. TVXQ (singer) 

5. Rosé (Park Chae-young) (singer) 

6. Seventeen (singer) 

7. Kim Eun-young (Kim Si-joong)  (voice actor) 

Lee Min-ho (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
Lee Min-ho (Screenshot from The K-pop video on YouTube)
Rosé (Instagram)
Rosé (Instagram)
Seventeen's Wonwoo and Jeonghan (X)
Seventeen's Wonwoo and Jeonghan (X)

Prime Minister's Commendation

1. Kim Ji-won (actor)

2. Kim Tae-ri (actor)

3. Park Bo-young (actor)

4. Park Hae-joon (actor)

5. Ju Ji -hoon (actor) 

6. ATEEZ (singer) 

7. TWICE (singer) 

8. Choi Hee-sun (guitarist)

ATEEZ (X)
ATEEZ (X)
TWICE (X)
TWICE (X)

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation

1. Byeon Woo-seok (actor)

2. Go Youn-jung (actor)

3. Ji Chang-wook (actor)

4. Choo Young-woo (actor)

5. RIIZE (singer)

6. Le Sserafim (singer) 

7. I-dle (singer)

8. ZEROBASEONE (singer) 

9. Lee Soo-ji (comedian)

10. BEBE (choreographer)

Byeon Woo-seok (Instagram)
Byeon Woo-seok (Instagram)
I-dle's Soyeon (X)
I-dle's Soyeon (X)
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