Golden Disc Awards 2026 Winners: Stray Kids, G-Dragon, Jennie Win Grand Prizes at Historic 40th Ceremony
The 40th Golden Disc Awards crowned Stray Kids, G-Dragon, and Jennie as 2026's biggest winners on January 10 at Taipei Dome, marking the first time three grand prizes were awarded at the prestigious ceremony.
Three Grand Prize Winners at Milestone 40th Ceremony
Stray Kids won Album of the Year for KARMA, their fourth studio album that sold over 3 million copies in its first week-making it 2025's only triple million seller. The album also debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200, giving the group their seventh consecutive chart-topper.
G-Dragon claimed Song of the Year for "HOME SWEET HOME," featuring Big Bang members Taeyang and Daesung. Released November 22, 2024, the track topped Korea's Circle Digital Chart and marked his first solo grand prize at Golden Disc after winning Best Digital Song in 2013 for "Crayon."
Jennie took home the newly created Artist of the Year award, introduced for the ceremony's 40th anniversary. Her solo album Ruby (released March 7, 2025) and hit single "like JENNIE" drove the win, with Ruby selling one million copies globally.
Complete 2026 Golden Disc Winners
Grand Prizes (Daesang):
- Album: Stray Kids - KARMA
- Song: G-Dragon - "HOME SWEET HOME" (feat. Taeyang, Daesung)
- Artist: Jennie
Best Album (10 winners): ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, G-Dragon, IVE, NCT WISH, RIIZE, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, TXT, ZEROBASEONE
Best Digital Song (10 winners): aespa, ALLDAY PROJECT, BLACKPINK, BOYNEXTDOOR, G-Dragon, IVE, Jennie, LE SSERAFIM, Rosé, ZO ZAZZ
Rookie of the Year: ALLDAY PROJECT, CORTIS
Special Awards:
- Most Popular (Upbit): Jin (BTS), Hearts2Hearts
- Best Group: MONSTA X
- Best Performance: izna, TWS
- Naver AI Choice: BOYNEXTDOOR
- Next Generation: KiiiKiii
- Golden Choice: ARrC, CLOSE YOUR EYES
- Cosmopolitan Artist: IVE
- Global Impact Award: Jennie
Jennie's Triple Crown
Jennie collected three trophies total-Artist of the Year (Daesang), Best Digital Song for "like JENNIE" as a solo artist, and another Best Digital Song as a BLACKPINK member for "JUMP." She also received the Global Impact Award.
Stray Kids' Seven-Year Journey
Seven years after winning Best New Artist at the 33rd Golden Disc Awards in 2019, Stray Kids captured their first grand prize. KARMA, released August 22, 2025, made history as the first album to debut at No. 1 on Billboard 200 among the group's seven consecutive chart-toppers-a 70-year Billboard record.
G-Dragon's Return After 12 Years
G-Dragon's triple crown-Song of the Year, Best Digital Song, and Best Album for Übermensch-marked his comeback after a 12-year gap since his 2013 album Coup d'Etat. Übermensch, released February 25, 2025, was his first studio album under his own label Galaxy Corporation.
40th Anniversary Highlights
The ceremony featured special "Golden Disc Powerhouse 40" performances honoring K-pop's legacy. TWS covered BTS's "Spring Day," izna performed Wonder Girls' "Be My Baby," and ATEEZ's Jongho delivered Kim Kwang Seok's "Those Days."
For the first time in 14 years, Golden Disc unveiled redesigned trophies-fully golden for grand prize winners and golden discs on black backgrounds for other categories.
Hosted by Sung Si-kyung and Moon Ga-young, the awards honored music released between November 2024 and October 2025. This marked the seventh time the ceremony was held outside South Korea.
IVE made history winning Best Album and Best Digital Song for three consecutive years (2024-2026), while MONSTA X earned Best Group for their full-group comeback performance.
