INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: ATEEZ performs at The Forum on January 30, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
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The 35th Seoul Music Awards took place June 20 at Inspire Arena in Incheon, bringing together some of K-pop’s biggest names for one of the industry’s most celebrated annual ceremonies.
Hosted by Super Junior’s Leeteuk, KiiiKiii’s Leesol and ZEROBASEONE’s Park Gun-wook, the ceremony saw KQ Entertainment’s ATEEZ taking home the Daesang, while KOZ Entertainment’s BOYNEXTDOOR emerged with the broadest reach of the night, winning across four separate categories.
ATEEZ Wins The Daesang
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 19: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) San, Choi Jong-ho, Kang Yeo-sang, Jeong Yun-ho, Wooyoung, Song Min-gi, Seonghwa, and Song Min-gi of ATEEZ perform at the Sahara Tent during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 19, 2024 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
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ATEEZ claimed the Daesang, the Seoul Music Awards’ grand prize and the most prestigious individual honour the ceremony bestows, capping a significant year for the eight-member group. The win places them among an elite group of past Daesang recipients that includes BTS, EXO, Girls’ Generation, and Super Junior, continuing a tradition that dates back to the ceremony’s founding in 1990.
BOYNEXTDOOR’s Big Night At The Seoul Music Awards
OSAKA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 22: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Taesan, Jaehyun, Woonhak, Leehan, Sungho and Riwoo of boy band BOYNEXTDOOR arrive at the 2024 MAMA Awards – Chapter 1 at Kyocera Dome on November 22, 2024 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Christopher Jue/Getty Images)
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BOYNEXTDOOR had the broadest reach of any act at this year’s ceremony, picking up wins in World Best Artist, Best Album, and R&B/Hip Hop Award, while also taking a Bonsang of their own. LE SSERAFIM almost matched that breadth, winning Best Digital Song, sharing World Best Artist honours with BOYNEXTDOOR, and securing a Bonsang. ZEROBASEONE picked up wins across Bonsang, Best Group, Best Album, and the OST Award for member Sung Hanbin, continuing the group’s strong run since debut.
Standout Storylines From The Seoul Music Awards
Trot singer Lee Chan-won’s remarkable sweep across four categories — Best Artist, Trot Award, Popularity Award, and a Bonsang — reflected his crossover appeal beyond trot’s traditional audience.
BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA – JANUARY 10: Singer Lee Chan-won attends the Circle Chart Music Awards 2024 on January 10, 2024 in Busan, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
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Veteran nineties group Roo’ra received the Legend Award, while BTS took the Hallyu Special Award, continuing their streak as the awards’ most decorated group.
After a close fan-voting race, TXT’s Yeonjun took the K-Pop World Choice Solo award, while Super Junior won over BTS for the corresponding group award. EXO’s “The First Snow” earned the Golden Revival Award alongside member D.O.‘s New Icon Award, together rounding out a night that balanced recognition for established veterans against the ceremony’s traditional rookie and newcomer categories.
35th Seoul Music Awards: Full Winners List
Daesang (Grand Prize): ATEEZ
Bonsang: KiiiKiii, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, Hearts2Hearts, WJSN’s Dayoung, ZEROBASEONE, Kwon Eun-bi, LE SSERAFIM, BOYNEXTDOOR, Lee Chan-won, ATEEZ
SMA Best Artist Award: Lee Chan-won
World Best Artist Award: LE SSERAFIM, BOYNEXTDOOR
Best Group: ZEROBASEONE
Best Solo: WJSN’s Dayoung
Best Album: ZEROBASEONE, BOYNEXTDOOR
Best Digital Song: LE SSERAFIM ft. j-hope, “Spaghetti”
Rookie Awards: idntt, SAY MY NAME, MODYSSEY, idid, CLOSE YOUR EYES, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, AHOF
K-Pop World Choice (Group): Super Junior
K-Pop World Choice (Solo): TXT’s Yeonjun
Best Performance Award: izna, xikers
Band Award: Dragon Pony
Rock/Ballad Award: HANRORO
Trot Award: Lee Chan-won
OST Award: ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin, “You Are Spring” from Spring Fever
R&B/Hip Hop Award: BOYNEXTDOOR
Legend Award: Roo’ra
Hallyu Special Award: BTS
Golden Revival Award: EXO, “The First Snow”
New Icon Award: Doh Kyungsoo (EXO’s D.O.)
Seoul Music Awards Popularity Award: Lee Chan-won