The K-pop world stood still on January 10, 2026. The 40th Golden Disc Awards (GDA) took over the massive Taipei Dome in Taiwan, and it was a night for the history books. This wasn’t just an anniversary; it was a cultural milestone. It marked the largest indoor K-pop gathering in Taiwan’s history. Over 40,000 fans packed the venue to witness a historic “Triple Daesang” night. Three of the industry’s biggest powerhouses—Jennie, Stray Kids, and G-Dragon—walked away with the biggest prizes.
The night was hosted by the reliable duo of Sung Si Kyung and actress Mun Ka Young. But the star power didn’t stop there. The red carpet felt like a prestige film festival. A-list presenters like Byeon Woo Seok, Song Joong Ki, and Ahn Hyo Seop were all in the building. From emotional speeches to death-defying stunts, the 2026 Golden Disc Awards highlights proved that K-pop is only getting bigger.
1. Jennie’s Historic “Artist of the Year” Win
Jennie officially made history in Taipei. She became the first recipient of the newly introduced “Artist of the Year” Daesang. This category is a game-changer. It focuses on overall cultural impact and global brand power, rather than just raw sales numbers. The official winners list confirms that this win solidifies her status as the ultimate global icon. It follows the massive success of her solo track “Like JENNIE,” which dominated the charts all year.
“This award belongs to my fans who have stood by me through every new beginning. I’ll continue to show you the most authentic version of Jennie.” — Jennie, Artist of the Year Acceptance Speech
2. G-Dragon’s “Accidental” Like Sends Shippers into a Frenzy
The internet went into a complete meltdown during the ceremony. Eagle-eyed fans noticed G-Dragon liked a viral clip of Jennie’s “Like JENNIE” performance on Instagram. The BIGBANG legend unliked the post within minutes. Still, it was too late. Screenshots immediately dominated the trending charts on X. The brief interaction sparked a massive wave of “shipping” theories and memes. It added a layer of social media chaos to an already high-stakes night.
3. Stray Kids’ Full Circle Moment with “KARMA”
One of the night’s most emotional segments belonged to Stray Kids. They accepted the Album Daesang for their record-breaking album KARMA. It was a poignant “full circle” moment for the group. This win came exactly seven years after they took home their first Rookie of the Year trophy at this same show. The members were visibly moved. Many were seen wiping away tears on stage. They reflected on their journey from “experimental” newcomers to the kings of physical sales.
Recent industry reports show that KARMA has been a commercial juggernaut. It cements their legacy as self-produced idols who never compromise their sound. And clearly, the fans agree.
4. LE SSERAFIM’s Viral Aerial Routine
LE SSERAFIM took “performance idol” status to a terrifying new level. Their stage left the entire Taipei Dome breathless. During “Hot,” Sakura actually rode a bicycle across a high-wire suspended high above the crowd. Then, the entire group followed up with a massive aerial silk routine. Clips of the transition into the dance break are currently taking over TikTok. Fans are already attempting to recreate the intricate choreography, though maybe without the 50-foot drop.
5. Bang Chan’s Defiant English Speech
During the group’s acceptance speech, leader Bang Chan took a moment for some real talk. He addressed the “noise music” critiques that have followed Stray Kids since debut. Speaking in English, he stated that their unique sound has finally been recognized at the highest level. The speech resonated deeply with STAYs worldwide. They viewed the Album Daesang as the ultimate vindication for the group’s self-produced discography. It was a bold move, but it worked.
6. Greg Hsu and TWS: The “OVERDRIVE” Aegyo Challenge
Taiwanese superstar Greg Hsu (Hsu Kuang-han) stole the show during an unexpected audience interaction. During TWS’s hit stage for “OVERDRIVE,” the camera panned to Greg in the crowd. He was sitting right between LE SSERAFIM’s Eunchae and Kazuha. The trio delighted the crowd by performing the viral “aegyo” dance challenge in perfect sync. It proved the actor is just as much of a K-pop fan as the rest of us. The clip is already being hailed as the “crossover of the year.”
7. CORTIS: The Five-Second Frozen Rookie Win
The rookie group CORTIS provided the most relatable moment of the evening. When they were announced as Rookie of the Year winners, they didn’t move. The members were so shocked that they completely froze for five seconds. They stood motionless in the artist area while the audience cheered. Their delayed reaction and the tearful huddle that followed became an instant meme. It trended globally as the most authentic “shocked” face of the awards season. They were truly stunned.
8. IVE’s High-Production “Rebel Heart” Stage
IVE proved they aren’t going anywhere. They delivered a cinematic performance of “Rebel Heart” that used dozens of backup dancers and intense pyrotechnics. But they didn’t just win on stage. They dominated the charts, securing multiple Bonsang wins for both Digital Song and Album categories. Their “Rebel Heart” stage is being called one of the most expensive productions in GDA history. Pinkvilla noted that the execution was flawless.
9. G-Dragon’s “Übermensch” Era Dominance
G-Dragon had been away from the GDA stage for 11 years. Still, he proved his “King of K-pop” title is untouchable. He won the Digital Song Daesang for “HOME SWEET HOME,” which features Taeyang and Daesung. His Übermensch era has seen incredible digital longevity. His performance was a masterclass in stage presence. It proved his influence transcends generations. He remains the blueprint for every soloist in the industry.
10. The “Jennie Effect” and izna’s Jeemin
A fan-cam of rookie idol Jeemin from izna went viral for all the right reasons. The camera caught her “pure fan-girl” expression while seeing Jennie sitting next to her. The clip highlights Jennie’s role as the “Idol of Idols.” Junior artists in the seating area were visibly starstruck by her choreography. The “Jennie Effect” was in full swing all night. In fact, nearly every rookie group was caught filming her performance on their phones.
2026 GDA Fast Facts: The Winners List
- Artist of the Year (Daesang): Jennie (BLACKPINK)
- Album of the Year (Daesang): Stray Kids – KARMA
- Digital Song of the Year (Daesang): G-Dragon – “HOME SWEET HOME (feat. Taeyang & Daesung)”
- Rookie of the Year: CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts
- Popularity Award: Jin (BTS), Hearts2Hearts
- Global Impact Award: Jennie
The Cultural Shift: What the 40th GDA Tells Us
The 40th Golden Disc Awards marked a major shift in the industry. We are now firmly in a “Self-Produced” era led by Stray Kids and G-Dragon. The new “Artist of the Year” award also suggests a change in priority. Major ceremonies are moving from pure sales to global brand power. Now, rumors of a BIGBANG world tour and Jennie’s solo tour are everywhere. This awards season has set a very high bar for the rest of 2026.
As the lights went down at the Taipei Dome, one thing was clear. The bridge between second-generation legends and modern leaders is stronger than ever. Fans can find more details on the winners and performance replays on Koreaboo and official GDA channels.
