Blackpink becomes first K-pop girl group to receive Jade Crown Cultural Medal

Blackpink has become the first K-pop girl group to receive the Jade Crown Cultural Medal, marking the group's 10th debut anniversary.

The group received the honor Thursday at the 17th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards ceremony, held at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency, the Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards is the government's highest honor in the popular culture and arts sector. Candidates are identified through public nominations and expert recommendations, with the final decoration level determined through a comprehensive review of activity length, performance record and social contribution.

The Cultural Medal is divided into five grades: Gold Crown, Silver Crown, Bronze Crown, Jade Crown and Flower Crown. The Jade Crown received by Blackpink is the fourth grade — one step above the fifth-grade Flower Crown awarded to BTS in 2018, when the idol group became the first and youngest ever to receive a Cultural Medal. It is the same grade received by G-Dragon last year. Rosé, who received a presidential commendation at the same ceremony last year, has now received a medal just one year later.

Blackpink, which debuted in August 2016, was recognized for contributing to the spread of hallyu through both group and solo activities on the world stage. With their second studio album "BORN PINK" in 2022, the group simultaneously topped the US Billboard 200 and the UK Official Albums Chart, setting a record as the first Asian female artists to do so. In February this year, Blackpink became the first music artists in the world to surpass 100 million YouTube subscribers.

Through agency YG Entertainment, Blackpink said the group was "happy and honored to receive this meaningful Cultural Medal," adding: "We sincerely thank the public who have loved our music for so long and our Blinks (fandom name) who have always cheered us on. We will continue to strive to be artists who bring comfort and inspiration through good music."

NMIXX and Enhypen received commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.

Through agency JYP Entertainment, NMIXX said: "We are sincerely grateful for this meaningful award. It feels even more special to be recognized alongside so many people who illuminate popular culture. We again thank our Nswers (fandom name: NSWER) and the public for their unwavering love, and we will do our best to repay them with great music and performances." Enhypen, through agency Belift Lab, said the group was "overjoyed to receive this prestigious award," crediting "our Engenes (ENGENE, fandom name) who have enjoyed our music and performances with us, and everyone who has shown love for popular culture and the arts." The group added it would "strive to contribute to the development of Korean popular culture through diverse music and activities."

At this year's ceremony, the late Shin Hae-chul — known by the nickname "Demon King" and honored on the 12th anniversary of his death — received the Silver Crown Cultural Medal. Singer Han Young-ae, voice actor Park Young-nam, jazz pianist Shin Kwan-ung, Seensee Company producer Park Myung-sung and broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk each received the Bronze Crown Cultural Medal. Director Jang Hang-jun of "The King and the Clown" and actor Yoo Hae-jin received presidential commendations, while singer Lee Jae and pansori performer Lee Ja-ram received prime minister commendations. A total of 36 individuals and groups were honored this year: 10 Cultural Medal recipients, seven presidential commendation recipients, eight prime minister commendation recipients and 11 recipients of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism commendation.