South Korean music award
The Korean Music Awards is an annual South Korean music awards show that honors both mainstream and underground musical artists from a variety of genres.[ 1] Unlike other major South Korean music awards, which largely rely on record sales to determine winners, the Korean Music Awards distributes awards based on the recommendations of a panel of judges consisting of music critics, radio show producers, academics, and other professionals within the industry. The first Korean Music Awards was held in 2004.[ 2]
Kiha & The Faces is the only artist to win all three Grand Prizes (Musician, Album & Song of the Year.) The band is also the most decorated artist in KMA history with 7 awards.
6-time award winner BTS made history in 2019 by becoming the first artist to win Musician of the Year two years in a row. At the 18th Awards ceremony, they became the first artist to win Song of the Year twice.
Categories
The event currently has approximately 20 categories, including the Musician of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and genre awards in pop , rock , modern rock , metal & hardcore , folk , dance & electronic , hip hop , R&B & soul , and jazz & crossover music .[ 3]
Musician of the Year (Grand Prize)
Note : The award for Musician of the Year was divided into Male, Female and Group awards from 2004 to 2007.
Album of the Year (Grand Prize)
Bout
Year
Winner
Album
18th
2021
Jeongmilla
CheongPa Sonata
17th
2020
Baek Yerin
Our Love Is Great
16th
2019
Jang Pil-Soon
Soony Eight:소길花
15th
2018
Kang Tae-gu
bleu
14th
2017
Jo Dong-jin
As A Tree
13th
2016
E Sens
The Anecdote
12th
2015
Loro's
W.A.N.D.Y
11th
2014
Yoon Young-bae
Dangerous World
10th
2013
3rd Line Butterfly
Dreamtalk
9th
2012
Kiha & The Faces
Kiha & The Faces
8th
2011
Garion
Garion 2
7th
2010
Seoul Electric Band
Life Is Strange
6th
2009
Sister's Barbershop
Most Ordinary Existence
5th
2008
Lee Juck
Songs Made of Wood
4th
2007
Swallow
Aresco
3rd
2006
Second Moon
Second Moon
2nd
2005
My Aunt Mary
Just Pop
1st
2004
The The
The The Band
Song of the Year (Grand Prize)
Rookie of the Year
Bout
Year
Winners
18th
2021
Meaningful Stone
17th
2020
sogumm
16th
2019
Airy
15th
2018
Se So Neon
14th
2017
Silica Gel
13th
2016
Hyukoh
12th
2015
Kim Sa-wol x Kim Hae-won
11th
2014
Rock 'n Roll Radio
10th
2013
404
9th
2012
Bye Bye Bad Man
8th
2011
Gate Flowers
7th
2010
Guckkasten , Apollo 18
6th
2009
Loro's
5th
2008
Younha
4th
2007
The Mustangs
3rd
2006
Second Moon , Sogyumo Acacia Band
2nd
2005
MOT
1st
2004
Jeong Jae-il
Genre Awards
Best Pop Album
Best Pop Song
Best Rock Album
Bout
Year
Winner
Album
18th
2021
ABTB
Daydream
17th
2020
Jambinai
ONDA
16th
2019
Life and Time
Age
15th
2018
Lowdown 30
B
14th
2017
ABTB
Attraction Between Two Bodies
13th
2016
The Monotones
Into The Night
12th
2015
Danpyunsun and the Sailors
Animal
11th
2014
Yellow Monsters
Red Flag
10th
2013
Jung Cha-shik
Turbulent Modern Times
9th
2012
Kiha & The Faces
Kiha & The Faces
8th
2011
Crash
The Paragon of Animals
7th
2010
Seoul Electronic Band
Life Is Strange
6th
2009
Galaxy Express
Noise On Fire
5th
2008
Hollow Jan
Rough Draft In Progress
4th
2007
The Mustangs
The Mustangs
3rd
2006
Black Hole
Hero
2nd
2005
Vassline
Blood of Immortality
1st
2004
Cocore
Super Stars
Best Rock Song
Bout
Year
Winner
Song
18th
2021
ABTB (Feat. YoonChul Shin)
"Daydream"
17th
2020
Jambinai
"ONDA"
16th
2019
Life and Time
"Jamsugyo"
15th
2018
Se So Neon
"The Wave"
14th
2017
Jun Bum Sun And The Yangbans
"Revolution"
13th
2016
Lowdown 30
"More Burning"
12th
2015
Asian Chairshot
"Haeya"
11th
2014
Yellow Monsters
“Red Flag”
10th
2013
Jung Cha-shik
“Street Musician”
9th
2012
Kiha & The Faces
"That Kind of Relationship"
8th
2011
Gate Flowers
"Reserves"
7th
2010
Guckkasten
"Mirror"
6th
2009
Kiha & The Faces
"Cheap Coffee"
5th
2008
Mary Epic
"Can't be Happy Without You"
4th
2007
Strikers
"Turn Back Time"
3rd
2006
Black Hole
"Life"
Best Modern Rock Album
Bout
Year
Winner
Album
18th
2021
Jo Dongik
Blue Pillow
17th
2020
The Black Skirts
THIRSTY
16th
2019
Say Sue Me
Where We Were Together
15th
2018
Hyukoh
23
14th
2017
Wings of the ISANG
Stream of Consciousness
13th
2016
The Koxx
The New Normal
12th
2015
Loro's
W.A.N.D.Y
11th
2014
Yoon Young-bae
Dangerous World
10th
2013
3rd Line Butterfly
Dreamtalk
9th
2012
Lee Seung-yeol
Why We Fail
8th
2011
9 and the Numbers
9 and the Numbers
7th
2010
The Black Skirts
201
6th
2009
Sister's Barbershop
A Most Ordinary Existence
5th
2008
MOT
Strange seasons
Huckleberry Finn
Fantasies... My Disillusionment
4th
2007
Swallow
Aresco
3rd
2006
Mongoose
Dancing Zoo
2nd
2005
My Aunt Mary
Just Pop
Best Modern Rock Song
Bout
Year
Winner
Song
18th
2021
LEENALCHI
"Tiger Is Coming"
17th
2020
Jannabi
"For Lovers Who Hesitate"
16th
2019
Say Sue Me
"Old Town"
15th
2018
Hyukoh
"Tomboy"
14th
2017
9 and the Numbers
"Song for Tuvalu"
13th
2016
Hyukoh
"Comes and Goes"
12th
2015
9 and the Numbers
"Hide and Seek"
11th
2014
Yoon Young-bae
"Dangerous World"
10th
2013
3rd Line Butterfly
"The Day We Breakup is Today"
9th
2012
Lee Seung-yeol
"Not Coming Back"
8th
2011
Broccoli, You Too?
"Graduation"
7th
2010
Broccoli, You Too?
"Universal Song"
6th
2009
Sister's Barbershop
"Beautiful thing"
5th
2008
Lee Seung-yeol
"Adonai"
4th
2007
Roller Coaster
"Popular Song"
3rd
2006
Seoul Electric Band
"Come into My Dream"
Bout
Year
Winner
Album
18th
2021
Remnants of the Fallen
All the Wounded and Broken
17th
2020
Method
Definition of Method
16th
2019
Dark Mirror ov Tragedy
The Lord ov Shadows
15th
2018
Abyss
Recrowned
14th
2017
Remnants of the Fallen
Shadow Walk
13th
2016
Method
Abstract
Best Folk Album
Bout
Year
Winner
Album
18th
2021
Jeongmilla
ChungPa Sonata
17th
2020
Chun Yongsung
Year of Kim Il-sung’s Death
16th
2019
Kim Sa-wol
Romance
15th
2018
Kang Tae-gu
bleu
14th
2017
Li Min-hwee
Borrowed Tongue
13th
2016
Kim Sa-wol
Suzanne
12th
2015
Kim Sa-wol x Kim Hae-won
Secret
Best Folk Song
Bout
Year
Winner
Song
18th
2021
Jeongmilla
"Departing from Seoul Station"
17th
2020
Chun Yongsung
"Heavy Snow Watch"
16th
2019
Kim Sa-wol
"Someone"
15th
2018
Kang Tae-gu
"bleu"
14th
2017
Lang Lee
"Playing God"
13th
2016
Kwon Tree
"April, 2014"
12th
2015
Kwon Tree
"Childhood"
Best Dance & Electronic Album
Best Dance & Electronic Song
Best Rap & Hip Hop Album
Bout
Year
Winner
Album
18th
2021
Khundi Panda
GAROSAWK
17th
2020
C Jamm
Keung
16th
2019
Bassagong
Tang-A
15th
2018
Viann X Khundi Panda
Reconstruction
14th
2017
Hwaji
Zissou
13th
2016
E Sens
The Anecdote
12th
2015
Hwaji
Eat
11th
2014
Paloalto
Chief Life
10th
2013
Soriheda
Soriheda 2
9th
2012
Simo & Mood Schula
Simo & Mood Schula
8th
2011
Garion
Garion2
7th
2010
Drunken Tiger
Feel gHood Muzik: The 8th Wonder
6th
2009
Verbal Jint
Framed
5th
2008
Epik High
Remapping The Human Soul
4th
2007
The Quiett
Q Train
3rd
2006
Dynamic Duo
Double Dynamite
2nd
2005
Bobby Kim
Beats Within My Soul
1st
2004
Defconn
Lesson 4 The People
Best Rap & Hip Hop Song
Bout
Year
Winner
Song
18th
2021
Swervy
"Mama Lisa"
17th
2020
E Sens
"Son of a"
16th
2019
XXX
"Gonju Gok"
15th
2018
Woo Won-jae
"We Are"
14th
2017
BewhY
"Forever"
13th
2016
Deepflow
"Cut Cut Cut"
12th
2015
B-Free
"Hot Summer"
11th
2014
Bulhandang Crew
"Robber"
10th
2013
G-Dragon
"One of a Kind "
9th
2012
MC Meta & DJ Wreckx
"Yes, Yes, Ya’ll"
8th
2011
Garion
"Most Urgent" (feat. NUCK)
7th
2010
San E
"Rap Genius"
6th
2009
Dynamic Duo
"Mother's Soup"
5th
2008
Drunken Tiger
"8:45 Heaven"
4th
2007
Koonta & NuoliuNce
"Holding On" (feat. Sean2slow)
3rd
2006
Garion
"Mutu"
Best R&B & Soul Album
Bout
Year
Winner
Album
18th
2021
Sunwoo Jung-a
Serenade
17th
2020
Samuel Seo
The Misfit
16th
2019
Jclef
flaw, flaw
15th
2018
Hippy Was Gipsy
Tree
14th
2017
Jay Park
Everything You Wanted
13th
2016
Samuel Seo
Frameworks
12th
2015
Crush
Crush on You
11th
2014
Zion.T
Red Light
10th
2013
Naul
Principle of My Soul
9th
2012
Boni
1990
8th
2011
Jinbo
Afterwork
7th
2010
Ra.D
Realcollabo
6th
2009
Taeyang
Hot
5th
2008
Yoon Mi-rae
Yoonmirae
4th
2007
Funkafric Booster
One
3rd
2006
Windy City
Love Record: Love, Power And Unity
2nd
2005
Gummy
It's Different
1st
2004
Yoon Gun
Yoon Gun
Best R&B & Soul Song
Bout
Year
Winner
Song
18th
2021
Chudahye Chagis
"Ritual Dance"
17th
2020
Jclef
"mama, see"
16th
2019
Sumin
"Your Home" (feat. Xin Seha)
15th
2018
Rico
"Paradise"
14th
2017
jeebanoff
"Sungbuk-gu Kids"
13th
2016
Dean
"Pour Up"
12th
2015
Zion.T
"Yanghwa BRDG"
11th
2014
Jinbo
"Fantasy"
10th
2013
Naul
"Wind Memory"
9th
2012
Junggigo
"Blind"
8th
2011
Deez
"Sugar"
7th
2010
Jungyup
"You Are My Lady"
6th
2009
Taeyang
"Only Look At Me"
5th
2008
Yoon Mi-rae
"What's Up! Mr. Good Stuff"
4th
2007
Heritage
"Starlight" (feat. P-Type )
3rd
2006
Windy City
"Love Supreme"
Best Jazz & Crossover Album
Bout
Year
Category
Winner
Album
18th
2021
Jazz
MALO
Song Changsik Song Book
Crossover
LEENALCHI
SUGUNGGA
17th
2020
Jazz
Kim Oki
Spirit Advance Unit
Crossover
Black String
Karma
16th
2019
Jazz
Sunji Lee
Song of April
Crossover
near east quartet
near east quartet
15th
2018
Jazz
Lee Jiyeun Contemporary Jazz Orchestra
Feather, Dream Drop
Crossover
Han Seung Seok & Jung Jaeil
And There, The Sea At Last
14th
2017
Jazz
Choi Sung Ho Singularity
When The Wind Blows
Crossover
Second Moon
Pansori Chunhyang-ga
13th
2016
Jazz
BuYoung Lee
Little Star
Crossover
The NEQ
PASSING OF ILLUSION
12th
2015
Jazz
Lee Seon-ji
The Night Of The Border
Crossover
Han Seung-seok & Jung Jae-il
Bari abandoned
11th
2014
Jazz
Na Yoon-sun
Lento
Crossover
Salon de Oh Soo-gyeong
Salon de Tango
10th
2013
Jazz
Lee Won-sool
Point Of Contact
Crossover
Jambinai
Différance
9th
2012
Jazz
BG Salon
Repeat, Pause, Play
Crossover
Park Joo-won
Fiesta of Sadness
8th
2011
Jazz
Na Yoon-sun
Same Girl
Crossover
La Ventana
Nostalgia and the Delicate Woman
7th
2010
Jazz
Song Young-joo
Love Never Fails
Crossover
Park Joo-won
Time Of The Gypsies
6th
2009
Jazz
Na Yoon-sun
Voyage
Crossover
Miyeon & Park Je-chun
Dreams From The Ancestor
5th
2008
Woong San
Yesterday
4th
2007
Seo Young Do Trio
Circle
3rd
2006
Second Moon
Second Moon
2nd
2005
Jeon Je-deok
Jeon Je-deok
1st
2004
Na Yoon-sun
Down By Love
Best Jazz & Crossover Song
Bout
Year
Winner
Song
5th
2008
Woong San
"Yesterday"
4th
2007
Jangeun Bae Trio
"Secret Place"
3rd
2006
Triologue
"It Rain"
Bout
Year
Winner
Performance
18th
2021
Soojin Suh
Colorist
17th
2020
Jangeun Bae and Liberation Amalgamation
JB Liberation Amalgamation
16th
2019
Young-joo Song
Late Fall
15th
2018
Hogyu “Stiger” Hwang Quartet
Straight, No Chaser
14th
2017
Black String
Mask Dance
13th
2016
Cho Eun-min
Oriental Fairy Tale
12th
2015
Kim Chang-hyeon
Oblivion
11th
2014
Kim Oki
Cherubim's Wrath
10th
2013
Kang Tae-hwan
Sorefa
9th
2012
Song Young-joo
Tale of A City
8th
2011
Lee Pan-geun Project
A Rhapsody in Cold Age
7th
2010
Kim Chaek & Jung Jae-il
The Methodologies
Best Movie/TV Album Soundtrack
Popularity Awards
Group Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Female Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Male Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Rock Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Modern Rock Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Bout
Year
Winner
5th
2008
Nell
Hip Hop Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Pop Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Bout
Year
Winner
5th
2008
Younha
Dance & Electronic Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
R&B & Soul Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Jazz & Crossover Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Special awards
Committee Choice Special Award
Bout
Year
Winner
18th
2021
Earkey Project
17th
2020
SEOUL Record Fair
14th
2017
Yoon Min-seok
13th
2016
Park Je-chun
12th
2015
Jambinai
11th
2014
Naver On Stage
10th
2013
Jara Island International Jazz Festival
9th
2012
Working People Documentary – ‘Factory of Dreams’
8th
2011
Super Session
7th
2010
Shim Jeong-rak
6th
2009
Kim Doo-soo
5th
2008
Bbang Compilation 3, ‘History of Bbang’
4th
2007
EBS Space Sympathy
3rd
2006
Yeon Young-seok
2nd
2005
Lee Ki-yong
1st
2004
Asoto Union / Jeon Gyeong-ok
Achievement Award
Record Label of the Year
Bout
Year
Winner
3rd
2006
Pastel Music
2nd
2005
Cavare Sound / JNH
1st
2004
Fluxus Music
Records
Most Grand Prizes
Musician of the Year, Album of the Year & Song of the Year
Most Competitive Awards
Most General Field & Genre Awards. Excludes Popularity & Special Awards
Most Awarded Overall
Includes both Competitive Awards as well as Popularity & Special Awards
General references
References
External links
South Korean music awards
Major Genre-specific Former