Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards is a ceremony established by the South Korean Government, which is being celebrated annually since 2010. This is an event to acknowledge those personalities that made a huge contribution to pop culture and arts, may it be actors and actresses, comedians, K-pop singers, and models.
There are four categories of awards an artist can get: Order of Cultural Merit, Presidential Commendation, Prime Minister's Commendation and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation.
Here's the complete list of K-pop idols and groups awarded by the South Korean government, which is considered the highest form of award an artist can get, due to their contributions for the sake of arts and pop culture.
Order of Cultural Merit
1.BTS (2018)
The global K-pop group is the first K-pop act and the youngest to have a fifth-class Hwagwan Order of Cultural Merit, which is an award given by the President of South Korea. This is due to their continuous contribution to promoting the national culture and interest for national development.
Presidential Commendation
1. BoA (2016)
The "Queen of K-pop" BoA is the first K-pop idol to receive a presidential commendation.
Prime Minister Commendation
1. Girls' Generation (2011)
In 2011, Girls' Generation became the first K-pop group to receive the prestigious award of Prime Minister Commendation, recognizing their impact on the development of Korean culture pop and arts.
2. 2NE1 (2012)
Just a year after, the iconic K-pop group also receives the award, proving the power of girl groups during the second-generation of the K-pop era.
3. Kim Jong Kook, IU, and JYJ (2015)
In 2015, Jong Kook, a first-generation idol and former Turbo member, was awarded alongside IU, a Korean soloist and K-pop group JYJ for Prime Minister Commendation awards. Their immense popularity and contribution to Korean pop to be recognized worldwide is one reason.
4. SHINee and G-Dragon (2016)
In 2016, The "Princes of K-pop" SHINee and the "King of K-pop" G-Dragon were simultaneously awarded by the prime minister, for bringing and introducing the genre to a larger scale of fans.
5. EXO (2017)
EXO is the third K-pop boy group that held a Prime Minister award, joining their label mate Girls' Generation and SHINee.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation
1. Super Junior and Bigbang (2010)
The "Hallyu Kings" and "Kings of K-pop" are the first-ever groups that were awarded by the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism since its establishment.
2. ZE: A, CNBlue, BEAST/HIGHLIGHT and After School (2011)
In 2011, Four K-pop groups, including ZE: A, CNBlue, Beast, or now known as HIGHLIGHT as well After School, followed Suju and BigBang to receive the prestigious award. In 2011, The mentioned groups' popularity was immense, contributing to K-pop to be known even in foreign countries.
3. SHINee (2012)
In 2012, SHINee got their first award in the Korean Popular and Awards Ceremony with a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
4. SISTAR and SECRET (2013)
The two groups that introduced a new blend of the genre in the K-pop industry, SISTAR, and SECRET, were also awarded by the commendation simultaneously in 2013.
5. EXO (2014)
Just two years after their debut, EXO received its very first award from the South Korean government.
6. Girl's Day (2015)
The female K-pop group who debuted in 2010 joined the list as well. In 2014, they entered the Billboard Charts Hot 100, peaking at #2. In 2015, despite the controversy, the group's track, "Ring My Bell," was loved by several K-pop enthusiasts, and even made their Japanese debut. In the same year, they held their showcase in China with 2,000 audiences.
7. BTS (2016)
In 2016, the popularity of BTS surged all over the country, making a significant contribution to the newer generation to recognize K-pop. Due to this, they are selected to receive the commendation award as well.
8. BtoB and TWICE (2017)
In 2017, the two groups received the award along with four other actors and models. BtoB also gave their thank-you-speech, affirming the ministry that they will continue to contribute to Hallyu.
9.Red Velvet (2018)
The girl group was finally acknowledged in 2018, due to their various and different concepts and experimental genres, opening another door of concept for K-pop.
10. MAMAMOO, MONSTA X and NCT 127 (2019)
The only K-pop groups that were given an award during the 2019's ceremony came from the third-generation groups. In context, MAMAMOO breaks the stereotypes in girl groups' image, while MONSTA X opens the industry for the US market. Meanwhile, NCT 127 is also contributing to the global influence of K-pop that can help to introduce the culture for those who wanted to know South Korea.
