Six leading figures in Korean entertainment are set to receive the Order of Cultural Merit, the South Korean government’s highest honor recognizing contributions to popular culture and the arts. The awards, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will be presented at a prestigious ceremony on October 23.
The honorees span film, drama, music, comedy, and voice acting, underscoring the country’s expanding global influence.
Honoring the Cultural Elite
The highest distinction, the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit (Eumgwan), will be presented to veteran actor Kim Hae-sook. Known affectionately as the “nation’s mother,” Kim debuted in 1975 and has starred in numerous hit television dramas and films over five decades.
The Precious Crown Order (Bogwan) will be awarded to actor Lee Byung-hun, who is being recognized for his acclaimed performances across Korean and Hollywood productions that have demonstrated the global potential of Korean cinema. He is joined by actor Jung Dong-hwan, honored for his creative reinterpretations of classic literature on stage.
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The Jade Crown Order (Okgwan) will be presented to K-pop icon G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong), who is credited with expanding the value of Korea’s popular culture worldwide. Voice actor Bae Han-seong, who has shaped the Korean dubbing industry since his debut in 1966, and the late comedian Jeon Yoo-sung, a pioneer in television comedy, will also receive the Jade Crown Order.
A Festival for the Industry
The government ceremony is the most prestigious event recognizing achievements in the popular arts, but it also aims to celebrate the hard work of production teams. “This year’s awards ceremony carries the message of ‘a festival that shines both on and behind the stage.’ By celebrating the achievements of K-content while sharing the hard work and dedication of the production teams with the public, we hope to continue creating stages where both artists and crews can shine together,” a Culture Ministry official said in a press statement.
Beyond the Order of Cultural Merit recipients, the government will present numerous Presidential, Prime Minister, and Ministerial commendations to a wide array of cultural figures.
Presidential commendations will be awarded to two-member group TVXQ, Seventeen, and Rosé of Blackpink, among others, for their global achievements in K-pop. Prime Minister commendations will go to groups Ateez and Twice. Newer-generation groups, including Riize, Le Sserafim, (G)I-DLE, and ZeroBaseOne, will receive Minister of Culture commendations.
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The awards also recognize technical staff in categories such as production design and sound. Ryu Seong-hee, production designer for “Mask Girl” and “The Handmaiden,” will receive a Ministerial citation in the art department. Park Seong-il, CEO of Hogisim Studio, will be honored for his work in sound on series including “Squid Game.”
