BTS, BLACKPINK Among 40 Most Influential K-Pop Figures Named by Golden Disc Awards
The Golden Disc Awards revealed its "Power House 40" list on October 23, recognizing the most influential figures in Korean music history as the ceremony prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Historic Recognition Spans Four Decades
Fifty music industry professionals-producers, composers, lyricists, journalists, and critics-selected 40 artists, producers, and composers who shaped Korean popular music from 1986 to 2025.
The complete list includes: Kim Gun-mo, Kim Kwang-seok, Kim Min-ki, Kim Wan-sun, Kim Eana, Kim Chang-hwan, Kim Hyun-sik, Kim Hyung-seok, Na Hoon-a, TVXQ, Deux, Deulgukhwa, Park Jin-young, Bang Si-hyuk, BTS, BoA, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, Seo Taiji, Girls' Generation, Shin Seung-hoon, Shin Joong-hyun, Shin Hae-chul, Psy, IU, Yang Hyun-seok, Yoo Young-jin, Yoo Jae-ha, Yoon Il-sang, Lee Moon-sae, Lee Soo-man, Lee Young-hoon, Lee Hyo-ri, Lim Young-woong, Cho Yong-pil, G-Dragon, KENZIE, Teddy, g.o.d, and H.O.T.
Multi-Generational Impact
Artists form the largest category, spanning from first-generation idol groups H.O.T. and g.o.d to global acts BTS and BLACKPINK. The selection includes trot legends like Na Hoon-a and contemporary stars like Lim Young-woong.
Entertainment moguls Park Jin-young (JYP), Bang Si-hyuk (HYBE), Yang Hyun-seok (YG), and Lee Soo-man (SM) earned recognition for building K-pop's global infrastructure. Hit-makers Kim Min-ki, Yoo Young-jin, and Teddy were honored for creating generation-defining music.
40th Anniversary Ceremony in Taiwan
The 40th Golden Disc Awards will take place January 10, 2026, at Taipei Dome in Taiwan, accommodating 40,000 attendees. This marks the seventh overseas ceremony, following previous events in Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Fukuoka.
The awards ceremony, established in 1986, has undergone rebranding for its milestone year, introducing a new emblem that blends the traditional disc motif with soundwave designs representing music's evolution.
Selection Criteria
Honorees were chosen based on pioneering new genres, creating culturally significant music, building industry infrastructure, and expanding Korean music globally. The Power House 40 serves as both historical documentation and a roadmap for understanding K-pop's rise as a global phenomenon.
The list emphasizes diversity across generations, musical styles, and industry roles-from legendary performers to behind-the-scenes innovators who transformed Korean music into an international cultural force.
