The prestigious Golden Disc Awards (GDA) is marking its 40th anniversary with a historic overhaul of its grand prize structure and trophy design.
For the first time in its four-decade history, the awards ceremony will present a total of three Daesangs (Grand Prizes), reflecting the explosive growth and global influence of the K-Pop industry.
This monumental change was announced by the organizers, HLL JoongAng, on November 21, 2025.
The Three Grand Prizes: A New Artist Daesang
The GDA first split its single Grand Prize into two separate awards—one for Digital Song and one for Album—during its 21st year to adapt to the evolving music consumption landscape.
For the upcoming 40th ceremony, a third Grand Prize, the Artist Daesang, will be introduced.
The three Daesangs for the 40th Golden Disc Awards will now be:
- Digital Song Daesang (Song of the Year)
- Album Daesang (Album of the Year)
- Artist Daesang (Artist of the Year)
This new category is designed specifically to acknowledge the “global influence and musical achievements of K-pop artists” beyond the success of a single album or song.
New Criteria for Global Recognition
The addition of the Artist Daesang is a direct response to the K-Pop industry’s massive international expansion.
Like the existing Album and Digital Song Daesangs, the Artist Daesang will be determined using a combination of data and expert evaluation:
- Quantitative Data: 60 percent
- Judges’ Panel Evaluation: 40 percent
To ensure the new award accurately reflects worldwide impact, HLL JoongAng confirmed that the quantitative data for the Artist Daesang will include global chart data.
This data, provided by Circle Chart and previously used in the GDA’s “Golden Chart,” will be reflected in the final quantitative evaluation, linking the award directly to an artist’s success in the international music market.
Golden Anniversary: Venue and Trophies
The 40th Golden Disc Awards will be held on January 10, 2026, at the Taipei Dome in Taiwan.
This marks the seventh time the ceremony has been held outside of South Korea, underscoring its commitment to being a global event.
The venue, with a seating capacity of 40,000, is Taiwan’s largest indoor arena, promising a grand scale for the anniversary celebration.
In conjunction with the new award, the trophy design will also be updated:
- The three newly established Daesangs (Digital Song, Album, and Artist) will feature a design that is fully gold.
- All other trophies will retain a design featuring gold discs on a black background.
This visual change further elevates the prestige of the three top awards, celebrating the recipients’ status as the most impactful artists in the K-Pop industry for the year.
Nominees for the major award categories are scheduled to be revealed shortly, on November 25, 2025.
The BLACKPINK universe is expanding, not with a new member, but with a family star stepping into the spotlight.
Jiyoon, the older sister of global superstar Jisoo, is making her highly anticipated television debut, sparking massive excitement among BLINKs and K-entertainment followers alike.
Stepping into the Arena: Super Seller: Incentive Game
Jiyoon’s official foray into television is through ENA’s upcoming reality competition, Super Seller: Incentive Game.
The program is set for a high-stakes premiere on November 14, 2025, plunging Jiyoon directly into a demanding environment.
The show is structured as a survival competition where forty contestants must use a combination of strategy, persuasion, and charisma to outperform one another.
The ultimate goal is a massive cash prize of 300 million won (approximately $225,000 USD), making the competition fierce and the challenges intense.
Jiyoon won’t be the only heavyweight in the running. She will be competing against established influencers and digital personalities, including Malwang, Kim Ddoldol, and Kang Stylist.
Jisoo and her sister, Jiyoon (Credit: Instagram)
This star-studded lineup ensures an unpredictable and captivating showdown, setting the stage for Jiyoon to showcase her skills beyond her familial connection.
The Visual Power Duo: Jiyoon’s Established Star Power
Long before this television announcement, Jiyoon had cultivated a significant and dedicated following on her own digital platforms.
Often admired for her stunning visuals, sophisticated fashion sense, and genuine glimpses into her personal life, she currently commands an audience of more than 559,000 Instagram followers.
Fans have warmly embraced the closeness and shared beauty between the sisters, affectionately dubbing Jisoo and Jiyoon a “visual power duo.”
Jiyoon’s journey is one of inspiring career evolution: she began her professional life as a flight attendant before transitioning into a successful content creator and influencer.
At 35 years old, she also manages the responsibilities of being a mother of two boys, drawing widespread admiration for balancing family life with a bold new leap into the competitive entertainment industry.
This multifaceted background suggests she brings considerable life experience, discipline, and charm to the competition.
Global Momentum: Jisoo and BLACKPINK’s Continued Success
As Jiyoon starts her television career, the rest of the family—and BLACKPINK—continue their global ascent. Jisoo herself is currently enjoying massive success with her recent collaboration, “Eyes Closed,” featuring Zayn Malik.
The song has been celebrated worldwide for its deep emotional resonance and the perfect blend of the two artists’ vocal talents.
Adding to the excitement for BLINKs, the article also mentions promising reports regarding the group’s future music. BLACKPINK is reportedly planning to release their next full album in January 2026.
This shared momentum has only amplified the enthusiasm surrounding Jiyoon’s debut.
BLINKs are already flooding social media platforms with messages of support, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to watch her take her first televised steps and prove her own charisma and competitive spirit.
Jiyoon’s entry into the entertainment world marks a new, exciting chapter for the family and for fans who love to see success run in the family.
