In a move that could stir up quite a bit of debate—and certainly marks a significant shift—the Golden Disc Awards are set to make history this year by introducing a third Daesang (Grand Prize) for the very first time in their four-decade existence. This change isn’t just about adding another trophy; it signals a broader recognition of how the music industry, especially K-pop, continues to evolve and expand globally.
On November 21, HLL JoongAng, the organization responsible for orchestrating this prestigious event, announced that they will be including a new Artist Daesang in the upcoming ceremony. This addition is quite notable because, historically, the Golden Disc Awards have focused on two main categories: the Album Daesang and the Digital Song Daesang. But this year, they’re breaking new ground by creating a third category—specifically honoring the artist behind the work.
This isn’t a random change. The awards have been gradually adapting over the years. Back in their 21st year, they split the Daesang into two distinct awards to better reflect the shifting landscape of music consumption—from physical albums to digital streaming. Now, in their 40th edition scheduled for January, they will recognize three separate categories, emphasizing not only album sales and digital performance but also the artist’s overall influence.
And here’s where it gets interesting—how will they decide who wins? The Artist Daesang will be determined through a mix of data-driven metrics—covering 60 percent of the decision—and subjective judgment from a panel of industry experts, accounting for the remaining 40 percent. The data that will influence these results include global chart rankings, which are provided by Circle Chart and are incorporated into the ‘Golden Chart’—a ranking system the awards have been sharing across their social media channels since April.
HLL JoongAng explained that their long discussions centered around how to best capture the international impact of K-pop and the worldwide achievements of its artists. They want their awards to reflect the global influence that K-pop artists have gained, not just domestically but across the world. This means that the new Daesang will weigh in the global chart performance, making the awards more inclusive of international success.
Adding to the excitement, the trophy design for this year’s awards will see a visual refresh. While the three Daesang trophies will be entirely gold, the other trophies will feature a sleek design with gold discs set against a black background, giving the event a more modern and prestigious aesthetic.
Mark your calendars—this highly anticipated event will take place at the Taipei Dome on January 10, 2026. And for those eager to see who will be nominated for these top honors, the list of nominees will be unveiled on November 25.
But here’s a question to ponder—does expanding the awards categories and relying more on global data truly capture the essence of artistic achievement? Or does it risk turning what’s supposed to be a celebration of music into a numbers game? Share your thoughts and opinions—this change could spark a lively debate among fans, industry insiders, and critics alike.
