[Dispatch=Reporter Jung Tae-yun] Late Shin Hae-chul, Yoo Jae-suk, Han Young-ae, and BLACKPINK will receive the Cultural Medal.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency will present cultural medals and commendations to a total of 36 people (teams) at the "2026 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards" ceremony held at the National Theatre in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 29th.
The Popular Culture and Arts Awards marks its 17th year this year. It is the highest-ranking government commendation established to honor the social status and creative motivation of popular culture artists such as singers, actors, comedians, voice actors, broadcast writers, and performers, and to recognize their contributions to industry development.
This year, 10 recipients of the Cultural Medal, 7 recipients of the Presidential Commendation, 8 recipients of the Prime Minister's Commendation, and 11 recipients of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Commendation were selected. The Silver Cordon Cultural Medal is posthumously awarded to singer Shin Hae-chul, who led the popularization of Korean rock music.
The Purple Cordon Cultural Medal is awarded to Yoo Jae-suk, who has worked as a broadcaster for over 30 years, singer Han Young-ae, who celebrates her 50th debut anniversary, and performance producer Park Myung-sung, who brought "Mamma Mia!" and "Chicago" to domestic stages, among others.
Voice actor Park Young-nam of "Baby Dinosaur Dduli" and "Crayon Shin-chan" and performer Shin Kwan-woong, a living witness to Korean jazz music, were also selected. BLACKPINK members Rosé, Lisa, Jennie, and Jisoo receive the Red Cordon Cultural Medal.
The Presidential Commendation goes to music director Kang Seung-won, band Boohwal, Super Junior, film director Jang Hang-jun, actors Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Seung-ryong, and So Ji-sub.
The Prime Minister's Commendation is received by broadcaster Bae Mi-hyang, film director Yoon Ga-eun, vocal artist Lee Ja-ram, composer Lee Jae, actors Yu Seung-mok, Kim Go-eun, O Jeong-se, and singer Akmyeon.
The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Commendation is presented to comedian Kim Shin-young, Kim Won-hun, choreographer Lee Jung, actors Lim Ji-yeon, Choi Dae-hun, Park Ji-hun, Yoon Kyung-ho, film producer Jang Won-suk, singer Jang Min-ho, NMIXX, and ENHYPEN.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwe-young introduced the awardees, saying, "This year's recipients are those who have worked with the people in their respective fields of stage, broadcasting, and film over a long time and have led the development of our popular culture and arts."
He continued, "We will not spare our support so that popular culture and arts professionals can continue their creative activities with pride, and we will make consistent efforts to remember and honor the footprints and contributions they have left."
<Photo source=NEXT UNITED, Dispatch DB>
