KSC | K-Pop

The 32nd Hanteo Music Awards, held on February 16-17, 2024, at Jangchung Arena in Seoul, celebrated the achievements of K-pop artists, honoring both established and rising talents for their contributions to the global music scene.

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The Hanteo Music Awards 2024 not only celebrated the rich legacy of K-pop but also celebrated the bright future of K-pop. The ceremony showcased talented groups, idols, and presenters who have won our hearts with their incredible skill and passion. The event highlighted the industry’s brightest stars, offering an unforgettable experience that transcended the excitement of the performances.

Presented and organized by Hanteo Global, led by CEO Kwak Young Ho, the Hanteo Music Awards hold a unique position within the K-pop industry. As the creators of South Korea’s first music chart, the Hanteo Chart, Hanteo Global continues to shape the trajectory of K-pop. This awards ceremony, the only one of its kind in Seoul, has become an iconic event, holding its importance in the heart of the genre’s birthplace.

The Ceremony: A Glimpse into K-pop’s Diverse Talent

The second day of the ceremony, held on February 16, featured captivating performances from a mix of male and female groups and soloists, including RIIZE, LIGHTSUM, 8TURN, NCT WISH, Young Tak, YOUNG POSSE, EVNNE, Lee Seung Yoon, YENA, and HYB—a ballad trio composed of Huh Gak, Shin Yong Jae, and Onestar. As expected, the ceremony also held an impressive lineup of presenters, including Kim Yong Jun, Kim Ho Young, Muzie, Soyou, Lee Hee Jin, Insooni, Jang Woo Hyuk, JeA, and Hwangbo, who helped honor the night’s winners.

Data Driven Award Show

The Hanteo Music Awards stand out for their data-driven categories, offering precise recognition across various aspects of the industry, and celebrating the global reach of K-pop. The categories ensure equal representation for both male and female artists, showcasing their remarkable achievements.

Awards and Highlights

A major highlight of the night was RIIZE, a male group that walked away with three awards: Artist of the Year (Bonsang), The Most Prime Group, and Best Trend Leader. RIIZE delivered an unforgettable live performance of “Hug,” their January release, and wrapped up the evening with an electrifying performance of “Boom Boom Bass.”

(G)I-DLE, a standout female group, claimed an impressive four trophies, including Artist of the Year (Bonsang), Global Generation Icon, The Most Prime Solo (awarded to member MINNIE), and the Grand Prize (Daesang) for Best Song.

The ceremony also recognized NCT WISH, the latest subunit of NCT, which performed “Steady,” showcasing their distinctive talent and concept. NCT WISH was awarded Next Worldwide Artist and Rookie of the Year (Male).

Global Recognition and Artist Triumphs

SEVENTEEN, the 13-member male group, received recognition for Best Album with Spill The Feels. The album’s title track, “LOVE, MONEY, FAME,” featuring DJ Khaled, has already garnered 48 million views. Along with the Grand Prize, SEVENTEEN also claimed Artist of the Year (Bonsang), further solidifying their legacy in the K-pop world.

Alongside SEVENTEEN, TXT, a five-member male group, also took home Artist of the Year. TXT’s Yeonjun, known for his solo release “GGUM,” received the Global Artist award for Oceania, while TXT won the Global Artist award for North America and Top Touring Artist. TXT’s achievement was further honored by their Best Performance (Daesang) award, showcasing their global influence.

Trot singer and songwriter Young Tak, known for his ability to blend traditional Korean music with modern pop, performed his song “SuperSuper” and took home two awards. The night also featured an unforgettable performance by Lee Seung Yoon.

Other winners included 8TURN, an eight-member male group that debuted in January 2023 and earned Hanteo Choice K-Pop Artist, and LIGHTSUM, a female group that debuted in June 2021, who also won the same award.

Rising Stars and Genre-Specific Honors

The Blooming Star category celebrated emerging talent, with NOWADAYS, SAY MY NAME, and YOUNG POSSE taking home awards for male, female, and performance categories, respectively.

The Amazing Artist award went to male group EVNNE and female group ARTMS. The Post Generation awards recognized male group EPEX and female soloist YENA, who also won the Great Female Artist award. Kim Jae Joong was honored with the Great Male Artist award and Grand Wave Musician award, while HYB won the Great Vocal Group award.

The Global Artist awards celebrated K-pop’s international reach, with Rosé winning for South America, BTS’s Jimin for Europe, ATEEZ for Africa, and PLAVE for Asia.

Special Awards also shined a light on talent across genres. The Ballad award was presented to Lee Mujin, Hip-Hop to RM (BTS), and Band to Lee Seung Yoon.

The Global Rising Star award went to the K-pop girl group tripleS, further emphasizing K-pop’s continued expansion.

Honoring the Legends

Artist of the Year, the Bonsang, was awarded to several groups dominating the charts and social media, including TXT, (G)I-DLE, Young Tak, Stray Kids, aespa, TWS, ENHYPEN, DAY6, LE SSERAFIM, RIIZE, IU, SEVENTEEN, ZEROBASE1, PLAVE, NewJeans, IVE, and NCT DREAM.

In addition, Hanteo honored influential songwriters with the Great Songwriter award, presented to Lee Mujin, recognizing the pivotal role of songwriters in shaping K-pop.

The Rookie of the Year (Female) award went to ILLIT, a five-member group, who made their debut in March 2024.

In a fitting tribute to K-pop’s legacy, the Infinite Inspiration Icon award was given to the legendary Insooni, a pioneer in the industry since her 1978 debut with Hee Sisters.

A Seamless Celebration of K-pop’s Past, Present, and Future

The ceremony, held at a centrally located venue in Seoul, was praised for its flawless production and accessibility. The tradition of senior artists presenting awards to junior talent continued, further emphasizing the event’s stature in the K-pop industry.

Kwak Young Ho, in a statement, highlighted the Hanteo Chart’s role in the Korean music scene, saying, “The Hanteo Music Awards uphold the history and essence of K-pop. Our goal is to maintain authenticity by ensuring that presenters and recipients are both artists themselves.”

He continued, “This year, for the first time in K-pop award show history, we held a pre-event, the Hanteo Music Adventure Night Party, at Lotte World Adventure. Additionally, we designed the ’32nd HMA 2024′ around the concept of ‘Mutopia’ [music and utopia], where artists and fans could share a dynamic and immersive experience. We hope this grand K-pop festival becomes an unforgettable memory, and we will strive to create an even more special experience for next year’s Hanteo Music Awards.”

As the night drew to a close, it was clear that the Hanteo Music Awards remain a special event for industry professionals, idols, and fans alike. By honoring both established and rising artists, representing diverse genres, and celebrating the vibrant K-pop culture, the awards continued their mission to honor the global phenomenon that is K-pop.