BLACKPINK Becomes the First K-Pop Girl Group to Receive the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit
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TAME OTONITY – BLACKPINK has reached another major milestone in their global career, becoming the first K-pop girl group to receive South Korea’s prestigious Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit.
This award recognizes the quartet’s contributions to spreading Korean popular culture internationally through their music, performances, and individual activities.
The group received the award at the 17th Korean Culture and Popular Arts Awards, held on October 29, 2026, at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Seoul.
YG Entertainment confirmed the announcement on October 30. This achievement holds additional significance as BLACKPINK is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their debut this year.
Since their debut in 2016, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa have established themselves as internationally recognized artists, helping to bring K-pop to audiences in various countries and markets.
The Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit is the fourth-highest award in South Korea’s Order of Cultural Merit. This award is given to individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the country’s cultural development and international recognition.
The recognition received by BLACKPINK makes them the first K-pop girl group to receive the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit.
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This award recognizes their achievements through the group’s promotions and the members’ individual careers, as well as their role in expanding the global influence of Korean popular music. The members were unable to attend the ceremony due to their album-related schedules.
A representative from YG Entertainment accepted the award on their behalf. Following the announcement, BLACKPINK expressed their gratitude through their agency. They also stated their intention to continue creating music that resonates with their listeners.
This award is one of South Korea’s highest government honors in the fields of popular culture and the arts. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, this annual ceremony honors artists and industry professionals whose work has contributed to the development of Korean entertainment.
BLACKPINK’s achievements have placed them among the leading award recipients recognized for their influence on the international entertainment industry. Over the past decade, BLACKPINK has reached several significant milestones that have contributed to their international reputation.
Their second studio album, 2022’s “BORN PINK,” became the first album by an Asian female artist to simultaneously top both the U.S. Billboard 200 and the UK Official Albums Chart. This achievement highlights the scale of their international audience and the enduring popularity of their music videos and performances.
