The late comedian Jeon Yoo-sung, who passed away on the 25th of last month, will receive the Cultural Medal alongside film actors Kim Hae-sook, Lee Byung-hun, and singer G-Dragon.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency announced on the 15th that a total of 31 individuals (teams), including these honorees, will receive the Cultural Medal and commendations at the '2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards' ceremony to be held on the 23rd at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul.
Now in its 16th year, the Popular Culture and Arts Awards is the highest government honor established to enhance 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 the development of the popular culture and arts industry.
This year, 6 individuals will receive the Cultural Medal, 7 individuals (teams) will receive the President's Commendation, 8 individuals (teams) will receive the Prime Minister's Commendation, and 10 individuals (teams) will receive the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Commendation.
The Silver Cultural Medal will be awarded to actress Kim Hae-sook, known as the 'National Mom.' Kim Hae-sook debuted as an MBC talent in 1975 and has appeared in many of the country's top-grossing films. Actors Lee Byung-hun and Jeong Dong-hwan have been selected as recipients of the Bronze Cultural Medal.
The Gold Cultural Medal will be awarded to the late Jeon Yoo-sung for his efforts in discovering and nurturing junior comedians and developing local cultural content, as well as to voice actor Bae Han-sung for his significant contributions to the development of the voice acting industry in Korea, and to singer G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong) for leading the Korean Wave and expanding the value of the Korean popular culture and arts industry globally.
The recipients of the President's Commendation include actors Kim Mi-kyung, Lee Min-ho, and Lee Jung-eun, singers TVXQ, Rosé, and Seventeen, and voice actor Kim Eun-young.
The Prime Minister's Commendation will go to actors Kim Ji-won, Kim Tae-ri, Park Bo-young, Park Hae-joon, and Ju Ji-hoon, singers ATEEZ and TWICE, and performer Choi Hee-sun.
Actors Go Yoon-jung, Byun Woo-seok, Ji Chang-wook, and Chu Young-woo, singers RISE, LE SSERAFIM, (G)I-DLE, and ZEROBASEONE, comedian Lee Soo-ji, and choreographer Bebe will receive the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Commendation.
