Late singer Shin Hae-chul, BLACKPINK among 10 to receive cultural merit
Summary
The late singer Shin Hae-chul, comedian Yoo Jae-suk, singer Han Young-ae and BLACKPINK will receive national cultural merits Thursday at the 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards in Seoul. A total of 36 individuals and groups will be honored, including 10 recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit. Shin will posthumously receive the Eungwan (Silver) Order, while BLACKPINK members Rose, Lisa, Jennie and Jisoo will receive the Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order.
Key Facts
- The ceremony is in its 17th year and is described as the government’s highest honor for pop culture artists.
- The 36 honorees also include seven recipients of the presidential commendation, eight of the prime minister’s commendation and 11 of the culture minister’s commendation.
- Shin, who died in 2014, was recognized for helping popularize Korean rock through experimental music with bands such as N.EX.T.
- The Bogwan (Precious Crown) Order will go to Yoo, Han, theatrical producer Park Myung-sung, voice actress Park Young-nam and musician Shin Kwan-woong.
- Han marks the 50th anniversary of her debut; Yoo has worked as a television personality for more than 30 years.
K-pop girl group BLACKPINK / Captured from BLACKPINK's X
The late singer Shin Hae-chul, comedian Yoo Jae-suk, singer Han Young-ae and K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will be awarded national cultural merits Thursday in recognition of their contributions to Korean pop culture.
In total, 36 individuals and groups will receive the Order of Cultural Merit and official commendations at the 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency.
Now in its 17th year, the ceremony — to be held at the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul — is the government's highest honor for pop culture artists, including singers, actors, comedians, voice actors and broadcast writers.
This year's honorees include 10 recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit, alongside seven recipients of the presidential commendation, eight for the prime minister's commendation and 11 for the culture minister's commendation.
Late singer Shin Hae-chul / Courtesy of N.EX.T United
Shin, who died in 2014, will posthumously receive the Eungwan (Silver) Order of Cultural Merit. He was recognized for leading the popularization of Korean rock music through his experimental music with bands such as N.EX.T.
The Bogwan (Precious Crown) Order of Cultural Merit will go to five figures: comedian Yoo, who has worked as a television personality for over 30 years; singer Han, who marks the 50th anniversary of her debut; theatrical producer Park Myung-sung, who brought musicals such as "Mamma Mia!" and "Chicago" to the domestic stage; voice actress Park Young-nam, known for the TV animated series "Dooly the Little Dinosaur" and "Crayon Shin-chan"; and musician Shin Kwan-woong, regarded as a living witness to the history of Korean jazz.
The Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order will be awarded to BLACKPINK members — Rose, Lisa, Jennie and Jisoo.
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