G-Dragon received the cultural medal as the youngest recipient.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, the '2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards' ceremony was held at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul.
Now in its 16th year, the 'Popular Culture and Arts Awards' are the government's highest honors in the field of popular culture and arts, established to recognize those who have raised the social status and creative motivation of popular culture and arts figures and contributed to the development of the popular culture and arts industry.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) conducted a public nomination of candidates to the people through the website from April to select award recipients in the broadcasting, music, film and performance fields together with the Korea Creative Content Agency. Afterwards, a review committee composed of experts in the relevant fields evaluated length of service, degree of merit and social contribution to select honorees and award recipients.
On the day, the Ok-gwan cultural medal was awarded to voice actor Bae Han-seong, comedian the late Jeon Yu-seong, and singer G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong). In particular, G-Dragon drew attention for becoming the youngest recipient.
Stepping onto the stage to receive the award, G-Dragon looked nervous but greeted the audience saying, "the youngest honoree, singer G-Dragon."
He continued, "I took a long break before my comeback, and it will be a year one week after my comeback. If I remember correctly, I think I was about 6 years old when, not knowing much, I was led by my mother's hand to my first audition. Since that day I have kept dreaming the same dream. In my teens my dream was to be a singer, so I achieved that, in my 20s I received awards, and now in my 30s I have received the Ok-gwan cultural medal, so I have high expectations for my 40s," he said.
He also joked, "I happened to rush to the restroom and ran back, so I'm out of breath. I prepared a lot, but now that I'm up here I don't know what to say."
G-Dragon said, "When I was young I admired singers so much. I still do, and I am very proud to be a singer; I love and enjoy what I do. Moreover, the many seniors who made it possible for me to dream were shining stars to me every night. I grew up listening to the songs of those stars, and after becoming one of those stars, next year our group will also mark 20 years. I want to share the honor with the members. And to the fans, thank you so much," he said, expressing gratitude to fans.
He added, "I'm on a world tour, and it's truly amazing. Every day feels like a dream, and I usually say before bed, 'good night, sweet dreams,' without thinking, but I believe that has great power. If you keep having good dreams every day they can become reality. If that reality becomes a dream, you can dream a new dream. If you chase dreams day by day, even if good dreams don't necessarily become reality, don't you feel good when you have good dreams?" he said with a laugh.
Finally he said with a smile, "I will continue to—this year I am indeed the youngest, but I also have some experience now," and added, "I hope you all have good dreams."
[Photo] YouTube 'THE K-POP' capture / OSEN DB
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