On the evening of February 11, 2026, the Korea University Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul pulsed with energy, lights, and the unmistakable buzz of anticipation as the 2nd D Awards (D AWARDS with upick) kicked off its red carpet event. The ceremony, hosted by Sports Donga, drew together the brightest stars of K-pop and a constellation of entertainment personalities, turning the venue into a veritable festival of music, performance, and celebration.
Returning as master of ceremonies was actor Lee Jong-won, whose familiar presence was joined this year by rising star Shin Ye-eun and Boynextdoor’s Myung Jae-hyun, both adding a new spark to the proceedings. According to Digital Daily, the three hosts greeted the crowd and set the tone for an evening that would showcase not only the achievements of established icons but also the promise of emerging talent.
Sixteen of Korea’s top musical acts graced the red carpet and stage, including ENHYPEN, BOYNEXTDOOR, ZEROBASEONE, NCT WISH, P1Harmony, xikers, 82MAJOR, FIFTYFIFTY, QWER, Hi-Fi Un!corn, NEXZ, izna, KickFlip, AHOF, AxMxP, and Choi Rip Woo. The sheer breadth of the lineup underscored the D Awards’ reputation as a gathering of the industry’s elite, as reported by Sports Hankook and Gukje News.
The event’s structure, as detailed by Gukje News, was split into three major award categories: the Black Label, Blue Label, and Silver Label. The prestigious Black Label encompassed the highest honors—Artist of the Year, Album, Song, Performance, Record, Trend, Iconic, and Global. The Blue Label included the main awards and the Best categories, while the Silver Label recognized outstanding rookies expected to shape the future of Korean popular music.
In a nod to efficiency and audience engagement, several of the Blue Label’s Best awards were announced in advance via official social media channels. This move, as Gukje News explained, was designed to streamline the ceremony and build excitement among fans worldwide. The pre-announced winners reflected the diverse strengths of the K-pop world: ENHYPEN’s world tour ‘Walk The Line’ earned them Best Tour; P1Harmony’s album ‘DUH!’ and BOYNEXTDOOR’s ‘The Action’ shared Best Recording; NCT WISH’s ‘poppop’ and izna’s ‘SIGN’ both took home Best Song. NCT WISH also notched the inaugural Best Social Contents award.
The accolades didn’t stop there. Best Stage went to both xikers and NEXZ, while the coveted Best Group distinction was awarded to ENHYPEN, BOYNEXTDOOR, NMIXX, and izna. ZEROBASEONE’s ‘ICONIK’ scooped up Best Video, and the Best OST honor went to Matthew and Gunwook for ‘Backpacker’ from the ‘Study Group’ soundtrack. FIFTYFIFTY’s choreography for ‘Pookie’ wowed judges and fans alike, earning them Best Choreography. QWER, for the second year running, was recognized as Best Band. 82MAJOR made a splash with the Breakthrough award, while the Discovery category shone a spotlight on Hi-Fi Un!corn, AHOF, AxMxP, and Choi Rip Woo as rising stars to watch.
The ceremony also made room for recognizing achievements beyond music alone. The Impact award celebrated the year’s most impressive actors and broadcasters, and eight popularity awards were distributed in collaboration with the global fan platform upick, highlighting the vital role of international audiences in shaping the modern K-pop landscape.
As the evening unfolded, the gymnasium buzzed with anticipation—not just for the performances and awards, but for the chance to see favorite idols up close. ENHYPEN, a group that has consistently dominated charts and headlines, walked the red carpet to the delight of fans and photographers alike, as captured by Star Today. P1Harmony, FIFTYFIFTY, and other leading acts followed, each greeted by a wave of cheers and camera flashes.
Presenters, too, were a star-studded ensemble. Twenty-one celebrities from various fields—including Kangnam, Kim Da-som, Kim On-ah, Kim Hae-jun, Na Bo-ram, Moon Yoo-gang, Mimiminu, Park Seo-ham, Park Ji-yeon, Bae In-hyuk, Song Ah, Ahn Eun-jin, Ahn Hyo-seop, Oh Yeon-seo, Yoo Jae-pil, Lee Soo-ji, Lee Ju-an, Lim Soo-hyang, Jeon Yeo-bin, Choi Jin-hyuk, and Hong Jong-hyun—took to the stage to hand out awards and share in the celebration.
One of the night’s memorable moments came when the group AHOF stepped forward to accept an award. According to Sports Donga, their acceptance speech resonated with gratitude and excitement, reflecting not only their own journey but also the spirit of the night—a celebration of hard work, creativity, and the unifying power of music.
For those unable to attend in person, the D Awards made sure nobody missed out. The event was broadcast live on Channel A Plus at 6 PM, with a delayed broadcast airing at midnight on Channel A, ensuring fans across the country and beyond could join the festivities, as reported by Digital Daily and Gukje News.
The symbolism of the D Awards’ signature tricolor trophy loomed large throughout the night. As the winners clutched their prizes, the audience was reminded of the evolving landscape of K-pop, where tradition and innovation walk hand in hand. The ceremony’s focus on both established and emerging talent underscored the industry’s commitment to nurturing new voices while honoring those who have already made their mark.
With its blend of star power, heartfelt speeches, and a keen eye on the future, the 2nd D Awards proved to be more than just another awards show. It was a testament to the enduring appeal and global reach of Korean pop music, a genre that continues to inspire, unite, and surprise. As the lights dimmed and the last notes faded, attendees left with memories of a night when the stars truly aligned in Seoul.