The 22nd Korean Music Awards (KMA) took place on February 27, 2025, celebrating remarkable achievements within South Korea's vibrant music scene. The prestigious awards, heralded as the country’s version of the Grammy Awards, recognized outstanding talent across various categories, bringing together renowned musicians, industry experts, and enthusiastic fans eagerly awaiting the results.
This year, the standout winner was the band ‘단편선 순간들’ (Short Moment), whose album ‘음악만세’ (Music is Forever) was honored with the coveted ‘Album of the Year’ award. The band’s leader humbly remarked on the significance of winning, stating, "Receiving awards does not validate my worth as a musician or person. What matters is the encouragement we receive from fellow musicians and supporters. That is the true meaning of this award."
Another notable recipient at the ceremony was singer 이승윤 (Lee Seung-yoon), who, with his album ‘역성’ (Reverse), bagged three awards, including ‘Artist of the Year’ and ‘Best Rock Song’ for ‘역성’. He expressed gratitude during his acceptance speech, reflecting the importance of music connecting with contemporary emotions. "I want to create music reminiscent of times, tucked away somewhere insignificant yet impactful," he stated.
On the K-pop front, the girl group 에스파 (aespa) triumphed with their song ‘슈퍼노바’ (Supernova), winning ‘Song of the Year’ and ‘Best K-Pop Song’. Although busy with their world tour, members shared their heartfelt appreciation for winning once again, stating, "Receiving this award again after three years is an honor. We’re motivated to reward the love we’ve received by continuing to work hard on our music."
Among other winners were the folk duo 산만한시선 (Scattered Perspective), who claimed the ‘Best New Artist’ title, and the late composer 고 이호준 (Late Lee Ho-jun), who received the honorary award for his contributions to the industry. The awards were presented to artists across 26 categories, signifying the diversity present within the South Korean music industry.
Diverse genres were represented, from rock to K-pop, with artists like 비비 (Bibi) and 지드래곤 (G-Dragon) also taking home awards. G-Dragon was recognized for his song ‘파워’ (Power), securing the ‘Best Rap Song’ award.
While the night celebrated musical excellence, it also spotlighted the pertinent issues facing the South Korean music industry, particularly the practice of tampering—premature contact between competing agencies and artists under contract. The issue has raised concerns, with five key organizations within the industry calling for balanced government interventions. Their meeting on the same day at JW Marriott Hotel emphasized the importance of respecting exclusive contracts and the role of ethical practices within the sector.
최광호 (Choi Kwang-ho), Secretary General of the Korean Music Content Association, stressed during the press conference, "The foundation of the South Korean popular music industry lies primarily on the contracts between management companies and artists. Unfortunately, immoral tactics from other agencies exploit vulnerabilities during contract expiries." He condemned the pressures faced by artists influenced by external offers, pushing for legislative reforms to support fair practices.
The representatives collectively voiced their need for regulatory frameworks to safeguard artists’ rights amid the rapidly changing dynamics of the industry. They called on lawmakers to be proactive participants rather than indirect observers of the music industry's health.
With the KMA festival slated to take place from May 2-3 at the Hyundai Card Understage, fans eagerly look forward to witnessing live performances by the celebrated artists, illustrating the fusion of recognition and artistic celebration within the industry.
Overall, the KMA not only honored excellence but also served as a pivotal platform for discussing significant industry challenges, heralding the need for collaborative efforts toward sustainable practices for future generations of artists.