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The 40th Golden Disc Awards made history on January 10, 2026 at Taipei Dome. For the first time in the award show's four-decade history, soloists swept the newly expanded Daesang categories in a way that signals a fundamental power shift in K-pop.
Jennie claimed the brand-new Artist of the Year Daesang, becoming the first soloist to win the award in its inaugural year. G-Dragon won Digital Song of the Year for "HOME SWEET HOME" (featuring BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung). Meanwhile, Rosé secured a Digital Song Bonsang for "toxic till the end," and both Jennie and G-Dragon also took home Album Bonsangs.
Jennie's Triple Crown
Jennie closed the ceremony with a sizzling three-song performance of "Filter," "Damn Right," and "Like JENNIE" that had the 40,000-capacity Taipei Dome on its feet. The surprise came immediately after, when presenter Byeon Woo-seok handed her the Artist of the Year trophy before she'd even caught her breath.
"My makeup is ruined," Jennie joked as she took the stage, still glistening with sweat from her performance. She walked away with three awards total: Artist Daesang, Digital Song Bonsang for "Like JENNIE," and the Global Impact Award.
The Artist of the Year Daesang, introduced for the first time at the 40th Golden Disc Awards, weighs both digital and physical performance (60%) alongside expert evaluation (40%). That Jennie won it in its debut year -- over established groups with stronger physical sales -- speaks to her crossover power between digital dominance and critical respect.
Her debut solo album "Ruby" has been a commercial juggernaut since its October 2024 release. Lead single "Mantra" became a global hit, while "Like JENNIE" demonstrated her ability to create viral moments that transcend typical K-pop promotional cycles.
G-Dragon's Comeback Validated
G-Dragon's Digital Song of the Year win for "HOME SWEET HOME" marks a remarkable return for the K-pop legend. The song, released November 22, 2024, was his first new music in seven years and featured a reunion with BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung that sent shockwaves through the industry.
"HOME SWEET HOME" hit number one on the Circle Digital Chart immediately upon release, proving G-Dragon's enduring relevance despite his extended hiatus. The mid-tempo pop-rock track explores themes of reconnection, with lyrics like "I said I would be back / I'd never let you go" that resonated with fans who'd waited nearly a decade for new BIGBANG content.
The song's victory represents more than nostalgia -- it's validation that legacy artists can compete with current chart-toppers when they deliver quality material. G-Dragon accepted the award via video, but his Album Bonsang win for "Übermensch" demonstrated his dual success as both a digital and physical force.
His 2025 "Übermensch" world tour sold out stadiums globally, and the Golden Disc Awards recognition comes as BIGBANG approaches their 20th anniversary in 2026, with G-Dragon already teasing a full group concert and Coachella performance.
Rosé's Solo Power
Rosé rounded out the soloist dominance with her Digital Song Bonsang for "toxic till the end," continuing her streak as one of the most successful BLACKPINK solo acts. The song demonstrated her ability to craft emotionally resonant pop that connects across demographics.
What makes the 2026 Golden Disc Awards' soloist sweep particularly significant is the context. Traditionally, group acts dominate both digital and physical categories due to organized fanbases and coordinated album-buying campaigns. The Album Daesang went to Stray Kids for "KARMA" -- a group with one of K-pop's most dedicated global fandoms -- but the other two Daesangs went to soloists.
Why 2025 Was The Soloist's Year
Several factors converged to make 2025 the year soloists could finally compete with -- and beat -- established groups at major award shows.
First, the maturation of streaming as the dominant music consumption format levels the playing field. Groups still hold advantages in physical album sales, but digital streaming rewards individual song appeal over coordinated fandom efforts. Both Jennie and G-Dragon's wins came in categories heavily weighted toward digital performance.
Second, the BLACKPINK effect created a template for successful solo careers while maintaining group identity. All four members released solo material in 2024-2025, with Jennie and Rosé achieving commercial success that rivals BLACKPINK group releases.
Third, legacy artists like G-Dragon demonstrated that nostalgia combined with quality material can compete with current trends. "HOME SWEET HOME" topped charts not because it sounded like 2024's trending sounds, but because it delivered what G-Dragon does best.
What This Means For 2026
The ceremony's soloist dominance creates a roadmap for the year ahead. Expect more BLACKPINK members to double down on solo activities, more legacy soloists to attempt comebacks, and more established groups to allow members solo opportunities.
BIGBANG's 20th anniversary activities will test whether G-Dragon's solo success translates to group revival. For Jennie, the Artist of the Year Daesang positions her as K-pop's most commercially successful active female soloist.
Groups will of course continue to be K-pop's foundation, but it's increasingly looking like individual artists can now achieve the industry's highest honors without needing five, seven, or thirteen members behind them.