2025 Korean Music Awards Nominees Announced, aespa and Danpyeonseon Sunganddeul Receive Multiple Nominations

On February 6, 2026, the selection committee for the Korean Music Awards announced the nominees for each category in the 2025 ceremony. Now in its 22nd year, the Korean Music Awards selected a variety of artists who were active in the pop music industry throughout 2024. The group that received the most attention was aespa. Building on the outstanding success of their first studio album “Armageddon,” aespa was nominated in a total of 5 categories. They were nominated for “Album of the Year” and “Best K-Pop Album” with “Armageddon,” and for “Song of the Year” and “Best Pop Song” with their hit track “Supernova.” Their nomination even extended to “Artist of the Year,” symbolizing aespa’s new chapter in 2024. Meanwhile, the indie band Danpyeonseon Sunganddeul became the artist with the most nominations at this ceremony. Formed in 2024 after the breakup of Danpyeonseon and Seonwoneul, Danpyeonseon Sunganddeul was nominated in 6 categories based on their album “Sound of Abundance” released the previous year and its tracks. Specifically, they were nominated for “Album of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” “Artist of the Year,” “Best Modern Rock Album,” “Best Rock Song,” and “Best Modern Rock Song.” Shin Hyeon-tae, a member of the selection committee, explained why “Sound of Abundance” was chosen by saying, “Its conceptual and abstract musical approach is filled with pure energy, along with strong messages and a spirit of experimentation as a musical artisan.” In addition, Lee Seung-yoon was nominated in 4 categories for his album “Yeokseong,” Sumin and Sloom were nominated in 4 categories for “MINISERIES 2,” and the band Silica Gel was nominated in 3 categories. Silica Gel, which won three awards at the 2024 Korean Music Awards, was again nominated in key categories this year. Rosé and Bruno Mars, who captivated the world with “APT.,” were also included on the list of nominees for 3 categories. In the classical rock genre, Kim Su-chul’s song “Neoneun Eodie” was nominated for “Best Rock Song.” This track, included in his album commemorating 45 years of career, was praised as a work that showcases Kim Su-chul’s unique musical style by integrating dazzling rock techniques with the essence of Korean traditional music into pop music. In the heavy music genre, the album “Moribund” by Piccondayson was nominated for “Best Metal & Hardcore Album,” and the album “Naeui Yeoreumeun Ajik An Kkeutnaesseo” by Yoon Seok-chul Trio was nominated for “Best Jazz Performance.” The 2025 Korean Music Awards will be broadcast online at 8 p.m. on February 27 via the Korean Music Awards YouTube channel and PRIZM LIVE.