K-Pop Icons Including IU, Lee Jung-jae, and ATEEZ Honored at 2025 Newsis K-Hallyu Expo

At the 7th Newsis K-Hallyu Expo (2025 K-Expo), held on the 28th at Lotte Hotel in Seoul, stars representing K-Hallyu won awards across various categories. IU received the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for her Netflix drama “Pokssak Sokasuda,” while actor Lee Jung-jae earned the Minister of Foreign Affairs Award for his roles in “Squid Game” seasons 2 and 3. In the K-pop sector, group ATEEZ claimed the Seoul Mayor’s Award for achieving two number one positions on Billboard’s main album chart, the Billboard 200. Groups P1Harmony and STAYC received the Seoul City Council President’s Award, further solidifying their status as key figures in K-Hallyu. Rising group LE SSERAFIM also won the Special K-Hallyu Award. Park Cheon-hyu, the writer of the musical “Maybe a Happy Ending,” received the Seoul Mayor’s Award; he is also the first Korean to win a Tony Award in the United States. K-drama actors Lee Jun-hyuk and Lee Joo-bin were honored with the Chairman of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Award. The newly established Global Netizen Award was divided into three categories, with Zhang Hao of group ZEROBASEONE winning for the OST of “Hwansung Yeonae 3,” and group AHOPE taking home the Next Ikon Award. The Trot Star Award went to Lee Chan-won. Companies driving K-Hallyu also received numerous awards. CJ Olive Young got the Deputy Prime Minister of Economy Award, Musinsa received the Seoul Mayor’s Award, and Huons Meditec won the Seoul City Council President’s Award. Deputy Prime Minister Ku Yoon-chul emphasized in his speech at the ceremony that “culture is the greatest driver of economic development” and added that “the influence of those who create K-Hallyu is far greater than selling hundreds of cars.” Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young pledged to “proactively support cultural artists so they can showcase their talents on the world stage.” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that “Seoul will also contribute to making South Korea a true cultural powerhouse” and stressed his commitment to “making Seoul a city full of charm.”