The K-pop award season is set to begin this month with KGMA, followed by the MAMA and MMA Awards. The 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA) is happening in over a week. The two-day event will bring together many K-pop stars under one roof for some memorable performances.
It returns for the second year to honor the best Korean artists, songs, and albums of 2025. The 2025 edition is being held under the theme “LINK to K-POP.” This concept shows how K-pop links songs, generations, fan cultures, and genres under one roof. It is also about celebrating how K-pop connects people around the world, from longtime fans to those discovering new artists.
2025 KGMA Date and Venue
The 2025 KGMA will take place over two days on November 14 and 15, 2025, at the stunning Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea. Located in Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, this state-of-the-art venue near Incheon International Airport is built to handle events of a global scale — perfect for a show as massive as this one.
How to Watch KGMA 2025 Live
Fans in South Korea can catch the live broadcast on ENA, while international fans won’t be left out. The entire KGMA 2025 ceremony will be streamed live worldwide on TikTok. This global streaming partnership makes sure that anyone, anywhere, can join the excitement in real time.
For even more access, keep an eye on the official KGMA website and the event’s social media channels. They will feature pre-show interviews, behind-the-scenes clips, and special content leading up to the main nights.
KGMA 2025 Hosts and Presenters
Actress Nam Ji Hyun (Suspicious Partner, Good Partner), will serve as the main MC for both days. She will be joined by Irene from Red Velvet on Day 1 (November 14) and Natty from KISS OF LIFE on Day 2 (November 15).
The presenter lineup includes a mix of top actors and idols, including
- Byeon Woo Seok
- Ahn Hyo Seop
- Lee Se Young
- Sooyoung from Girls’ Generation
- Choo Young Woo
- Kang Tae Oh
- Gong Seung Yeon
- Um Tae Goo
- Jung Jun Won
- Moon Chae Won
- Ong Seong Wu,
- Kim Doyeon
- Kim Yo Han
- Yeonwo
- Shin Seung Ho
- Bae Hyun Sung
- Kwon Yul
- Ha Young
- Kim Min Seok
- Lee Seol
- Park Se Wan
- Kim Dam
- Lee Yul Eum
- Choi Yoon Ji
- Yoon Ga Yi
- Chae Seo An
- Lee Ju Yeon
2025 Korea Grand Music Awards Lineup
The performance lineup is packed with some of K-pop’s biggest names and exciting newcomers.
Day 1 (November 14)
- THE BOYZ, ATEEZ, BOYNEXTDOOR, xikers, CRAVITY, FIFTY FIFTY, and Xdinary Heroes.
- Solo and trot performances from WOODZ, Dayoung, Park Seo Jin, and Lee Chan Won.
- Rookie stages from MEOVV, ALLDAY PROJECT, KiiiKiii, and SMTR25.
Day 2 (November 15)
- Stray Kids, IVE, BTOB, and fromis_9 as headliners.
- Performances by EXO’s Suho, KISS OF LIFE, P1Harmony, UNIS, and NEXZ.
- Band and trot acts like LUCY and Jang Minho
- Fresh faces, including AHOF, IDID, Close Your Eyes, KickFlip, and Hearts2Hearts.
Organizers have teased that each artist is preparing exclusive, never-before-seen performances. Some special collaboration stages will blend genres like K-pop, band, and trot.
Awards and Voting
The Korea Grand Music Awards recognizes both artistry and popularity. The top honors — the Grand Prizes (Daesangs) — include categories such as Grand Artist, Grand Performer, Grand Record, Grand Song, and Grand Honor’s Choice.
Winners are chosen based on a mix of expert jury evaluations, digital music data, album sales, and fan votes.
Other awards highlight specific genres like Best Hip-Hop and Best OST, along with Popularity Awards determined entirely by fan voting. Fans can continue to cast their votes through the FanCast app. It also determines certain categories like “Trend of the Year” and Rookie awards.
Tickets and Fan Access
While full ticket details are still being finalized, domestic and international ticketing will be available through official platforms and fan club pre-sales.
Fans traveling from abroad should keep an eye on KGMA’s official site and social media for ticket release updates, seating details, and travel tips. Since Incheon being so close to the airport, it’s a convenient location for overseas attendees — but tickets are expected to sell fast.