G-DRAGON Honored with Cultural Merit Medal for Contributions to Korean Pop Culture

G-DRAGON, the renowned South Korean singer, has been officially recognized by the South Korean government for his contributions to the development of Korean pop culture and the global spread of the Korean Wave by receiving the Ok-gwan Order of Cultural Merit.

On October 23, G-DRAGON was awarded the prestigious medal alongside voice actor Bae Han-sung and the late Jeon Yoo-sung at the 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards held at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, the Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards is the highest government accolade in the field of popular culture and arts. It aims to boost the pride of cultural artists and elevate the social status of the cultural arts industry. The selection process involved a comprehensive review of candidates' contributions, duration of service, and social impact by a panel of experts.

The Ok-gwan Order of Cultural Merit, awarded to G-DRAGON, is given to individuals who have made significant national and social contributions across various fields such as performance, broadcasting, and the arts. As the youngest recipient, G-DRAGON has solidified his status in Korean pop culture.

In his acceptance speech, G-DRAGON shared, "When I was six, my mother took me to an audition. Since that day, I've been dreaming the same dream. In my teens, I achieved my dream of becoming a singer, in my twenties, I received awards, and now in my thirties, I've received the Order of Cultural Merit. I'm very excited for my forties."

He continued, "I idolized singers as a child, and I still do. I'm proud to be a singer and love what I do. The seniors who inspired me were like shining stars every night. I grew up listening to their songs, and now I've become one of those stars. Next year marks the 20th anniversary of BIGBANG, and I want to share this honor with my members."

G-DRAGON also expressed, "Knowing exactly what to show on stage and ensuring the audience sees what I want to convey is crucial. I believe music's power lies in its ability to be felt even without language. I want to be remembered as an artist who established a unique style, regardless of era or generation."

He concluded with a heartfelt message, "I often say 'Good night, sweet dreams' before bed. Those words have the power to move hearts. Good dreams eventually become reality and inspire new dreams. Even if they don't come true, dreaming makes life shine. I hope everyone has sweet dreams tonight."

Meanwhile, G-DRAGON has been appointed as an ambassador for the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, promoting South Korea on the global stage. He is also set to embark on a world tour, 'G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch],' reaching audiences across Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

Ryu Yeji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr