(From left) G-Dragon and Jennie during their respective performances at the 2025 Melon Music Awards in Seoul, South Korea, December 20, 2025. Screenshots from Melon on YouTube
K-pop superstar G-Dragon swept three of the four grand prizes at the 2025 Melon Music Awards, while Blackpink's Jennie claimed the remaining top honor, capping a star-studded night of music and spectacle.
Organized annually by Kakao Entertainment, the Melon Music Awards is one of K-pop's major year-end ceremonies. The 2025 edition was held Saturday at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul and livestreamed worldwide on YouTube.
By the end of the five-hour event, G-Dragon had claimed three of the four "Daesang" (Grand Prizes), winning Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for "Home Sweet Home" (featuring fellow BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung), and Album of the Year for "Übermensch."
Released in February, "Übermensch" is the 37-year-old rapper's third studio album and his first musical release in seven years, following the 2018 extended play "Kwon Ji Yong."
In total, G-Dragon, who began his career with BIGBANG and is often dubbed the "King of K-pop," took home seven awards, including Best Solo - Male and Best Songwriter. He was also named among the Top 10 and Millions Top 10 recipients.
G-Dragon also served as the evening's final performer, energizing the venue with "Power," "Home Sweet Home" and "Too Bad" from "Übermensch."
He closed his set with his 2013 hit “Crooked,” joining the other artists, mostly newer K-pop idols, who were visibly enjoying the performance from their seats. During the song, he also briefly handed the mic to fellow rapper-producer Zico and Taesan of BOYNEXTDOOR.
Meanwhile, Jennie, who also had a standout year with her debut album "Ruby" and its hit single "Like Jennie," took home the Record of the Year.
The Blackpink star also delivered a mesmerizing performance of "Seoul City," "Zen" and "Like Jennie," accompanied by a troupe of dancers.
One of the most anticipated performances of the night came from boy group EXO, who returned to an awards show stage after several years and ahead of their expected album release in early 2026.
Members Suho, Chanyeol, D.O., Kai and Sehun performed "Monster," "The Eve," "Love Shot" and "Growl" before premiering their new song "Back It Up."
Rap star Jay Park also took the stage, bringing along several artists, including fellow rappers from H1GHR MUSIC and "Body" hitmaker Dayoung. He also introduced his upcoming boy group LNGSHOT, who performed their song "Saucin'."
Alpha Drive One, a boy group formed through the popular survival show "Boys II Planet," opened the awards show with "Hola Solar" and their pre-debut track "Formula."
Below is the list of winners:
Artist of the Year (Daesang): G-Dragon
Song of the Year (Daesang): G-Dragon, "Home Sweet Home" (feat. Taeyang, Daesung)
KakaoBank Album of the Year (Daesang): G-Dragon, "Übermensch"
Record of the Year (Daesang): Jennie
Best Group - Female: IVE
Best Group - Male: BOYNEXTDOOR
Best Solo - Female: Rosé
Best Solo - Male: G-Dragon
Best Performance - Female: ILLIT
Best Performance - Male: RIIZE
New Artist of the Year: Allday Project, Hearts2Hearts
Best Music Video: KiiiKiii, "I Do Me"
Best Producer: Zico
Best Songwriter: G-Dragon
Best OST: HUNTR/X, "Golden" (from "KPop Demon Hunters")
Best Pop Artist: Ed Sheeran
Best Music Style: 10CM, Allday Project
Stage of the Year: aespa
Top 10: Rosé, Lim Young-woong, Jennie, aespa, BOYNEXTDOOR, G-Dragon, IVE, NCT Wish, PLAVE, RIIZE
Millions Top 10: Rosé, "Rosie"; SEVENTEEN, "Happy Burstday"; IU, "A Flower Bookmark 3"; Lim Youngwoong, "IM HERO 2"; Jennie, "Ruby"; BOYNEXTDOOR, "No Genre"; G-Dragon, "Übermensch"; IVE, "IVE Empathy"; PLAVE, "Caligo Pt. 1"; RIIZE, "Odyssey"
Global Artist: aespa
1theK Global Icon: KiiiKiii
Hot Trend: WOODZ
KakaoBank Everyone's Star: NCT Wish
Global Rising Artist: IDID
Berriz Global Fans' Choice: Hearts2Hearts
TrackZero Choice: Hanroro, "Goodbye, My Summer"
J-Pop Favorite Artist: Kenshi Yonezu
Japan Favorite Artist by U-NEXT: BOYNEXTDOOR