BLACKPINK’s Jennie and AKMU’s Lee Chan-hyuk Earn Five Nominations Each at Korean Music Awards

BLACKPINK’s Jennie and AKMU’s Lee Chan-hyuk have emerged as two of the most prominent artists at this year’s Korean Music Awards, each earning five nominations across major categories.

Jennie Recognized for ‘Ruby’ Era

The Korean Music Awards selection committee announced the nominees for the 23rd Korean Music Awards on February 5 via the ceremony’s official YouTube channel. The annual event is widely regarded as one of Korea’s most respected music awards, known for its critic-driven evaluation rather than commercial metrics.

Jennie was nominated in five categories for her solo album ‘Ruby’, released in March last year. The album is up for Album of the Year and Best K-pop Album, while its title track ‘Like JENNIE’ received nominations for Song of the Year and Best K-pop Song. Jennie herself was also named a contender for Musician of the Year.

The nominations highlight the critical reception of ‘Ruby’, which marked a defining chapter in Jennie’s solo career and showcased her musical identity beyond group activities.

Lee Chan-hyuk’s ‘EROS’ Gains Critical Acclaim

Lee Chan-hyuk matched Jennie’s tally with five nominations of his own. His second full-length album ‘EROS’, released in July last year, was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Album. The track ‘Endangered Love’ earned nods for Song of the Year and Best Pop Song, while Lee was also shortlisted for Musician of the Year. The recognition reflects Lee’s reputation for pushing artistic boundaries and delivering concept-driven projects that resonate strongly with critics.

NMIXX Makes History Among Idol Groups

Among idol groups, NMIXX stood out with a historic achievement. Two of the group’s albums ‘Fe3O4: FORWARD’ and ‘Blue Valentine’ were both nominated in the Best K-pop Album category, marking the first time a single act has placed two albums in the same category.

‘Blue Valentine’ also received nominations for Song of the Year, Best K-pop Song, and Musician of the Year, further solidifying the group’s growing critical presence.

Rapper EPI Leads With Most Nominations

Rapper EPI received the highest number of nominations this year, appearing in six categories. His work earned recognition in Album of the Year, Best Electronic Album, Best Rap & Hip-Hop Album, Best Electronic Song, Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song, and Musician of the Year.

Ceremony Details

The 2026 Korean Music Awards will be held on February 26 at 8 p.m. KST, in partnership with the Kakao Creative Foundation. The ceremony will be livestreamed through the Korean Music Awards and Melon YouTube channels.