BLACKPINK Becomes First K-Pop Girl Group to Receive Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit

Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa thanked BLINKs after receiving the government honor during their tenth anniversary year.

BLACKPINK has become the first K-pop girl group to receive the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit, adding a government honor to a career that has taken its music and performances around the world. Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa were recognized at the 17th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, held at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Grand Theater in Seoul on October 29.

The members were unable to attend because of scheduling commitments, with a representative accepting the honor on their behalf. Through YG Entertainment, which manages BLACKPINK’s group activities, they expressed their gratitude to the public and to the fans who have supported them throughout their career.

BLACKPINK Thanks BLINKs for Their Support

The group said it was happy and honored to receive the meaningful recognition, thanking listeners who have embraced its music and BLINKs who have consistently stood beside the members. BLACKPINK also pledged to continue making music that offers comfort and moves audiences.

The honor comes in the group’s tenth anniversary year. Since debuting in 2016, BLACKPINK has built a catalog that includes “Whistle,” “Playing With Fire,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” “Pink Venom,” “Shut Down” and “JUMP,” connecting its early releases with a continuing international career.

The award recognizes all four members, bringing their shared identity as BLACKPINK to the center of a year that has also included individual activities.

A Government Honor for Contributions to Popular Culture

The Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards recognize contributions to the development of the country’s popular culture and entertainment industry. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s October 29 announcement lists Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa among this year’s cultural-order recipients.

BLACKPINK’s milestone is specifically the first Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit awarded to a K-pop girl group. It places the members within a government honors program that recognizes artists and industry figures across music, acting, broadcasting and other creative fields.

Their recognition follows years of international releases and touring, with their group performances remaining a central part of BLACKPINK’s public identity.

‘DEADLINE’ Adds Another Chapter to Their Tenth Anniversary Year

BLACKPINK’s third mini-album, “DEADLINE,” recorded first-week sales of 1,774,577 copies on Hanteo, according to YG’s announcement, setting a new first-week record for a K-pop girl group.

The group also completed its “DEADLINE” world tour, which spanned 33 performances across 16 cities. Those activities brought the four members together for an extended live project, complementing the new album and the individual work they have pursued alongside BLACKPINK.

The cultural honor adds a different kind of recognition to those commercial and touring achievements. In their response, however, the members returned to the relationship behind their career: the listeners who have followed their music and the fans whose support has continued across a decade.

Editor’s Note: BLACKPINK’s cultural activities in 2026 also included an official collaboration with the National Museum of Korea. The museum announced a “DEADLINE” listening zone, pink exterior lighting and member-recorded audio introductions to eight artifacts. Jisoo and Jennie participated in Korean, Rosé in English and Lisa in Thai, providing a documented example of the group’s work connecting its international audience with Korean cultural heritage.