After a long period of silence, G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong) returned not with music, but with an honor. On October 23, at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, he was awarded the Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order of Cultural Merit during the 2025 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
Wearing his medal with a faint smile, G-Dragon stepped up to the microphone. “I remember holding my mother’s hand when I first auditioned at six years old. In my teens, I dreamed of being a singer; in my twenties, I was honored with citations; and now, in my thirties, I’ve received this medal.”
Though brief, his speech reflected the weight of his years — a quiet confidence built through endurance at the center of popular culture. He added, “Next year marks the 20th anniversary of BIGBANG’s debut, and I want to share this honor with my bandmates and our fans.”
Once hailed as a symbol of K-Pop itself, G-Dragon has long blurred the boundaries between music, fashion, and art. After years away from the spotlight, this ceremony marked his true return to public life. His comeback was understated but assured. “The pause is over,” he said in an interview. “It’s time to write a new sentence.” The remark carried a quiet conviction — a sign that G-Dragon was once again ready to reclaim his place at the heart of Korean pop culture.
The Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order of Cultural Merit is the third-highest of five cultural orders presented by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the advancement of popular culture and the arts. This year’s honorees also included veteran voice actor Bae Han-sung and the late comedian Jeon Yu-sung.
G-Dragon’s recognition stands as more than a personal honor. It signifies a turning point — a moment when a first-generation K-Pop idol transitions from pop phenomenon to a figure of cultural legacy. Even beyond the stage, he continues to redraw the map of contemporary Korean art and entertainment in his own rhythm.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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