Global K-pop fandoms are once again in motion as voting for the 35th Seoul Music Awards enters a new phase. With the first round of fan voting concluded, the second round has officially begun, signaling a shift in momentum across multiple categories.
Early tallies have already outlined a competitive landscape. In the Bonsang (Main Award) category, ONF leads the rankings, followed closely by Stray Kids and G-Dragon. TOMORROW X TOGETHER and MONSTA X continue to maintain strong positions, reflecting steady fan support.
In the Popularity Award, where fan voting carries decisive weight, Lee Chan-won holds the top spot. BTS and Lim Young-woong are close behind, fueled by powerful global fandoms.
In the Hallyu Special Award category, BTS leads in votes, with G-Dragon and XODIAC forming the upper tier. Meanwhile, rookie group ALPHA DRIVE ONE has taken first place in the Rookie Award category, drawing attention as a rising contender.
The K-POP WORLD CHOICE category highlights generational fandom strength. In the group division, EXO and Super Junior rank high, while Baekhyun leads the solo division. Yeonjun and Jimin follow closely, indicating a tight race.
Newly introduced categories have also produced notable results. In the Golden Revival Award, EXO’s “First Snow” leads, followed by WOODZ with “Drowning” and DAY6 with “Time of Our Life.” In the New Icon Award, D.O. has taken the lead.
Among genre-specific awards, the Trot category stands out as one of the most competitive. Lee Chan-won remains in first place, while Lim Young-woong and Young Tak continue their pursuit, setting up a high-stakes battle for the top.
In the Rock/Ballad category, Lee Mujin leads, with Jung Seung-hwan and Hwasa competing in the upper ranks.
The R&B/Hip-Hop category is currently led by G-Dragon, followed by Stray Kids and TREASURE. In the OST category, Stray Kids’ Han tops the chart with “Upward Trend.”
The second round of voting will continue through April 30, with the final round scheduled to begin in early May. Each round runs from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Award criteria vary by category. Major awards combine judges’ evaluations, album and digital performance, and fan voting, while some categories rely entirely on fan votes, making fandom participation a decisive factor.
The 35th Seoul Music Awards will take place on June 20 at Inspire Arena in Incheon. Nominees were selected from works released between January 2025 and March 2026.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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