Late singer Shin Hae-chul, BLACKPINK among 10 to receive cultural merit
The late singer Shin Hae-chul, comedian Yoo Jae-suk, singer Han Young-ae and K-pop girl group BLACKPINK will be awarded national cultural merits Thursday in recognition of their contributions to Korean pop culture. In total, 36 individuals and groups will receive the Order of Cultural Merit and official commendations at the 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, according to the Ministry of…
Late singer Shin Hae-chul, alongside comedian Yoo Jae-suk, vocalist Han Young-ae and K-pop girl group BLACKPINK, will be honored with cultural merits on Thursday. The 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards will bestow the Order of Cultural Merit and official commendations on 36 individuals and groups. This marks the 17th year of the ceremony, held at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, and is the government's highest recognition for pop culture artists.
This year, ten recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit will join seven who receive presidential commendations, eight for the prime minister's commendation, and eleven for the culture minister's commendation. Shin Hae-chul, who passed away in 2014, will be posthumously awarded the Eungwan (Silver) Order of Cultural Merit for his role in promoting Korean rock music.
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