Korean Music Awards
The Korean Music Awards is an annual South Korean music awards show that honors both mainstream and underground musical artists from a variety of genres. Unlike other major South Korean music awards, which largely rely on record sales to determine winners, the Korean Music Awards distributes awards based on the recommendations of a panel of judges consisting of music critics, radio show producers, academics, and other professionals within the industry. The first Korean Music Awards was held in 2004.
Categories
The event currently has approximately 20 categories, including the Musician of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and genre awards in pop, rock, modern rock, metal & hardcore, folk, dance & electronic, hip hop, R&B & soul, and jazz & crossover music.Musician of the Year (Grand Prize)
Note: The award for Musician of the Year was divided into Male, Female and Group awards from 2004 to 2007.Album of the Year (Grand Prize)
Song of the Year (Grand Prize)
| Bout | Year | Winner | Song |
| 17th | 2020 | Jannabi | "For Lovers Who Hesitate" |
| 16th | 2019 | BTS | "Fake Love" |
| 15th | 2018 | Hyukoh | "Tomboy" |
| 14th | 2017 | Bolbbalgan4 | "Galaxy" |
| 13th | 2016 | Big Bang | "Bae Bae" |
| 12th | 2015 | So-you & Junggigo | "Some" |
| 11th | 2014 | Cho Yong-pil | "Bounce" |
| 10th | 2013 | Psy | "Gangnam Style" |
| 9th | 2012 | IU | "Good Day" |
| 8th | 2011 | Hot Potato | "Confession" |
| 7th | 2010 | Girls' Generation | "Gee" |
| 6th | 2009 | Kiha & The Faces | "Cheap Coffee" |
| 5th | 2008 | Lee Juck | "It's Fortunate" |
| 4th | 2007 | Lee Han-chul | "Superstar" |
| 3rd | 2006 | Yoon Do-hyun | "It Must Have Been Love" |
| 2nd | 2005 | Cho PD | "Friend" |
| 1st | 2004 | Loveholics | "Loveholic" |
Rookie of the Year
Genre Awards
Best Pop Album
Best Pop Song
Best Rock Album
Best Rock Song
Best Modern Rock Album
Best Modern Rock Song
Best Metal & Hardcore Album
Best Folk Album
Best Folk Song
Best Dance & Electronic Album
Best Dance & Electronic Song
Best Hip Hop Album
Best Hip Hop Song
Best R&B & Soul Album
Best R&B & Soul Song
Best Jazz & Crossover Album
Best Jazz & Crossover Song
Best Jazz & Crossover Performance
Best Movie/TV Album Soundtrack
Popularity Awards
Group Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Female Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Male Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Rock Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Modern Rock Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Hip Hop Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Pop Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Dance & Electronic Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
R&B & Soul Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Jazz & Crossover Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Special awards
Committee Choice Special Award
Achievement Award
Record Label of the Year
| Bout | Year | Winner |
| 3rd | 2006 | Pastel Music |
| 2nd | 2005 | Cavare Sound / JNH |
| 1st | 2004 | Fluxus Music |
General references
- 2019 winners: Kim, Su-jeong. "". No Cut News.. Retrieved 2018-02-27/
- 2018 winners: Jang Jin-ri. "'". Osen.. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
- 2017 winners: Park, Su-jeong. . The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- 2016 winners: Jeong Yu-jin. "]. Osen. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- 2015 winners: Kwon, Seok-jeong. . Ten Asia. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- 2014 winners: Yang Eun-ha. . News1 Korea. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- 2013 winners: Seo Jeong-min. . The Hankyoreh. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- 2012 winners: Seo Jeong-min. . The Hankyoreh. Retrieved 2018-02-25.