Some of K-Pop’s biggest names and rising stars were honored at the 14th annual Melon Music Awards 2023. The Kakao Entertainment event took place at the INSPIRE Arena in Incheon. The South Korean music industry’s most prominent stars and groups like NewJeans and BTS received accolades at the show, followed by some electrifying performances. Let’s take a look at all the winners and key takeaways from the Melon Music Awards 2023.
Highlights of Melon Music Awards 2023
The night undoubtedly belonged to NewJeans as the girl group won a total of five awards including big ones like the Daesangs for Artist of the Year and Best Song of the Year. K-Pop boy group NCT Dream took home four awards including a Daesang for Record of the Year. Other significant winners include IVE and BTS.
According to Kakao Entertainment, the Melon Music Awards 2023 follow a combination of online voting, digital sales and judges’ scores to pick their winners for musical work released between November 4, 2022 and November 1, 2023.
#BTS have won over 40 prizes at the Melon Music Awards and are the most awarded artist in MMAs history!💪🍈🎶🏆✖️4⃣0⃣🔥🐐👑👑👑👑👑👑👑💜
BTS MMAs 2023
Top 10 Artist (Bonsang) – #BTS
KakaoBank Favorite Artist – #BTS
Top 10 Artist (Bonsang) – #Jungkook
Best Solo (Male) -… pic.twitter.com/yGyZSJWaJ8— World Music Awards (@WORLDMUSICAWARD) December 3, 2023
The Top 10 Artists’ categories work without relying on the jury while the Record of the Year and some special awards depend entirely on judges’ scores. As a result, the awards strike a great balance between commercial success, public reception as well as critical acclaim.
Complete List of MMA Winners
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Daesang – Artist of the Year | NewJeans |
| Daesang – Album of the Year | IVE’s “I’ve IVE” |
| Daesang – Record of the Year | NCT DREAM |
| Daesang – Best Song of the Year | NewJeans’ “Ditto” |
| New Artist of the Year | RIIZE, ZEROBASEONE |
| Top 10 Artists (Bonsang) | aespa, BTS, (G)I-DLE, IVE, Jungkook (BTS), LE SSERAFIM, Lim Young Woong, NCT DREAM, NewJeans, SEVENTEEN |
| Millions Top 10 | BSS (SEVENTEEN), aespa, (G)I-DLE, IVE, Jungkook (BTS), LE SSERAFIM, Lim Young Woong, NCT DREAM, NewJeans, SEVENTEEN |
| Best Group (Male) | NCT DREAM |
| Best Group (Female) | NewJeans |
| Best Solo Artist (Male) | Jungkook (BTS) |
| Best Solo Artist (Female) | Lee Young Ji |
| Best Performance (Male) | SEVENTEEN |
| Best Performance (Female) | aespa |
| Stage of the Year | SHINee |
| Music Video of the Year | STAYC’s “Bubble” |
| Hot Trend Award | Jungkook (BTS) |
| KakaoBank Favorite Artist | BTS |
| Global Artist | aespa |
| Global Rising Artist | BOYNEXTDOOR |
| 1theK Global Icon | KISS OF LIFE |
| Best OST | Lim Jae Hyun’s “Heaven (2023)” (from “It Was Spring”) |
| Best Songwriter | Ryan Jhun |
| Best Producer | Han Sung Soo |
| Best Music Style | Silica Gel |
| Best Pop Artist | Charlie Puth |
| J-Pop Favorite Artist | imase |
