The Seoul Music Awards (; SMA) is a major South Korean music awards show presented by the newspaper Sports Seoul. The award winners are selected based on a combination of criteria, including music sales, popular votes, and expert judges' opinions.

The annual ceremony was first held in 1990, when the Grand Prize was awarded to singer Byun Jin-sub. Boy group BTS is the most-awarded artist, having won 28 awards; they are also tied with Exo for the most Grand Prizes won, with four each.

Categories The Grand Prize (also known as the Daesang) is typically awarded to one musical act, with the exception of the 9th awards ceremony, when the Grand Prize was shared by H.O.T. and Sechs Kies, and the 10th awards ceremony, when it was shared by Jo Sung-mo and Fin.K.L. Additionally, at the 29th awards ceremony, two Grand Prizes were awarded: the Album Daesang, which went to BTS, and the Digital Daesang, which went to Taeyeon.

Main Prizes (also known as Bonsang) are given to several musical acts. The winner of the Popularity Award is determined by domestic viewers' votes, while the winner of the K-Wave Special Award is determined by overseas viewers' votes.

Ceremonies EditionYearDate of ceremonyCityVenueHosts 7th 1996December 5, 1996SeoulUniversal Arts CenterLee Gye-jin, Choi Young-joon 8th 1997December 4, 1997Kim Seung-hyun, Kim Nam-joo 9th 1998December 18, 1998Kim Seung-hyun, Kim Hyun-joo 10th 1999December 14, 1999KBS 88 GymnasiumYoo Jung-hyun, Lee Seung-yeon 11th 2000December 6, 2000Central City Millennium HallYoo Jung-hyun, Kim So-yeon 12th 2001December 7, 2001Kyung Hee UniversityYoo Jung-hyun, Kim Jung-eun 13th 2002December 6, 2002 14th 2003December 12, 2003Yoo Jung-hyun, Sung Yu-ri 15th 2004December 10, 2004Shin Dong-yup, Han Ji-hye 16th 2006December 1, 2006GoyangKINTEXNam Hee-suk, Park Jung-ah 17th 2007January 31, 2008JeongseonKangwon Land High1 Grand HotelPark Jung-ah, Kim Sung-joo 18th 2008February 12, 2009TaebaekTaebaek Gowon GymnasiumPark Jung-ah, Jang Yoon-jeong, Shin Yeong-il 19th 2009February 3, 2010SeoulOlympic Fencing GymnasiumTak Jae-hoon, Uee 20th 2010January 20, 2011Kyung Hee UniversityShin Dong-yup, Tak Jae-hoon, Yuri 21st 2011January 19, 2012Olympic Gymnastics ArenaShin Hyun-joon, Tak Jae-hoon, Bae Suzy 22nd 2012January 31, 2013SK Olympic Handball GymnasiumTak Jae-hoon, Bae Suzy 23rd 2013January 23, 2014Jamsil ArenaSeo Kyung-seok, Eunhyuk, Jung Eun-ji 24th 2014January 22, 2015Olympic Gymnastics ArenaJun Hyun-moo, Leeteuk, Soyou 25th 2015January 14, 2016Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Hanee, Hani 26th 2016January 19, 2017Jamsil ArenaTak Jae-hoon, Kim Hee-chul, Jeon So-mi 27th 2017January 25, 2018Gocheok Sky DomeShin Dong-yup, Kim Hee-chul, Kim So-hyun 28th 2018January 15, 2019Shin Dong-yup, Kim Hee-chul, Kim So-hyun 29th 2019January 30, 2020Shin Dong-yup, Kim Hee-chul, Jo Bo-ah 30th 2020January 31, 2021Olympic Gymnastics ArenaShin Dong-yup, Kim Hee-chul, Choi Soo-young 31st 2021January 23, 2022Gocheok Sky DomeKim Sung-joo, Boom, Kim Seol-hyun 32nd 2022 January 19, 2023 KSPO Dome Kim Il-joong, Choi Min-ho, Mijoo 33rd 2023 January 2, 2024 Bangkok Rajamangala Stadium Lee Seung-gi, Tiffany, BamBam, Youngjae 34th 2025 June 21, 2025IncheonInspire Arena Kang Seung-yoon, Miyeon, Soobin 35th 2026 June 20, 2026 Leeteuk (Super Junior), Leesol (KiiiKiii), Park Gun-wook (Zerobaseone)

Grand Prize (Daesang)

Year Winners 2026 Ateez rowspan="6" 2025 I-dle 2023 NCT Dream 2022 2021 NCT 127 2020 BTS 2019 BTS (Album) Taeyeon (Digital) 2018 BTS rowspan="18" 2017 2016 Exo 2015 2014 2013 2012 Psy 2011 Super Junior 2010 Girls' Generation 2009 2008 Wonder Girls 2007 Big Bang 2006 TVXQ 2004 Shinhwa 2003 Lee Hyori 2002 BoA 2001 Kim Gun-mo 2000 Jo Sung-mo 1999 Fin.K.L 1998 H.O.T. Sechs Kies 1997 rowspan="8" 1996 Clon 1995 Roo'ra 1994 Kim Gun-mo 1993 Seo Taiji and Boys 1992 1991 Tae Jin-ah 1990 Byun Jin-sub

Main Prize (Bonsang) The list of winners are listed in alphanumeric order.

Year Winners 2026 2025 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

Edition Year Winners 19th 2009 18th 2008 17th 2007 16th 2006 15th 2004 14th 2003 13th 2002 12th 2001 11th 2000 10th 1999 9th 1998 8th 1997 7th 1996 6th 1995 5th 1994 4th 1993 3rd 1992 2nd 1991 1st 1990

Rookie of the Year Year Winners 2026 AHOF Alpha Drive One Close Your Eyes IDID 2025 Hearts2Hearts KickFlip KiiiKiii colspan="2" rowspan="12" 2023 Riize Zerobaseone 2022 Le Sserafim NewJeans TNX 2021 Lee Mu-Jin Epex Omega X 2020 Treasure Aespa Enhypen 2019TXTAB6IXItzy 2018Stray KidsIz*One 2017PristinChunghaWanna One 2016 NCT 127 I.O.I Blackpink 2015 Seventeen GFriend iKon 2014 Got7 Eddy Kim Red Velvet 2013 BTS Lim Kim Crayon Pop 2012 Exo Ailee B.A.P Lee Hi 2011 B1A4 Apink Boyfriend colspan="2" rowspan="9" 2010 The Boss Sistar CNBLUE 2009 Beast T-ara After School 2008 Davichi Mighty Mouth Shinee 2007 F.T. Island Girls' Generation Wonder Girls 2006 Super Junior SeeYa Brown Eyed Girls 2004 TVXQ Lee Seung-gi SG Wannabe 2003 Maya Se7en Big Mama 2002 Rizi Rain Wheesung 2001 Brown Eyes Sung Si-kyung Jadu Morning Bond To-ya 2000 Park Hwayobi J.ae colspan="3" 1999 Lee Jung-hyun Koyote Sharp Chae Jung-an 1998 NRG Jo Sungmo Kim Hyun-jung Yoo Ri 1997 Lee Ji-hoon Yangpa colspan="3" rowspan="8" 1996 Young Turks Club 1995 Sung Jin-woo Yook Gak-soo 1994 Go Bon-seung 1993 Choi Yeon-je 1992 Lee Deok-jin Seo Taiji and Boys 1991 Shim Shin Shin Seung-hun 1990 Kim Min-woo Shin Hae-chul

Best Album Year Winner Artist Album 2026 BoyNextDoor Zerobaseone 2025 Tomorrow X Together Minisode 3: Tomorrow Zerobaseone Blue Paradise 2023 Seventeen FML 2022 BTS Proof 2021 NCT Dream Hot Sauce 2020 BTS Map of the Soul: 7 2018 Love Yourself: Tear 2017 IU Palette 2016 BTS Wings 2015 BoA Kiss My Lips 2014 Beast Time 2013 Cho Yong-pil Hello 2012 G-Dragon One of A Kind 2011 IU Last Fantasy 2010 Psy PsyFive 2009 Drunken Tiger Feel gHood Muzik : The 8th Wonder 2008 Big Bang Remember 2007 Epik High Remapping the Human Soul

Best Song Year Winner Artist Title song 2026 Le Sserafim "Spaghetti" 2025 Tomorrow X Together "Deja Vu" 2023 NewJeans "OMG" 2022 Ive "Love Dive" 2021 IU "Lilac" 2020 BTS "Dynamite" 2018 iKon "Love Scenario" 2017 Yoon Jong-shin "Like It" 2016 Twice "Cheer Up" 2015 Big Bang "Bang Bang Bang" 2014 Soyou & Junggigo "Some" 2013 Exo "Growl" 2012 Sistar "Alone" 2011 T-ara "Roly Poly" 2010 IU "Good Day" 2009 Girls' Generation "Gee" 2008 Wonder Girls "Nobody" 2007 Big Bang "Lies"

Best Solo

Year Winner 2026Dayoung 2025Doyoung

Best Group

Year Winner 2026Zerobasone 2025 IllitNCT Wish

K-Pop World Choice

YearGroupSolo 2026 Super JuniorYeonjun 2025 BabymonsterYoung Tak

World Best Artist Award

Year Winner 2026 BoyNextDoorLe Sserafim 2025 AespaRosé 2023Blackpink 2022PSY 2021BTS

Genre-specific awards

R&B Hip-Hop Award YearAward name Winner 2026 R&B Hip-Hop Award BoyNextDoor 2025 RM 2023 Dynamic Duo 2022 Be'O Big Naughty 2021 Hyuna 2020 Jessi 2019 Kassy 2018 Drunken Tiger 2017 R&B Soul Award Suran 2016 Hip-Hop Award MOBB 2015 R&B Hip-Hop Award San E Hip-Hop Award 2014 Hip-Hop Award San E & Raina 2013 Dynamic Duo 2012 Double K 2011 Clover 2010 Supreme Team 2009 Drunken Tiger 2004 Bobby Kim 2002 YG Family R&B Award Lena Park 2001 Hip-Hop Award Drunken Tiger

Ballad Award YearAward name Winner 2026 Rock/Ballad Award Hanroro 2025 Ballad Award Hwang Karam 2023 Young K 2022 Younha 2021 Wendy 2020 Sandeul 2019 Kim Jae-hwan 2018 Im Chang-jung 2016 Baek A-yeon 2015 BtoB 2014 R&B Ballad Award K.Will 2013 2012 2011 4Men 2010 2AM 2009 Bobby Kim

Trot Award YearWinner 2026 Lee Chan-won 2025 Young Tak 2023 2022 2021 Lim Young-woong 2020 2019 Song Ga-in 2016 Tae Jin-ah 2015 Hong Jin-young 2010 Jang Yoon-jeong 2009 Park Hyun-bin Park Sang-chul 2008 Park Hyun-bin 2007 2006 Park Sang-chul, Park Hyun-bin, Song Dae-kwan, Tae Jin-ah, Hyun Suk, Kim Yong-im 2004 Jang Yoon-jeong 2002 Tae Jin-ah 2001 Tae Jin-ah, Hyun Suk 1999 Choi Yu-na, Tae Jin-ah 1998 Choi Yu-na

Performance Award Year Winners 2026 Izna Xikers 2025 Cravity Fifty Fifty 2023 Billlie rowspan="2" 2022 (G)I-DLE 2021 STAYC Enhypen 2020 (G)I-DLE The Boyz 2019 Ha Sung-woon rowspan="2" 2018 GFriend 2017 NCT 127 Mamamoo 2016 BTS Twice 2015 Monsta X Ailee 2014 Hyuna

Original Soundtrack Award Year Winner Song Drama 2026 Sung Han-bin "You Are Spring" Spring Fever OST 2025 Young Tak "Unpredictable Life" For Eagle Brothers OST 2023 Baekhyun "Hello" Dr. Romantic 3 OST 2022 MeloMance "Love, Maybe" Business Proposal OST 2021 Lim Young-woong "Love Always Run Away" Young Lady and Gentleman OST 2020 Jo Jung-suk "Aloha" Hospital Playlist OST 2019 Taeyeon "All About You" Hotel del Luna OST 2017 Ailee "I Will Go to You Like the First Snow" Goblin OST 2016 Gummy "You Are My Everything" Descendants of the Sun OST 2015 Jang Jae-in "Hallucination" Kill Me, Heal Me OST 2014 Lyn "My Destiny" My Love from the Star OST 2013 The One "Winter Love" That Winter, the Wind Blows OST 2012 Lee Jong-hyun "My Love" A Gentleman's Dignity OST 2011 Baek Ji-young "That Woman" Secret Garden OST 2006 Sweet Sorrow "No matter how I think about it" Alone in Love OST 2004 Jo Sung-mo "By Your Side" Lovers in Paris OST 2003 SBS Drama 'Strike' colspan="2" rowspan="3" 2002 Kang Seong 2001 Kim Tae-jeong

Band Award Year Winners 2026 Dragon Pony 2025 Wave to Earth 2023 Xdinary Heroes 2023 Jannabi 2020 Leenalchi 2019 Daybreak 2018 Crying Nut 2017 iamnot 2016 Kiha & The Faces

Popularity Award YearWinners 2026 Lee Chan-won 2025 2023 Kim Ho-joong 2022 Lim Young-woong 2021 2020 2019 Exo 2018 Shinee 2017 Taemin 2016 Shinee 2015 XIA 2014 Taemin 2013 Shinee B1A4 2012 Lee Seung-gi Shinee 2011 Girls' Generation Lee Seung-gi 2010 Shinee Girls' Generation 2009 2PM Super Junior 2008 Big Bang TVXQ 2007 Super Junior 2006 Super Junior TVXQ 2004 Shinhwa TVXQ 2001 Click-B Baby V.O.X. 2000 SKY Click-B

K-wave Special Award YearWinners 2026 BTS 2025 Jimin 2023 Kim Ho-joong 2022 Suho 2021 Exo 2020 BTS 2019Exo 2018 2017 2016 Astro 2015 Exo 2014 Infinite 2013 Shinee 2012 Super Junior 2011 Kara 2010 Girls' Generation 2009 Super Junior 2008 SS501 2009 Paran 2006 Kangta & Vanness 2004 Baby V.O.X. Park Yong-ha 2003 S 2002 Baby V.O.X. 2001 Kim Hyun-jung

Discovery of the Year Award Year Winners 2025 Say My Name 2023 Fifty Fifty 2022 Lee Seung-yoon 2021 Lang Lee 2020 Itzy 2019 Kim Hyun-chul 2018 Yang Da-il 2017 Monsta X 2016 WJSN Han Dong-geun

SMA Global Rookie Award YearWinners2026 Idntt, Modyssey, Say My Name

Special awards YearAwardWinners 2026 The New Icon Award Doh Kyung-soo The Golden Revival Award EXO Legend Award Roo'ra 2023 K-pop Special Award Sandara Park World Trend Artist BTS 2022Legend Artist BoA K-pop Special AwardKaraidol+ Best Artist Award BTS2021 Judge Special Award Jung Dong-ha U+Idol Live Best Artist Award BTS2020 Fan PD Artist Award Kang Daniel WhosFandom Award BTS Legend Rookie Award iKon Legend Award Big Bang2019 Judge Special Award Song Ga-in QQ Music Popularity Award Exo2018 Judge Special Award Adoy Fandom School Award Wanna One2017 Judge Special Award Bom Yeoreum Gaeul Kyeoul Fandom School Award Exo2016 World Collaboration Award Punch X Silentó Fandom School Award Exo2014 iQiyi Award 2008 YTN Star Award Baek Ji-youngHigh1 Music Award Big Bang2007 Girls' Generation2006Lifetime Achievement Award Kim Jong-hwan, Can2004 Seol Un-do, JNC Live Award Hwang Gyu-hak2003 Lifetime Achievement Award Seol Un-do Judge Special Award Baek Ji-young Live Award Cho Yong-pil2002 Lifetime Achievement Award Lee Moon-sae World Cup Achievement Award YB, Yoon Tae-won2000 Special Award Kim Kyung-ho, Kim Jong-hwan, Uhm Jung-hwa, Jung Il-yeong1997 Seol Un-do1994 Lee Ae-suk1991 Fashion Award Kim Wan-sun

Discontinued awards

Rock Award EditionYearWinner 15th 2004 Jaurim 13th 2002 Cherry Filter 12th 2001 Kim Jong-seo

Folk Award EditionYearWinner 14th 2003 Park Gang-seong 13th 2002 Yurisangja 12th 2001 Park Gang-seong

Music Video Award