At the National Theater of Korea on October 23, G-DRAGON stood beneath the bright lights not as a performer, but as a symbol of K-pop’s cultural legacy. The artist, also known as Kwon Ji-yong, received the Ok-gwan Order of Cultural Merit, becoming the youngest recipient of the prestigious award.
The medal, presented during the 16th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, recognized G-DRAGON’s global influence in spreading the Korean Wave and shaping the evolution of K-pop over the past two decades.
“I’ve been resting for quite a while, and next week marks exactly one year since my comeback,” G-DRAGON began, his voice steady yet emotional. “I remember being around six years old, holding my mother’s hand as she took me to my first audition. Since that day, I’ve been chasing the same dream.”
Reflecting on his journey from trainee to global icon, he added, “In my teens, I dreamed of becoming a singer—and I achieved that. In my twenties, I received awards, and now, in my thirties, I’ve received the Ok-gwan Cultural Medal. I can’t wait to see what my forties will bring.”
G-DRAGON spoke with visible pride about his identity as an artist. “When I was young, I admired singers so much, and even now, I still do. I’m proud to be a singer myself. I love what I do, and I’m grateful that this path became my life.”
He also paid heartfelt tribute to the artists who inspired him and to his bandmates in BIGBANG. “The senior artists who made me dream were like stars in the night sky. I grew up listening to their music, and now that I’ve become one of those stars, I want to share this honor with my BIGBANG members. Next year marks our 20th anniversary, and that makes this moment even more meaningful.”
Before concluding his speech, he offered a message of hope to the audience. “Before I sleep, I often tell myself, ‘Good night, have a good dream.’ When you dream good dreams often enough, sometimes they become reality—and even if they don’t, they still make you feel happy. I hope you all have good dreams too.”
The Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, now in its 16th year, is South Korea’s highest government honor recognizing achievements across film, music, comedy, writing, and broadcasting. This year, six individuals received Cultural Medals, alongside seven Presidential Commendations, eight Prime Minister’s Citations, and ten Minister of Culture Awards.
Other recipients of the Ok-gwan Cultural Medal included the late comedian Jeon Yoo-sung, honored for nurturing younger comedians and developing regional cultural content, and veteran voice actor Bae Han-sung, recognized for his contributions to the voice acting industry.
As the youngest artist ever to receive the medal, G-DRAGON’s honor stands as both a personal milestone and a reflection of K-pop’s ascent from pop phenomenon to officially recognized national culture.