The night at the 2025 Melon Music Awards (MMA 2025) belonged to two names: G-Dragon and Jennie. Each took home a different Grand Prize (Daesang), cementing themselves as the most emblematic artists of the year in K-pop. The two stars—who once sparked dating rumors—were announced back-to-back as Grand Prize winners, sending the ceremony’s tension and buzz through the roof.
At MMA 2025, held on December 20 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, Jennie won one of the ceremony’s four Grand Prizes, Record of the Year. The award recognized the global and domestic impact of her first full-length solo album, Ruby, released in March. Taking the stage, Jennie said, “I’m so grateful to receive such a big award. Releasing my first studio album made this year especially meaningful,” adding, “I’m happy I can wrap up the year on such a joyful note.”
Jennie also thanked everyone who made the moment possible. Bowing her head, she said, “Thank you to my company family, every staff member, everyone who created today’s stage, and even the 50 dancers who performed with me.” She added, “Standing here alone makes me miss my members even more. BLINK (BLACKPINK’s fandom), I always love you,” drawing explosive cheers from the crowd.
At the center of the night, however, was undeniably G-Dragon. He swept three Grand Prizes—Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Best Song of the Year—making him the biggest winner of MMA 2025. With additional wins in major categories such as Best Solo, Best Songwriter, and Top 10, he racked up a staggering seven trophies.
G-Dragon reflected in his speech, saying, “Every year is special, but this year will stay with me for a long time,” and, “I tried many new things, so the album took time to make.” On the album title Übermensch, he explained, “It was like a mantra—wanting to transcend something. I made music with that mindset.”
He grew emotional, adding, “The road to an award is long and rough, but it’s not hard because it’s meaningful.” He then thanked his fans, saying, “Thank you to VIP, the source of my inspiration,” and confessed, “I miss my BIGBANG members,” showing his affection for the group. He closed by saying, “This moment makes me so happy,” leaving a lasting impression.
On the same stage, for very different reasons, G-Dragon and Jennie became the faces of the Grand Prizes. Their wins symbolized the musical achievements and influence that defined 2025, sealing MMA 2025 as the most explosive night of the year.
The MMA 2025 winners are as follows:
△ Artist of the Year = G-Dragon
△ Album of the Year = G-Dragon Übermensch
△ Best Song of the Year = G-Dragon Home Sweet Home
△ Record of the Year = Jennie
△ Rookie of the Year = All Day Project, Hearts2Hearts
△ Top 10 = Rosé, Lim Young-woong, Jennie, aespa, BOYNEXTDOOR, G-Dragon, IVE, NCT WISH, PLAVE, RIIZE
△ Millions Top 10 = Rosé ROSY, SEVENTEEN Happy Birthday, IU Kkot-Galpi 3, Lim Young-woong I’m Hero 2, Jennie Ruby, BOYNEXTDOOR No Genre, G-Dragon Übermensch, IVE IVE Empathy, PLAVE CALIGO Part 1, RIIZE Odyssey
△ Best Solo = Rosé, G-Dragon
△ Best Group = IVE, BOYNEXTDOOR
△ Best Pop Artist = Ed Sheeran
△ Best OST = KPop Demon Hunters OST Golden
△ Stage of the Year = aespa
△ Music Video of the Year = KIKI
△ Global Artist = aespa
△ Global Rising Artist = AIDIT
△ Best Music Style = 10CM
△ Best Producer = Zico
△ Best Performance = ILLIT, RIIZE
△ Best Songwriter = G-Dragon
△ Hot Trend = WOODZ
△ J-Pop Favorite Artist = Kenshi Yonezu
△ 1theK Global Icon = KIKI
△ Track Zero Choice = Han Roro
△ Berries Global Fans’ Choice = Hearts2Hearts
△ Japan Favorite Artist by U-NEXT = BOYNEXTDOOR
△ KakaoBank Star of All = NCT WISH