Stray Kids and IVE Sweep Four Awards Each at the 2025 K WORLD DREAM AWARDS, Celebrating the Power of K-Culture

The 2025 K WORLD DREAM AWARDS showcased the remarkable strength of K-culture on the global stage.

The 2025 K WORLD DREAM AWARDS took place on the evening of the 21st at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Launched in 2017 as the inaugural Soribada Best K-Music Awards, this event has continued for nine years, once again holding its ceremony in Seoul—the heart of K-pop—and contributing to the influx of Hallyu (Korean Wave) tourists.

Thousands of global K-pop fans from Korea, China, Japan, Europe, and beyond gathered early outside the venue, turning the area into a sea of excitement and demonstrating the festival’s electrifying atmosphere.

With uniquely Korean-inspired art installations, a thrust stage that brought artists and fans closer than ever, and the signature 'self-awarding' moments that have become a hallmark of the ceremony, the event created unforgettable memories for both artists and international K-pop fans.

To ensure the sustainable growth of K-pop, leading artists and celebrities at the forefront of the Hallyu wave took part in the festivities. In addition to the fan-voted popularity award winners selected via the global fandom platform DuckAd, top-tier artists chosen by the 2025 K WORLD DREAM AWARDS Organizing Committee, a panel of six industry experts, and journalists from major Hallyu entertainment media outlets were honored for their significant contributions to K-pop’s ongoing evolution.

Groups such as BTOB, Stray Kids, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, CRAVITY, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, tripleS and Young Posse, FIFTY FIFTY, NCT WISH and ILLIT, Kickflip, Hearts2Hearts, Kiki, New Beat, Ahop and the band LUCY, Xdinary Heroes, QWER, Dragon Pony, as well as solo artists Park Seo-jin, Park Ji-hyun, Paul Kim, and Kang Daniel, all graced the stage with both award wins and dazzling celebratory performances, connecting deeply with the audience.

For the third consecutive year, broadcasters Jun Hyun-moo and Jang Do-yeon led the ceremony as MCs. Actors Kang Yoo-seok, Go Bo-gyeol, Ryu Kyung-soo, Moon Ga-young, Byun Woo-seok, Shin Ji-yeon, Lim Soo-hyang, and Jung Yu-mi were also present to personally hand out trophies. Singer and broadcaster Tanaka and former Miss Korea-turned-actress Hwang In-hye served as blue carpet MCs, adding a fresh twist to the event.

The panel of six industry experts included composer Park Geun-tae; Noh Soo-jang, CEO and entertainment law specialist at Segyeol Law Firm; Professor Joo Jung-eun, director of the Korea Model Association and professor of Model Acting at Seokyeong University; Professor Kim Chun-hee, artistic director at Huat Company and adjunct professor at Kyungsung University; and Park Yong-deok, chairman of TV Daily and Sports Today.

Lee Jung-seok, former vice-chairman of the K-Culture Powerhouse Committee and a singer himself, was appointed as the chief expert advisor. Ahead of the ceremony, Lee shared, “The 2025 K WORLD DREAM AWARDS is a meaningful event that helps K-pop avoid stagnation by fostering more unique and high-quality content, contributing to its continued growth.”

With the enthusiastic support of global K-pop fans, the 2025 K WORLD DREAM AWARDS concluded successfully. The event was hosted by the Organizing Committee and managed by YJ Partners, the largest Hallyu agency. It was broadcast live on Japan’s OTT platform U-NEXT, while K-pop fans worldwide (excluding Japan) tuned in via Hello Live.

Photo Credit: 2025 K WORLD DREAM AWARDS Organizing Committee

This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews, originally written by Jo Hyejin. This article was translated from Korean using AI-assisted tools and human review to deliver an accurate and culturally appropriate version for international readers.