BLACKPINK have achieved another major milestone in their global career, becoming the first K-pop girl group to receive South Korea’s prestigious Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit.
The honour recognises the quartet’s contribution to spreading Korean popular culture internationally through their music, performances and individual activities.
The group received the recognition at the 17th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, held on October 29, 2026, at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Seoul.
The announcement was confirmed by YG Entertainment on October 30.
The achievement carries additional significance as BLACKPINK celebrate their 10th debut anniversary this year.
Since debuting in 2016, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa have established themselves as internationally recognised artists, helping bring K-pop to audiences across different countries and markets.
The Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit is the fourth-grade honour within South Korea’s Order of Cultural Merit.
It is awarded to individuals and groups who have made meaningful contributions to the country’s cultural development and international recognition.
BLACKPINK Make History With Prestigious Cultural Honour
BLACKPINK’s recognition makes them the first K-pop girl group to receive the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit.
The honour acknowledges their achievements through both group promotions and the members’ individual careers, as well as their role in expanding the global influence of Korean popular music.
The members were unable to attend the ceremony because of their album-related schedules.
A representative from YG Entertainment accepted the award on their behalf.
Following the announcement, BLACKPINK shared their gratitude through their agency.
The members stated,
“We are happy and honored to receive this meaningful Order of Cultural Merit.
We sincerely thank the public who have loved our music for a long time and BLINK, who have always supported us by our side.”
They also expressed their intention to continue creating music that connects with listeners, adding,
“We will continue to work hard to become artists who deliver comfort and emotion through good music.”
The award is among South Korea’s highest government recognitions in the popular culture and arts sector.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, the annual ceremony honours artists and industry professionals whose work has contributed to the development of Korean entertainment.
BLACKPINK’s achievement places them among the notable recipients recognised for their influence on the international entertainment landscape.
Global Records Strengthen BLACKPINK’s Cultural Influence
Over the past decade, BLACKPINK have established several milestones that have contributed to their international reputation.
Their 2022 second studio album, ‘BORN PINK,’ became the first album by an Asian female artist to simultaneously top the US Billboard 200 and the UK’s Official Albums Chart.
The group also made history in February 2026 by becoming the first musical act worldwide to surpass 100 million subscribers on YouTube.
The achievement highlighted the scale of their international audience and the continued popularity of their music videos and performances.
Their latest release, the third mini-album ‘DEADLINE,’ added another major achievement to their record.
According to Hanteo Chart, the album sold 1,774,577 copies during its first week, setting a new record for the highest first-week sales by a K-pop girl group.
BLACKPINK also successfully completed their ‘DEADLINE’ world tour, performing 33 shows across 16 cities.
Alongside their group activities, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa have pursued individual projects in music, fashion, acting and other entertainment fields.
The 17th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards recognised 36 individuals and groups this year, including several other prominent names from the entertainment industry.
Their contributions were acknowledged through different grades of cultural merit orders and government commendations.
For BLACKPINK, receiving the Okgwan Order during their 10th anniversary year adds another significant chapter to their career.
As the first K-pop girl group to earn the distinction, the quartet’s recognition reflects the international reach of their music and their contribution to the growing visibility of Korean popular culture.
