The Jennie Show: How BLACKPINK’s Star Turned the Golden Disc Awards Into Her Own Lonely Victory Lap

If you needed a visual metaphor for the current state of K-pop in 2026, the 40th Golden Disc Awards just delivered it on a silver platter. Or rather, a gold one.

Held at the massive Taipei Dome on January 10, the night was historic for many reasons—it was the first time the prestigious ceremony took place in the venue. But the headline wasn't the location. It was the sight of BLACKPINK’s Jennie walking up to the podium, over and over again, largely by herself.

The One-Woman Army

Social media quickly dubbed the night "The Jennie Show," and for good reason. The superstar didn't just win; she monopolized the runtime. Jennie took home the newly minted Artist of the Year (Daesang), a massive flex that cemented her status as the industry's singular 'It Girl'.

But the night took a surreal turn when she was called up to accept the Digital Song Bonsang for BLACKPINK’s group hit "Run". With Lisa, Rosé, and Jisoo absent, Jennie stood alone, laughing in visible surprise at being summoned yet again.

"Everyone, BLACKPINK won an award. Are the members watching? ... I see BLINKs here — hi!"

It was a moment that felt both triumphant and slightly dystopian. Here was the biggest girl group in the world, represented by a single member repeatedly sprinting back to the stage to collect hardware for both her solo work ("Like Jennie") and her team. She even returned a third time to grab the Global Impact Award.

The Kings Return

While Jennie was running a marathon in heels, the men of K-pop were busy cementing their legacies. Stray Kids proved they are the new leaders of the pack, taking home the Album of the Year (Daesang) for their massive record KARMA.

Meanwhile, K-pop royalty G-Dragon reminded everyone why he is the original icon. He snagged the Digital Song of the Year (Daesang) for "HOME SWEET HOME," beating out younger heavyweights like aespa and LE SSERAFIM.

A Shift in Power?

This year’s ceremony introduced a third Grand Prize—the Artist Daesang—specifically to measure global influence. That Jennie won this inaugural honor speaks volumes. In an era where groups are everything, the individual brand power of Jennie Kim has seemingly eclipsed the machinery that built her.

"Even though I’m here by myself today, I feel so proud," Jennie told the crowd. And she should. But as she stood there clutching trophies for four people, it was hard not to wonder: Is this the future of K-pop? A collection of solo empires occasionally meeting for a group hug?

🏆 Who do you think deserved the Daesang? Check out the full breakdown of lyrics from Stray Kids' winning album KARMA here.