Which K-Pop Icon Will Outshine Everyone at the 40th GOLDEN DISC AWARDS?
- lewishooper1
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
You won't believe who is taking home the Daesang—The 40th GDA results that will break the internet! Who will be the best-dressed and much more?
For the 40th Golden Disc Awards (GDA) happening this January 10th, 2026, in Taipei, the "Battle of the Soloists" has reached a fever pitch, and the Dojeon team cannot wait to see how this plays out. With legends returning and global icons branching out, this year’s competition is being hailed as one of the most competitive in the ceremony's history!
The Top Style Icons of the 39th GDA - Dojeon's Top Picks!
As the host, Moon Ga-young dominated the fashion conversation last year! She wore multiple high-fashion gowns, with her most discussed being a sleek, minimalist black floor-length dress that leaned into the "quiet luxury" trend. The Dojeon team literally fell in love with this classic and elegant look! Will the host for the 40th GDA's have what it takes to outshine Moon Ga-young?
Cha Eun-woo stayed true to his reputation as the "Face Genius" by wearing a perfectly tailored black Dior suit, which looked amazing! His look was praised for its sharp, traditional silhouette that stood out against the more experimental outfits of the performers, but nevertheless left him looking handsome!
The Daesang winners, aespa, didn't just win for their music; their "Supernova" performance outfits featured a mix of high-shine metallics, corsetry, and cyber-punk accessories that perfectly captured their AI-heavy concept. This look also focused on the more futuristic look, which the Dojeon team thought was refreshing compared to some of the more 'safe' elegant options!
The Digital Division Duel
The competition for the Digital Song Bonsang (and the Daesang) is exceptionally tight and fierce this year due to massive streaming hits from soloists. Legends like G-Dragon and IU are going head-to-head with global stars like Jennie and Rosé, talk about household names!
G-Dragon’s "HOME SWEET HOME" and IU’s "Never Ending Story" are leading the front with massive domestic streaming numbers. They do, however, face stiff competition from Rosé’s "toxic till the end" and Jennie’s "like JENNIE", both of which dominated global charts.
The Dojeon team firmly believes this category is a toss-up between G-Dragon’s massive nostalgia factor and the sheer global viral power of the Blackpink members' solo debuts, but only time will tell.
The Album Division Clash
While the Album Division is often dominated by groups, 2026 will see several soloists making a serious play for the top prize with high-volume physical sales, which is literally the ultimate award in itself! This "battle" highlights the individual selling power of artists who usually perform with world-renowned groups. So who is set to take home the prize?
Jin (BTS) enters the race with his solo album Happy, as well as a massive global fanbase to drive record-breaking physical sales. Jennie (BLACKPINK) is also a double-threat here with her album Ruby, while G-Dragon challenges the status quo with his highly experimental Übermensch. The race could not be more intense this year!
Here at Dojeon Media, we believe Jin likely has the edge in raw physical sales, but the "Battle of the Soloists" here is really about whose individual brand has the strongest staying power outside of their group.
The New "Artist of the Year" Prize
To mark the 40th anniversary, the GDA has introduced a third Grand Prize: Artist of the Year. This has turned the "Battle of the Soloists" into a fight for the ultimate title of the industry’s most influential figure. With so many household names and amazing talent, which artist will have the strongest fan base? Are you going to vote?
This new Daesang weighs both digital and physical performance (60%) alongside expert evaluation (40%) to determine the year's definitive artist. Soloists like Jennie and G-Dragon are prime candidates because they have secured nominations in both the Digital and Album divisions. The Dojeon team thinks that Jin might be in with a strong chance as well this year!
Final Thoughts
The race to take home awards could not be tighter this year! With so many soloists in the mix, the chance of sweeping all of the awards across all three major categories is high! In fact, it is the highest-stakes "battle" in GDA history.