The 11th Edaily Culture Awards took place on October 25 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, celebrating outstanding achievements in the Korean performing arts. Among the highlights of the evening, K-pop sensations NCT 127 and NewJeans each made a significant impact, showcasing their talent and passion.
NCT 127 received the prestigious Grand Prize, or Daesang, for their concert "NEO CITY: THE UNITY," recognizing their impressive tour that captivated over 400,000 fans across eight Asian cities from November to March. Member Doyoung expressed his gratitude during the award ceremony, saying, “I don’t know if we deserve such a big award. I think this is a recognition shared with all the amazing artists and works in each field.” He extended his appreciation to SM Entertainment’s artistic director Kim Kyung-chan, emphasizing the collaborative effort that goes into their performances.
Johnny, another member of NCT 127, excitedly announced, “We have a concert in January,” generating cheers from the audience. Doyoung followed up with a bold promise: “We will create an amazing concert so that we can be nominated again next year.” Their fans lit up the venue with neon-colored light sticks, showing unwavering support for the group.
NewJeans also had a moment to shine as member Hyein accepted the Frontier Award, expressing deep appreciation for her fans, known as Bunnies. “It’s an honor to receive such a special award in a moment like this,” Hyein shared emotionally. “It’s thanks to everyone around us that we get to share these memories.” The group’s performance of “Bubble Gum” and “How Sweet” left the audience enchanted, with Hyein weaving the essence of the awards into her stage presence.
This year’s Edaily Culture Awards, organized by Edaily and the Kwak Jae-sun Cultural Foundation, aims to uplift the performing arts community by recognizing exceptional work across six categories: theater, classical music, dance, traditional Korean music, musicals, and concerts.
Both NCT 127 and NewJeans showcased their commitment to their craft and fans, promising to continue delivering memorable experiences through their music. With Doyoung stating their intention to aim high for the next awards and Hyein expressing gratitude for their special moments, the future looks bright for these K-pop stars. As the night concluded, it was clear that NCT 127 and NewJeans are poised to make even more waves in the industry.