The Order of Cultural Merit – Okgwan recipients: Singers #JISOO, #JENNIE, #ROSÉ, and #LISA of @BLACKPINK.
“The beginning of these four women was in 2016, with BLACKPINK. Back then, no one could have imagined how far this name would reach. Records were made. Stages were conquered. Albums made history. And performances continued to break records. Then, at some point, the boundaries of what a record could be began to change. In countless cities around the world, people began chanting their name.
The world began to remember BLACKPINK. Now, their influence has expanded beyond music into new fields. The names of these four women have come to represent an entire era. The achievements of one group have become the achievements of an era.
A name remembered by the world. Four women who began in South Korea. What started as music has become a record recognized by the world.”
— 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards
Congratulations #BLACKPINK as the recipient of the 4th-class Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order of Cultural Merit at the 2026 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards!
BLACKPINK is now the highest grade ever awarded to a K-pop group for their contributions to Korean culture and global music.
#JISOO, #JENNIE, #ROSÉ, and #LISA's acceptance speech for #BLACKPINK's recognition with the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit at the 17th Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
BLACKPINK makes HERSTORY today as the FIRST K-POP GROUP to receive the Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order of Cultural Merit, with all four members being honored at the 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards.
— It is the HIGHEST grade ever awarded to a K-pop group.
BLACKPINK members JENNIE, ROSÉ, LISA, and JISOO will each be awarded the Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order of Cultural Merit at the 2026 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards in recognition of their contributions to the global K-pop phenomenon.
— The Okgwan is the HIGHEST grade ever awarded to a K-pop group, making BLACKPINK the FIRST K-pop Group to receive this distinction. It is also one of the HIGHEST state honor South Korea bestows for contributions to popular culture, conferred in the President’s name. The award recognizes their significant contributions to the development of Korean culture and the arts.
the members of #BLACKPINK will each receive the prestigious okgwan (jade crown) order of cultural merit at the 2026 korean popular culture and arts awards, honoring their contributions to the growth of korean culture and the arts.
BLACKPINK will be awarded the 4th-class Okgwan (Jade Crown) Order of Cultural Merit at the 2026 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards in Seoul, the highest grade ever awarded to a K-pop group ✨
The only other K-pop group to receive the Order, BTS, was awarded the 5th-class Hwagwan in 2018.
All four members, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa, are being honored individually. The Order of Cultural Merit is the highest state honor Korea gives for popular culture, conferred in the President's name.
For Rosé, it marks back-to-back state honors. She received a Presidential Commendation in 2025, and now the Order of Cultural Merit in 2026.