The nominees for the 12th annual Korean Music Awards were announced today at 11am, KST. The Korean Music Awards do not take sales into consideration and the winners are determined by a panel of music critics and industry experts, making it a Korean version of the Grammy’s. This year the ceremony will take place on February 26th.
Album of the Year
- 9 and the Numbers – 보물섬 (Treasure Island)
- Kim Sawol X Kim Haewon – 비밀 (Secret)
- Danpyunsun and the Sailors – 동물 (Animal)
- Loro’s – W.A.N.D.Y
- Hwaji – Eat
Song of the Year
- 9 and the Numbers – “숨바꼭질 (Hider and Seeker)“
- Zion.T – “양화대교 (Yanghwa BRDG)“
- Kwon Tree – “어릴 때“
- Kim Sawol X Kim Haewon – “비밀 (Secret)“
- Soyou X Junggigo – “썸 (Some)” feat. Lil Boi of Geeks
- Yoon Sang – “날 위로하려거든 (If You Wanna Console Me…)“
Artist of the Year
- Danpyunsun and the Sailors
- Seo Tai Ji
- Lee Seung Hwan
- Wonsool Lee
- Gonne Choi
Rookie of the Year
- Crush
- Kwon Tree
- Kim Sawol X Kim Haewon
- The Barberettes
- Akdong Musician
Best Rock Album
- Guckkasten – Frame
- Danpyunsun and the Sailors – 동물 (Animal)
- Asian Chairshot – Horizon
- Unchained – 가시
- Hollow Jan – Day Off
Best Rock Song
- Guckkasten – “변신“
- Danpyunsun and the Sailors – “공 (Ball)“
- Asian Chairshot – “해야“
- Kiha & The Faces – “사람의 마음 (Human Mind)“
- Hollow Jan – “Day 3: The Day After“
Best Modern Rock Album
- 9 and the Numbers – 보물섬 (Treasure Island)
- Glittering Blackness, Fall – Untitled [2nd]
- Nunco – Skyland
- Loro’s – W.A.N.D.Y
- Ironic Hue – For Melting Steel
Best Modern Rock Song
- 9 and the Numbers – “숨바꼭질 (Hider and Seeker)“
- Thornapple – “낯선 열대“
- Nunco – “퓨처럽 (Future Luv)“
- Loro’s – “U“
- Boys In The Kitchen – “Bivo“
Best Folk Album
- Kwon Tree- 그림
- Kim Sawol X Kim Haewon – 비밀 (Secret)
- Big Baby Driver – A Story of a Boring Monkey and a Baby Girl
- Siwa – 머무름 없이 이어지다
- Gonne Choi – I was, I am, I will
Best Folk Song
- Kim Sawol X Kim Haewon – “비밀 (Secret)
- Kwon Tree – “어릴 때“
- Siwa – “당부“
- Lee Young Hoon – “Ephemera” (with Yozoh)
- Lee Jang Hyuk – “레테“
- Gonne Choi – “Monster“
Best Pop Album
- Kyo – Spade One
- Lalasweet – 너의 세계
- The Barberettes – 바버렛츠 소곡집 #1
- Akdong Musician – Play
- Lee Seung Hwan – Fall To Fly 前
Best Pop Song
- The Barberettes – “가시내들 (Little Gals)“
- Soyou X Junggigo- “썸 (Some)” feat. Lil Boi of Geeks
- Akdong Musician – “얼음들 (Melted)“
- Lee Seung Hwan – “화양연화“
- Ha:tfelt – “Ain’t nobody“
Best Dance & Electronic Album
- Heo – Structure
- Idiotape – Tours
- WYM – After Moon
- LudiSTELO – Experience
- saram12saram – 빗물구름태풍태양 (Raindrop Cloud Typhoon and the Sun)
- Infinite – Season2
Best Dance & Electronic Song
- F.W.D. – “Kotin“
- Haihm – “Bird No Singing (울지 않는 새)“
- Juuno – “Poly Evil” (vocal by Zitten)
- Seo Tai Ji – “크리스말로윈 (Christmalo.win)“
- Yoon Sang – “날 위로하려거든 (If You Wanna Console Me…)“
Best Rap & Hip-Hop Album
- B-Free – Korean Dream
- Vasco – Code Name: 187
- Jerry.k – 현실, 적
- Chaboom – Original
- Hwaji – Eat
Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song
- Beenzino – “Dali, Van, Picasso“
- B-Free – “Hot Summer“
- Epik High – “Born Hater“
- Chaboom – “안산 느와르” (feat. Ringojay
- Hwaji – “말어” (feat. Okasian)”
Best R&B & Soul Album
- Crush – Crush on You
- Ra.D – Soundz
- Jay Park – Evolution
- Alshain – Natural Hi-Fi
- TaeWan – As I Am
Best R&B & Soul Song
- Crush – “Hug Me” (feat. Gaeko)
- Zion.T – “양화대교“
- Jay Park – “올라타’”
- Alshain – “Start in You“
- Taeyang – “눈,코,입 (Eyes, Nose, Lips)“
Best Jazz Album
- Ju Hwan Kim – Tranquility
- Youngjoo Song – Between
- Sunny Kim & Ben Monder – The Shining Sea
- Sunji Lee – The Night of the Border
- Wonsool Lee – Into the Time
- Trio Closer – Coexistence
Best Crossover Album
- Park Woojae – Extension
- Se:um – Se:um
- su:m – su:m 2nd
- Jung Mina – 사람의 순간
- Han Seung Seok & Jung Jaeil – 바리abandoned
Best Jazz & Crossover Performance
- Sjq – Sjq
- Kim Chang Hyun – 망각(忘却)
- Se:um – Se:um
- Sunji Lee – The Night of the Border
- Trio Closer – Coexistence
All the nominated artists are eligible to win one of the Netizens’ Choice awards. Voting for Male Artist, Female Artist, and Group is ongoing bu requires a Daum account. The voting will be closed on February 22nd.