Late rock icon Shin Hae-chul was posthumously awarded the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit at the 2026 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards on October 29, twelve years after his death, in a ceremony that also honored television host Yoo Jae-suk and all four members of BLACKPINK.
According to MHN Sports, the ceremony was hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency at the National Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul. A total of 36 individuals and groups received cultural medals or commendations, comprising 10 cultural medal recipients, seven presidential commendations, eight prime minister commendations, and 11 minister commendations.
Shin Hae-chul received the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit, the highest-ranking cultural medal awarded at this year’s ceremony. The Precious Crown Order of Cultural Merit went to Yoo Jae-suk, singer Han Young-ae, producer Park Myung-sung, voice actor Park Young-nam, and jazz musician Shin Kwan-woong. BLACKPINK members Rose, Lisa, Jennie, and Jisoo each received the Jade Crown Order of Cultural Merit.
The presidential commendations went to music director Kang Seung-won, rock band Buhwal, Super Junior, film director Jang Hang-jun, and actors Yoo Hae-jin, Ryu Seung-ryong, and So Ji-sub. The prime minister commendations recognized announcer Bae Mi-hyang, film director Yoon Ga-eun, and duo AKMU, among others, while a further 11 minister commendations were also awarded. No official statement was available beyond the awards announcement itself.
Shin Hae-chul first rose to prominence in 1988, when he took part in a college song festival with the band Infinite Track, before going on to form the band N.EX.T. His work is credited in the report with helping to bring Korean rock music to a mainstream audience, a legacy that earned him the enduring nickname of the eternal Demon King of Korean rock. He died on October 27, 2014, at the age of 46, after developing abnormal symptoms following surgery for intestinal stenosis, making this year’s honor a posthumous recognition arriving almost exactly twelve years after his passing.
Yoo Jae-suk, meanwhile, was recognized after more than 30 years in entertainment, during which he has become widely known as the Nation’s MC. Han Young-ae was honored as she marked the 50th anniversary of her debut.
The ceremony closed with congratulatory performances by crossover group La Poem and Han Young-ae.
