The second day of the Korea Grand Music Awards (KGMA) 2025 Day 2 event brought to life some of the most unforgettable and intense musical moments within the last year. Day 2, which took place on November 15, 2025, was under the official theme “MUSIC DAY,” which pointed out the highest level of musical craftsmanship, great performance quality, vocal dominance, and the influence of artists over a long time.
While the first day—“Artist Day”—was concentrated more on beginners, digital achievements, and popularity-oriented categories, the second day was like the main ceremony, where the largest Daesangs and the most sought-after jury awards were presented.
As the centerpiece of the entire KGMA event, Day 2 offered a deeper look into the artistry that shaped the year.
Below is a complete, in-depth exploration of everything that unfolded on MUSIC DAY.
What Makes KGMA Day 2 Unique
Day 2 carries more weight than Day 1 for several reasons. It is the day when the jury evaluates music through a purely artistic lens rather than trends or commercial digital numbers. Categories revealed on Day 2 are considered more prestigious because they recognize:
- Long-term artistic value
- Album and music craftsmanship
- Live vocal and performance quality
- The musician’s influence on the industry
- Innovation in production
- Global and national resonance
Where Day 1 highlights new-age success, Day 2 is about enduring musical excellence.
This separation helps maintain a balance between industry skill and public popularity.
Theme of the Night: “MUSIC DAY” Explained
The 2025 theme for Day 2, “MUSIC DAY,” represented:
- A celebration of pure musical ability
- Respect towards artists who prioritize artistry
- A look at the evolution of Korean music
- An acknowledgment of musicians who shaped K-pop’s global rise
Unlike promotional themes used by other award shows, KGMA’s theme has symbolic meaning. “MUSIC DAY” focused on the elements that make Korean music more than a commercial product: vocals, composition, instrumentation, lyrical layers, and emotional resonance.
Complete Performance Breakdown
1. Opening Stage: The Evolution of Modern Korean Sound
The ceremony opened with a curated stage that highlighted 20 years of Korean music. Modern arrangements incorporated iconic melodies from the early 2000s, second-gen idol era, digitally driven fourth-gen sound, and today’s hybrid genres. This shift represented how Korea’s music industry expanded from local fame to global dominance.
The opening stage established the night’s tone: music first, spectacle second.
2. Veteran Soloist Performances
Day 2 traditionally honors the artists who shaped the earlier phases of K-pop. Veteran artists performed using:
- Full live bands
- Traditional Korean instrumentation
- Rearranged versions of their classic hits
- High-quality acoustics instead of heavy backing tracks
This segment showed why senior artists still hold influence and how their legacy continues to mentor new waves of idols.
3. Idol Group High-Production Comeback Stages
Top-tier groups returned with elevated versions of their comeback tracks designed exclusively for KGMA. Unlike regular music show stages, these were more cinematic, featuring:
- Extended dance breaks
- Live vocals with enhanced monitoring
- Special camera choreography for TV broadcast
- Custom stage designs and props
- Completely new outfits tailored for the awards
These performances drove high international streaming traffic and kept global audiences engaged.
4. Collaboration Stages Never Seen Before
One of KGMA’s defining features is agency-cross collaborations. These rare pairings often go viral because they offer combinations fans never expect. Collaborations included:
- Mixed-genre performances
- Cross-agency idol pairings
- Band-vocalist duets
- Completely new arrangements only available on this stage
This segment represents musical unity rather than competition.
5. The “Hall of Voice” OST and Vocalist Segment
One of the most respected segments, featuring the strongest vocalists of the year performing nominated OSTs and ballads. Artists were evaluated on:
- Pitch stability
- Breath control
- Emotional delivery
- Stage presence without visual effects
This segment displayed the raw skill of Korea’s top vocalists.
Full Performance Lineup From KGMA 2025 Day 2
Along with thematic and special stages, Day 2 featured a long lineup of artists performing their latest releases, hit tracks, and exclusive rearranged versions made specifically for KGMA. The second night included both established names and rising groups, giving the audience one of the most diverse performance sets of the year.
Below is the full list of performances showcased at the 2025 KGMA Day 2 ceremony:
KISS OF LIFE’s Natty
Performed a modern reinterpretation of Lee Hyori’s iconic hit “10 Minutes.”
CLOSE YOUR EYES
“X,” “SOB”
IDID
“CHAN-RAN”
UNIS
“SWICY”
KickFlip
“Band-Aid,” “My First Love Song”
AHOF
“We Ready,” “Pinocchio”
P1Harmony
“DUH!”
LUCY
“Where’s Your Love,” “Flowering”
NEXZ
“I’m Him,” “Beat-Boxer”
Hearts2Hearts
“FOCUS”
WJSN’s Dayoung
“body”
Jang Min Ho
“Lonely Love,” “Play the Music”
KISS OF LIFE
“k bye,” “Lucky” (Korean version)
fromis_9
“Supersonic,” “LIKE YOU BETTER”
EXO’s Suho
“Light The Fire,” “Who Are You”
BTOB
“Wind And Wish,” “Only One for Me,” “Missing You,” “LOVE TODAY”
IVE
“XOXZ,” “GOTCHA (Baddest Eros),” “REBEL HEART”
Stray Kids
“S-Class,” “In My Head,” “CEREMONY”
Award Categories Presented on “MUSIC DAY”
Unlike Day 1 awards based partly on fan voting, Day 2 categories rely heavily on jury analysis and musical merit.
The key categories include:
- Album of the Year (Daesang)
- Song of the Year
- Best Female Artist
- Best Male Artist
- Best Group (Male)
- Best Group (Female)
- Best Band
- Best Hip-Hop Artist
- Best OST
- Cultural Impact Award
- Rookie Major Categories
- Special Judge Awards
Each category focuses on artistic contribution rather than temporary digital success.
Complete Winner Breakdown and Why They Won
(Based on the official 2025 Korea Grand Music Awards – Day 2 winner list you provided)
Day 2 of the Korea Grand Music Awards 2025 showcased the peak of musical achievement, and each award reflected a combination of artistry, performance quality, cultural impact, and year-long consistency. Below is the corrected + deeply explained winner breakdown and the reasons behind each win.
Grand Awards (Daesangs)
Grand Record of the Year — Stray Kids
Stray Kids secured one of the night’s highest honors for their outstanding performance across album sales, streaming impact, conceptual execution, and stage power.
Why they won:
- Their album and performances maintained dominance across Korean and global markets.
- Known for high-intensity stages, strong production identity, and unmatched fan engagement.
- The jury praised their unique creative direction and year-long consistency.
Grand Song of the Year — IVE
IVE took home the Daesang for the year’s most influential song.
Why they won:
- Their track showed strong digital longevity.
- It became a cultural trend, influencing TikTok, Korean charts, and fan communities.
- Melodic catchiness + strong vocal delivery + instant listener appeal.
Grand Honor’s Choice — Stray Kids
This is a jury-exclusive award, highlighting artistry beyond charts.
Why they won:
- Recognized for innovation in performance style.
- Acknowledged for shaping the global perception of fourth-gen K-pop.
- Their musical identity and creative risks stood out in 2025.
Main Category Winners
Best Music 10 — Multiple Artists
aespa, ENHYPEN, fromis_9, IVE, KISS OF LIFE, Mark, P1Harmony, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, Suho
This list recognized the top 10 artists who shaped 2025’s mainstream music landscape.
Why they won:
- Strong digital performance
- High-quality stages
- Breakthrough comebacks
- Consistent influence and relevance
Best Band — LUCY
LUCY continues to be praised for technical precision, refreshing sound, and the way they elevate live band performances within K-pop.
Why they won:
- Distinctive violin-led arrangements
- Flawless live execution
- Strong emotional delivery
Best Adult Contemporary — Jang Min Ho
Jang Min Ho remains one of Korea’s most consistent contemporary vocalists.
Why he won:
- Stable vocals
- Deep public connection
- Strong stage delivery in the trot/ballad genre
Best Vocal — BTOB
BTOB is known for being one of the strongest vocal groups in K-pop.
Why they won:
- Exceptional harmony
- Vocal strength across all members
- Memorable ballad and emotional performances
Best Solo Artist — Suho & Dayoung
Both delivered unique contributions to solo music this year.
Why they won:
- Suho showed maturity in tone, stable performances, and strong charting.
- Dayoung impressed with fresh solo identity and vocal clarity.
Best Dance Performance — AHOF
AHOF stood out with sharp choreography and strong stage charisma.
Why they won:
- Precision
- Stage power
- Viral performance impact
Best Virtual Artist — PLAVE
PLAVE’s rise represents the growing popularity of virtual idols.
Why they won:
- Strong fandom
- Unique digital presence
- High-quality virtual content
Best Streaming Song — aespa – “Whiplash”
A song built for replay value and global trending.
Why it won:
- Massive streaming numbers
- Viral dance challenges
- Strong Gen Z appeal
Best Selling Album — Stray Kids – “KARMA”
Stray Kids dominated physical sales once again.
Why they won:
- Record-breaking album sales
- Global fanbase strength
- High production value
Best Global K-pop Star — IVE
IVE continues to grow in international popularity.
Why they won:
- Global chart presence
- Massive international fan engagement
- Worldwide tour and impact
Best Trot Stage — Jang Min Ho
A double win for his genre expertise.
Why he won:
- Smooth vocal tone
- Strong stage personality
- Traditional music appeal
Best Listeners Pick — UNIS
Fan-favorite group recognized for massive voting power.
Why they won:
- Strong fanbase
- Consistent visibility
- Popularity across social media
IS Rising Star — IDID, KickFlip, Hearts2Hearts
These groups were celebrated for potential and fast growth.
Why they won:
- Rapid fan growth
- Strong performance identity
- Promise for future expansion
IS Rookie — AHOF, CLOSE YOUR EYES
A recognition of the most promising debut teams.
Why they won:
- Standout debut stages
- Clear musical identity
- Early digital success
Most Popular Artist — Stray Kids
SKZ dominated public appeal.
Why they won:
- Strong fandom
- Viral performances
- Heavy social engagement
K-pop International Artist — NEXZ
A rising force outside Korea.
Why they won:
- Growing global audience
- Distinct concept
- International streaming impact
2025 BIGC Global Star Award — Suho
Recognition of Suho’s influence beyond Korea.
Why he won:
- Strong overseas fanbase
- Acting + music dual success
- High media presence
ENA K-pop Artist — IV
Awarded based on domestic broadcast impact.
Why they won:
- Consistent Korean chart performance
- TV impact
- Public appeal
Hulu Japan Popularity Award — NEXZ
NEXZ’s explosive popularity in Japan was highlighted.
Why they won:
- High Japanese fan traction
- Streaming and broadcast success
Style Icon — UNIS
UNIS made waves with styling and concept creativity.
Why they won:
- Trendsetting visuals
- Strong fashion identity
Trend of the Year — V, Carmen
Awarded to artists with the strongest cultural moments of 2025.
Why they won:
- Viral recognition
- Social media impact
- Trendsetting influence
Fan Favorite Artist — Jimin, Yuqi
Chosen purely by global fan enthusiasm.
Why they won:
Strong digital influencetial.
Huge international fanbase
How Winners Were Chosen
KGMA uses a structured evaluation system:
- Jury Evaluation (musicians, producers, critics)
- Digital statistics (streaming, chart performance)
- Physical album sales
- Stage impact score
- Fan votes (limited categories only)
This mixed scoring process ensures fair recognition of both popularity and artistry.
Audience Reaction & Social Media Highlights
Day 2 received widespread global attention due to:
- Live vocals with minimal backing tracks
- High-budget stages
- Rare collaborations
- Transparent award distribution
- Veteran and rookie balance
Platforms like ENA (Korea) and TikTok (global) contributed to massive real-time engagement.
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Conclusion
KGMA 2025 “MUSIC DAY” was clearly an event that showcased the artistic side of the music and its long-term influence. The next day, with the help of phenomenal stages, proper awards presented, and the theme of artistry, went to great lengths in the recognition of the Korean music’s depth and evolution. The intermixture of legendary icons, well-respected bands, and newcomers made it a night that would rather be marked in history as one of the biggest musical events in the year.
