23rd Korean Popular Music Awards Nominees... Jennie and Lee Chan-hyuk Compete in Major Categories

Jennie of BLACKPINK and singer Lee Chan-hyuk have emerged as major nominees at the 23rd Korean Popular Music Awards, each nominated in five categories. The selection committee for the Korean Popular Music Awards announced the nominees by category on the 5th.

Jennie is nominated for 'Artist of the Year' and her hit song 'Like Jennie'(like JENNIE) is nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best K-Pop Song'. The album 'Ruby'(Ruby) is nominated for 'Album of the Year' and 'Best K-Pop Album'.

Lee Chan-hyuk is also nominated for 'Artist of the Year', and his song 'Endangered Love' is nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best Pop Song'. The album 'EROS'(EROS) is competing in the 'Album of the Year' and 'Best Pop Album' categories.

The group NMIXX has set a special record at this awards ceremony. In the 'Best K-Pop Album' category, both 'Blue Valentine'(Blue Valentine) and 'Fe3O4: FORWARD'(Fe3O4: FORWARD) are nominated, marking the first time in the history of the Korean Popular Music Awards that a single artist has two albums nominated in the same category.

NMIXX achieved the remarkable feat of being nominated five times across four categories, with 'Blue Valentine' nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best K-Pop Song' along with 'Artist of the Year'.

The artist with the most nominations this year is rapper EPI. EPI is nominated in a total of six categories, including 'Artist of the Year', 'Album of the Year', 'Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album', and 'Best Electronic Album', earning the honor of most nominations.

The nominees for 'Rookie of the Year' include the mixed group All Day Project, singer-songwriter Gong Won, Woo Hee-jun, R&B(R&B) duo Rakunera, and the band Peach Truck Hijackers. Kakao Creative Foundation will select candidates among these nominees who are deemed to need support and provide assistance for their next album production and creative activities.

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Song Golmae, recognized for opening a new horizon for Korean rock bands with hits like 'I Will Love Everyone' and 'Gather'. Member Bae Cheol-soo also showed his experience by being nominated for 'Best Rock Song' this year with 'Ireodo'.

Jeong Tae-chun and Park Eun-ok are nominated for 'Best Folk Album' and 'Best Folk Song' with their duet album 'Between Heavy Rains' and the title track, while Kim Chang-wan is nominated for 'Best Folk Song' with 'A Day'.

The awards ceremony will be held on the 26th and will be broadcast live through the official YouTube channel of the Korean Popular Music Awards and Melon. With nominees spanning various genres and generations from K-Pop idols to singer-songwriters and rock bands, it is expected to showcase the rich spectrum of Korean popular music.