The prestigious Seoul Music Awards (SMA) has officially kicked off its 2026 season with a flurry of major announcements.
On May 7, 2026, the organizing committee revealed the first star-studded lineup of performers, signaling the start of one of K-pop’s most storied award seasons.
As the ceremony celebrates its 35th anniversary, the event is shaping up to be a historic celebration of musical achievement, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and explosive rookies.
The awards will take place on June 20, 2026, at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, a venue known for its state-of-the-art acoustics and immersive performance capabilities.
Highlighting the first wave of confirmed artists are BOYNEXTDOOR, WJSN’s Dayoung, and the rising band Dragon Pony.
They are joined by the unique acts KiiiKiii and CLOSE YOUR EYES, representing a diverse range of genres within the contemporary Korean music scene.
This initial roster is just the beginning of a rollout that organizers promise will eventually include many of the year’s most dominant chart-toppers.
The inclusion of groups like BOYNEXTDOOR, who have seen rapid growth over the past year, underscores SMA’s commitment to spotlighting the “next generation” of K-pop leaders.
Leeteuk Returns: A Decade in the Making
In a move that has delighted long-time fans, Super Junior’s Leeteuk has been confirmed as the host for the 35th ceremony.
This marks a significant homecoming for the veteran idol, who is returning to the SMA stage as an MC for the first time in exactly ten years.
Leeteuk last anchored the show in 2015, and his return is seen as a nod to the awards’ long history and legacy.
Known for his wit and steady leadership during live broadcasts, Leeteuk’s presence is expected to bring a sense of prestige and continuity to the milestone 35th anniversary event.
Adding to the excitement, the Filipino boy band HORI7ON has made headlines by securing two major nominations: the Popularity Award and the K-pop World Choice- Group Award.
Their nomination is a testament to the global expansion of the K-pop model, as the group was formed through a joint Philippine-Korean survival program and has since built a massive international following.
Because these categories are determined entirely by fan voting via mobile apps like IDOLCHAMP, the competition is expected to be incredibly fierce among global fandoms in the coming weeks.
The Race for the Grand Prize
One of the defining features of the Seoul Music Awards is its adherence to the “Single Grand Prize” (Daesang) rule.
Unlike many other ceremonies that split the top honor into multiple categories, SMA traditionally awards only one Grand Prize to a single artist, making it one of the most coveted trophies in the industry.
Past winners like Seo Taiji and Boys, BTS, EXO, and NCT DREAM have all solidified their legendary status through this win.
With the 2026 nominees currently battling it out in early rounds of voting, all eyes are on who will join this elite circle during the June broadcast.
Ticketing for the event officially opened on May 6 at 2 p.m. KST via the NOL Ticket platform, and demand has already been reported as exceptionally high.
For fans who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be broadcast globally, allowing audiences worldwide to witness the high-concept stages that have become a hallmark of the Seoul Music Awards.
As more artists are added to the lineup in the coming days, the momentum for June 20 continues to build, promising a night that will truly celebrate the “pure flow” of Korean music’s global influence.
