Another new year, another award show! With 2024 wrapping up with a plethora of music festivals and award shows, it’s a given that 2025 has to start on the same high note too. Kicking off January was the 39th GOLDEN DISC AWARDS 2025 (GDA), happening in Fukuoka, Japan at the MIZUHO PayPay Dome.
This year’s GDA saw killer stages from groups across the generations. Featuring the kings of synchronisation SEVENTEEN, powerhouse acts GFRIEND and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, as well as KISS OF LIFE and ZEROBASEONE dripping with charisma, GDA’s stages are on my watchlist every year. After all, the past years have always brought about iconic performances!
With so many performances and awards, we’d be here all day if I had to go over all of them. So we’ll only be looking at key awards and stages that you cannot miss (at least, in my opinion)! It’s an award show, after all, so let’s find out how they work. As mentioned previously in the Melon Music Awards coverage, every award show has several grand prizes – Daesangs – and GOLDEN DISC AWARDS is no different.
GDA brings two Daesangs: Digital Song of the Year and Album of the Year. Alongside these are other main awards like Rookie of the Year, Best Digital Song (Bonsang) and Best Album (Bonsang) – main prizes that are not limited to only one recipient.
The criteria for all of these awards consist of 40% panellist evaluations as well as 60% digital sales (based on Circle Chart’s sales volume). However, only releases between early November 2023 and early November 2024 were eligible for this year’s GDA. So, now that we know how it works, let’s dive into it!
Digital Song of the Year (Daesang)
aespa grabs Digital Song of the Year with Supernova, adding another Daesang to their ever-growing list. Don’t get why Supernova is so popular? Catch their stage and you’ll see firsthand. Don’t cancel me for this, but I do believe that Supernova is a song to be watched as a performance rather than listened to – after all, the stage that goes with Supernova brings your listening experience to the next level!
While the song is by no means bad, watching visually just enhances the entire song, bringing out the charisma and stage presence of the four members – something just listening to the track can’t do. Watching the quartet hit the beats perfectly with their choreography? Oof, chef’s kiss. Ideal for award shows and end-of-the-year concerts, stages like Supernova definitely bring that punch of power and hype!
Album of the Year (Daesang)
Clinching the other Daesang is none other than the showstopping SEVENTEEN with their latest mini album ‘SPILL THE FEELS’! Through the course of six songs in the album, the 13-member group successfully showcased their versatility in music, presenting fans with a variety of genres. I’ve spilt my own thoughts on the album before, so let me know if you agree!
With members participating in the creation of every song, it’s safe to say that this album is absolutely worth its weight in gold. Since the early years as a group, SEVENTEEN has actively participated in the creation process of their songs. Most notable is WOOZI, the group’s resident producer, taking part in many songs even outside of SEVENTEEN’s own discography.
Not only are their songs absolute masterpieces, but so are their stages! SEVENTEEN turned GDA 2025 into their own mini-concert, performing a total of five songs from their discography. Opening their stage was the Hiphop Team with Water, a hard-hitting number that will have you headbanging with the members – truly, is there a better way to open a stage?
It’s no fun to tell you everything the performance has in store, but I will say, SEVENTEEN pulled a signature concert move and sprung a VERY NICE encore just when everyone thought their stage had wrapped up! Despite missing two members (or are they?), their stage still delivered the quality and power the group has always been known for. Don’t you just love it when you can see how much a group loves performing on stage?
With three songs from their latest album and two well-loved ones from older albums, SEVENTEEN showcased all sides of their performance prowess. They even performed unit songs, showcasing the charms and talents of each team! Let’s be honest, no amount of words would be enough to convey the sheer awe of this stage, so you’ll have to check it out for yourself. And CARATs, you have to watch until the end for a surprise; no spoilers from me!
Rookie of the Year
TWS
Having won Rookie of the Year at the Melon Music Awards as well, TWS is back again to charm audiences with the series of three songs. As though they were looking back on 2024, TWS performs the title tracks of their previous albums: Last Festival, If I’m S, Can You Be My N? and plot twist.
Despite having already covered Last Festival in the Melon Music Awards, GDA’s version of this stage cranked up the nostalgia of this stage to the max. Weaving in a dance break performed by SHINYU and YOUNGJAE, if this stage doesn’t make you a 42 (SAI), I don’t know what will!
Having If I’m S, Can You Be My N? and plot twist performed back to back is an absolute killer move. Exploding with adorableness, TWS is the epitome of boyish charm, and these two title tracks capture that perfectly. Bubbly and bright, these two songs can be treated as a single storyline, with plot twist as its beginning. No amount of words can truly convey what it’s like to watch the stage so just catch it yourself!
Despite only being active for less than a year, this rookie group would be dubbed unrealistic if written into a drama or webtoon – after all, it’s unheard of for rookies to perform all three title tracks at an award show stage!
ILLIT
Another rookie group that debuted less than a year ago, ILLIT is here at GDA bringing their most addictive songs: Magnetic and Cherish (My Love). However, before you write off those two songs as too cutesy for your taste, stay for the intro – I guarantee it’s worth it.
Starting with a cute retro arcade opening, the members pop up in tune with an arcade-esque version of Tick-Tack. But don’t be fooled, as the doors open to reveal IROHA with a solo dance that the members soon join in. With a concept like the one ILLIT has, it’s rare to have hard-hitting choreographies that aren’t too girl-style and flowy, but this intro certainly reminds everyone of their dancing prowess. In fact, it might just be one of my favourite intros of this year’s stages!
BABYMONSTER
While the group did not attend GDA 2025, their impact as a rookie group is undeniable. They’ve already performed so many times throughout the world, having visited Singapore last year for a fan meeting in addition to the Singapore Grand Prix. In fact, I heard that they’ll be stopping by our sunny island again come May 2025!
While their songs might not be to my taste, I can’t deny that they get stuck in your head very easily. Ever since their debut with Batter Up, all of the group’s subsequent comebacks have gone viral one way or another. Personally, I enjoy watching BABYMONSTER’s stages more than listening to their tracks, simply due to the members’ stage presence and choreography.
NCT WISH
The latest and final subunit of NCT, NCT WISH is here to recharge your batteries with their upbeat songs and refreshing choreography! Another notable rookie group, the sextet are the youngest of the subunits, but that doesn’t stop them from delivering. With cheery, hype music, WISH and Steady will bring the energy in the room up any day – and I’m sure it did, lined up as the first stage of GDA Day 2. Energetic choreography, adorable members and catchy beats – that’s just a recipe for success.
Unfortunately, this GDA stage only showcases the prowess of five members as RIKU has temporarily halted all activities since October 2024 due to health issues. We can only hope that RIKU makes a full recovery soon and joins the others for their upcoming concert and Singapore stop.
Performances I Couldn’t Get Enough Of
GFRIEND
If we’re talking iconic, this is one you can’t miss! GDA 2025 marks the return of vocal powerhouse GFRIEND. This would be the group’s first live performance since their disbandment in 2021 – and it was nothing short of a masterpiece. Quickly becoming the most-viewed performance from this year’s GOLDEN DISC AWARDS, it’s evident that everyone has missed the GFRIEND.
With an intro that looks back on the years when they were active, BUDDYs are sure to be reminiscing along as well. Opening with the heartrending yet nostalgic Rough, I’m sure everyone already had the members performing in uniform-esque attire playing in their mind’s eye. Despite how much time has passed, the stage is still as bittersweet as ever!
The sextet also revealed the stage for Season of Memories, a song from their upcoming album celebrating their 10th year anniversary dropping later in January! If you’re looking to reminisce and look back on GFRIEND’s music while enjoying their live vocals, be sure to check out their dingo killing voice as well!
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
MOAs, did you enjoy TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s stage? Going home with the Best Album (Bonsang), the quintet performed two tracks from their latest album, putting the members’ charm and romanticism in the spotlight for all to see. While I always enjoy watching TXT’s energetic performances, there was something missing with the absence of leader SOOBIN.
On break due to health reasons, SOOBIN was unable to join this year’s GDA alongside his members. But I’m sure all MOAs are all patiently awaiting his return to the stage so they can be graced with his mellifluous voice and mesmerising falsetto again!
GOLDEN DISC AWARDS 2025 is set to be TXT’s last schedule in lieu of their well-deserved long-term hiatus for the next couple of weeks. Having been on tour or putting out back-to-back albums since their debut in 2019, the quintet is finally taking a break, much to MOAs’ relief.
KISS OF LIFE
It’s not often that I am a fan of a girl group, but KISS OF LIFE (also known as KIOF) is an exception! With a concept inspired by Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, the quartet performed the summery Sticky – a combination I would’ve never expected. The dark and streamlined aesthetics and haunting music of this stage that preluded the song was a complete 180 to the refreshing and bright Sticky. The intro of the stage was magnificent, with HANEUL and BELLE’s puppet duo choreography capturing my attention the most.
The concept of Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride was certainly executed to a tee, with beautiful stage outfits and an excellent remix. However, I’m not sure if Sticky was the perfect choice for such a concept. Nevertheless, the members definitely did the stage justice, capturing both the haunting vibes of the Corpse Bright while also retaining the peppiness of Sticky.
Having gained traction for the single Midas Touch released in 2024, KIOF captured the hearts of many, with their teasing, confident tracks and choreography. Through their debut and subsequent comebacks, KIOF has successfully proved their versatility in music and concept, from the alluring Midas Touch to the bright Sticky and the edgy Igloo. It’s no surprise, after all, that they won the Next Generation award, given to rising stars!
GOLDEN DISC AWARDS 2025
2025 is set to be a year filled with amazing stages, and GOLDEN DISC AWARDS is evidence of that. But with two days’ worth of performers, it’ll be a very long article if I were to cover every group!
So if you wanna watch all the different performers (as well as some backstage content), be sure to check out Golden Disc’s official channel. If you wanna know the full list of winners from this year’s GOLDEN DISC AWARDS, then check out their Instagram profile and X account. Whether it’s 3rd, 4th or 5th gen that you’re a fan of (or maybe even all!), you’ll be bingeing for a while!
Visuals courtesy of Golden Disc.