Korea Image Awards name The Black Label, 'gat,' Buldak as 2026 winners

The Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) announced the winners of its 2026 Korea Image Awards, recognizing a K-pop music label, a traditional cultural symbol and a global food brand for broadening Korea’s appeal overseas. The Korea Image Stepping Stone Award will go to The Black Label, represented by CEO Jung Kyung-in and executive producer Teddy, for taking part in producing the soundtrack for the hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The institute said the label’s “innovative sound and global sensibility” helped deliver the emotional appeal of K-content to international audiences and contributed to the soundtrack’s milestone achievements, including ranking No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard and U.K. Official charts for multiple weeks. The Korea Image Firestone Award, presented to a person or symbol that sparked global interest in Korea, is awarded to the “gat,” a traditional Korean horsehair hat widely associated with the upright spirit and refined dignity of the Joseon era. According to CICI, gat has been reinterpreted across K-pop, film, drama and fashion, with reWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times