The nominees for the 17th annual Korean Music Awards were announced today at 11am, KST. The nominated albums and songs have been selected from albums and songs released between December 1st 2019 and November 30th 2019 The Korean Music Awards do not take sales into consideration and the winners are determined by a panel of music critics and industry experts, making it a Korean version of the Grammy’s. This year the ceremony will take place Thursday February 27th.
Album of the Year
- C JAMM – 킁 (Keung)
- Lim Kim – Generasian
- The Black Skirts – Thirsty
- Yerin Baek- Our Love is Great
- Jannabi – 전설 (Legend)
Artist of the Year
- Lim Kim
- Kim Oki
- Kim Hyun Chul
- BTS
- Yerin Baek
- Jannabi
Song of the Year
- AKMU – “어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지 (How Can I Love The Heartbreak, You’re The One I Love)”
- Lim Kim – “Sal-ki”
- BTS feat. Halsey – “작은 것들을 위한 시 (Boy With Luv)”
- Yerin Baek – “그건 아마 우리의 잘못은 아닐거야 (Maybe It’s Not Our Fault)”
- Jannabi – “주저하는 연인들을 위해 (For Lovers Who Hesitate)”
Rookie of the Year
- Itzy
- Net Gala
- Sogumm
- Lee Joo Young
- Chun Yongsung
Best Rock Album
- The Bowls – If We Live Without Romance
- Goonam – 모래내판타지 (Moraenae Fantasy)
- Black Hole – Evolution
- Oh Chill – Oh, Two Animals
- Jambinai – Onda
- National Pigeon Unity – 999
Best Rock Song
- Jambinai – “온다 (Onda)”
- National Pigeon Unity – “끼리끼리 (Same Same)”
- Sonic Stones – “Chocolate Milk”
- Se So Neon – “집에 (Go Back)”
- Oh Chill – “Oh, Two Animals”
Best Modern Rock Album
- 9 And The Numbers – 서울시 여러분 ()
- The Black Skirts – Thirsty
- Rock N Roll Radio – You’ve Never Had It So Good
- Thornapple – 계몽 (Enlightenment)
- Jannabi – 전설 (Legend)
Best Modern Rock Song
- The Black Skirts – “섬 (Queen of Diamonds)”
- Decadent – “링구 (Lingu)”
- Rock N Roll Radio – “Take Me Home”
- Thornapple – “2월 (February)”
- Jannabi – “주저하는 연인들을 위해 (For Lovers Who Hesitate)”
Best Metal & Hardcore Album
- Eighteen April – Voices
- Various Artists – Black Hole Tribute – Re-encounter The Miracle
- Madman’s Esprit – Glorifying Suicide
- Method – Definition of Method
- Chain Reaction – Features / Creatures
Best Pop Album
- AKMU – 항해 (Sailing)
- Kim Hyun Chul – 돛 (Sale)
- Yerin Baek- Our Love Is Great
- OOHYO – 성난 도시로부터 멀리 (Far From The Maddening City)
- Taeyeon – Purpose
- cacophony – 夢 (Dream)
Best Pop Song
- AKMU – “어떻게 이별까지 사랑하겠어, 널 사랑하는 거지 (How Can I Love The Heartbreak, You’re The One I Love)”
- Itzy – “달라달라 (Dalla Dalla)”
- (G)i-dle – “Lion”
- BTS feat. Halsey – “작은 것들을 위한 시 (Boy With Luv)”
- Yerin Baek – “그건 아마 우리의 잘못은 아닐거야 (Maybe It’s Not Our Fault)”
Best Dance & Electronic Album
- Lim Kim – Generasian
- NET GALA – re:FLEX*ion
- Various Artists – Gookbo 3ho
- jangmyungsun – 이르고 무의미한 고백 (A Premature And Meaningless Confession)
Best Dance & Electronic Song
- Lim Kim – “Sal-ki”
- NET GALA – “Quarrel”
- Peggy Gou – “Starry Night”
- Pierre Blanche – “Combat”
- Two Tone Shape – “Constant”
Best Rap & Hip-Hop Album
- C JAMM – 킁 (Keung)
- E Sens – 이방인 (The Stranger)
- Futuristic Swaver – BFOTY
- XXX – Second Language
- CHOILB – 오리엔테이션 (Orientation)
Best Rap & Hip-Hop Song
- E Sens – “그XX아들같이 (Son of a)”
- Mushvenom – “왜 이리 시끄러운 것이냐” (Prod. SLO)
- BewhY – “가라사대 (Gottasadae)”
- Bill Stax – “Idungivaㅗ”
- YUMDDA – “돈 Call Me” (Prod. BRLLNT)
Best R&B & Soul Album
- Colde – Love Part 1
- dress, sogumm – Not My Fault
- sogumm – Sobrightttttttt
- Samuel Seo – The Misfit
- Sumin – OO DA DA
Best R&B & Soul
- Colde – “와르르 ♥ (WA R R)”
- Jclef – “Mama, See”
- Brown Eyed Seoul – “그대의 밤, 나의 아침 (Night and Day)”
- sunwoojunga – “Classic”
- Sumin – “Stardust”
Best Folk Album
- Emon – 네가 없어질 세계 (The World Without You)
- Yeoyu and Seolbin – 노래는 저 멀리 (All Our Lives)
- Lazyblood – 서럽다 꿈같다 우습다 (Sad Dreamy Funny)
- Lee Joo Young – 이주영 (Lee Joo Young)
- Chun Yongsung – 김일성이 죽던 해 (Year of Kim Il-Sung’s Death)
Best Folk Song
- Kwon Tree – “새로운 날 (New Day)”
- Lazyblood – “윤식이 나간다 (Go Yoonsik Go)”
- Lee Joo Young – “오후에 (Heart)”
- Jeongmilla – “무명無名”
- Chun Yongsung – “대설주의보 (Heavy Snow Watch)”
Best Jazz Album
- Trio Works – Gunsan Gaka
- Kim Oki – 스피릿선발대 (Spirit Advance Unit)
- Youn Sun Nah – Immersion
- JB Liberation Amalgamation – JB Liberation Amalgamation
- Youngjoo Song & Sunny Kim – Tribute
Best Crossover Album
- NST & The Soul Sauce meets Kim Yulhee – Version
- Black String – Karma
- Jung-min Seo – Home
- SB Circle – Topology
- Ji Park – DMZ
Best Jazz & Crossover Performance
- Pureum Jin – The Real Blue
- Trio Works – Gunsan Gaka
- JB Liberation Amalgamation – JB Liberation Amalgamation
- Black String – Karma
- Lee Myoung Gun Trio – 좋은게 좋은거지 (Something Good Is Good)
- Minki Cho – Invisible
All nominated songs currently available on Spotify can be found in Indieful ROK’s KMA2020 Song Nominees playlist. All nominated albums currently available on Spotify can be found in Indieful ROK’s KMA2020 Album Nominees playlist