▲ AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk is seen in this photo provided by YG Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ BLACKPINK's Jennie is seen in this photo provided by her agency, Odd Atelier. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

music awards-winners

AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk, Jennie sweep major prizes at Korean Music Awards

By Shim Sun-ah

SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Yonhap) -- Lee Chan-hyuk, the brother of the sibling duo AKMU, clinched three prizes, including Song of the Year, at this year's Korean Music Awards (KMA) held late Thursday, an event that prizes artistic achievement over commercial popularity.

Lee emerged as the night's most decorated artist, taking home Song of the Year and Best Pop Song for "Endangered Love" and Best Pop Album for "Eros" during the ceremony broadcast live on the local music streaming platform Melon and YouTube, according to the KMA website.

"Eros" is the first solo album from the singer in two years and nine months since his solo debut album, "Error," in October 2022. The new album was lauded by critics for its exploration of mortality and the emotional aftermath of loss.

While not the album's lead single, "Endangered Love" saw a dramatic rise on domestic charts following a viral performance by Lee at the Blue Dragon Film Awards in November.

BLACKPINK's Jennie also secured two trophies -- Best K-pop Album for her solo project "Ruby" and Best K-pop Song for its lead track "like Jennie."

Rookie of the Year went to singer-songwriter Woo Hui-jun, while Album of the Year was awarded to the genre-defying indie band Chudahye Chagis for "Sosuminjok." Chudahye Chagis is a "psychedelic shamanic funk band" led by Chu Da-hye, a "sorikkun" (Korean traditional vocalist) whose voice channels the soul of traditional Korean music.

Singer-songwriter Hanroro took home the Artist of the Year award.

Other double winners included Chudahye Chagis, Woo Hui-jun, Kwon Tree, rapper Sik-K and producer Lil Moshpit.

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