Pictures and Performances from the 2011 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Award

While the winners were announced earlier, eliminating the element of surprise, the “2011 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards” show took place to much anticipation on November 21, at the Olympic Stadium Olympic Hall.

This award show, sponsored by the government, honors Korean artists who made a significant contribution to the promotion and development of Korean popular culture and arts. Many important figures in the K-pop industry were awarded, including SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo Man, JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin Young, and YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk.  K-Pop artists were also awarded, includingSNSD, CNBlue, After School, BEAST,  and ZE:A. SNSD, BEAST, After School, Wonder Girls, Super Junior‘s Yesung and Taeyang also performed at the awards show.

In one of the most interesting award speeches of the day, Park Jin Young said, “Culture is different from cars; simply large quantities of exportation is not good enough. The results won’t be good if we simply export our culture without understanding it. Culture isn’t a one-sided advancement; it is exchange. Koreans should also enjoy other cultures.”

Here is list of award recipients:

Cultural Content Merit:  actor Shin Young Gyun, trot singer Han Choon Hwa, rock singer Shin Joong Hyun, writer Yoo Ho, dubbing artist Oh Seung Ryong, and SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo Man.

President’s Award: JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin Young, YG Entertainment founder Yang Hyun Suk, actor Lee Byung Hun, film director Hong Sang Soo, singer Kim Gun Mo, and Nam Chul.

Prime Minister Award: SNSD, filmmaker Kim Ki Duk, Kim Soo-hee, Shin Chul, Shim Seong Rak, actor Yoo Dong Geun, director Lee Jin Suk and singer Jung Soo Ra.

Minister of Culture Award: Kim Ki Pyo, Kim Byung Man, Seo Hye Jeong, actor Song Il Guk, comedian Lee Kyung Sil, Lee Tae Kyung, singer and actor Jang Geun Suk, Jun In Hwa, CNBlue, After School, BEAST,  and ZE:A.

After School performing “Shampoo” and receiving award:

SNSD performing “The Boys” and receiving award:

BEAST performing “Fiction” and receiving award:

Short clip of Wonder Girls singing “Be My Baby“:

Congratulations to all the winners and fighting to Korean popular culture and arts!