June 20, 2026

One of Korea's major annual K-pop awards shows, the 35th Seoul Music Awards brings together top artists to perform and receive honors at Inspire Arena in Incheon. Confirmed performers include BOYNEXTDOOR and KiiiKiii, with more TBA. A high-energy multi-artist showcase that functions equally as an awards ceremony and a live concert.

What Is the Seoul Music Awards?

The Seoul Music Awards (서울가요대상, SMA) is one of South Korea’s three major annual music award ceremonies, alongside the Melon Music Awards and the Mnet Asian Music Awards. Now in its 35th year, the SMA honors top artists across K-pop, ballad, hip-hop, and trot categories based on a combination of digital sales, physical album sales, online votes, and expert jury scores.

Why It’s Worth Attending

Unlike a standard concert, an awards show packs performances from 10–20 different artists into a single evening. Each act typically performs 1–2 songs — making it a fast-paced, high-variety experience that gives a snapshot of the current K-pop landscape. For first-time K-pop concert-goers, it’s one of the most efficient ways to see a wide range of popular acts in one night.

2026 Confirmed Performers

BOYNEXTDOOR and KiiiKiii are confirmed for the 2026 ceremony, with additional performers expected to be announced in the weeks before the event. Hosts are typically announced separately — Super Junior’s Leeteuk has been involved in past editions.

Venue & Getting There

Inspire Arena is connected to Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon, near the airport. Take Airport Railroad Express (AREX) to Incheon International Airport Station, then shuttle or taxi to Inspire Resort — or take Incheon Metro Line 2 to Unseo Station. Tickets available via NOL World and SMA official channels.