# KBS Song Festival

The KBS Song Festival (Korean: KBS 가요대축제; RR: KBS Gayo Daechukje) is an annual South Korean music show that airs on the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) at the end of every year. It first aired in 1965 as an awards show, but KBS discontinued the awards ceremony in 2006. It has continued since as a music festival without giving awards most years. However, awards were given in 2013.

## History

The program was first broadcast in 1965 by the Tongyang Broadcasting Company (TBC), where it was known as the TBC Broadcast Music Awards (Korean: TBC 방송가요대상). Singer Choi Hee-Joon won the first award in 1965. Separate awards were then given for male and female artists from 1966 to 1986
In 1981, the South Korean government forced TBC to merge with the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS). Following the merger, the program's name was changed to the KBS Music Awards (Korean: KBS 가요대상; RR: KBS Gayo Daesang). It aired on KBS1 every year on 30 December until 1994, when the program moved to KBS2.
In 2005, Kim Jong-kook became the last singer to win the KBS Music Award. In 2006, the program's name was changed to the KBS Song Festival, and the network turned the program into a non-competitive music festival rather than an awards show.
Between 2006 and 2016, the festival typically featured performances by 20 to 30 K-pop groups and singers. However, in 2017, KBS scaled back the festival to include only eight groups, two singers, and contestants from the KBS2 reality show The Unit.
The event has always taken place at KBS Hall, with two exceptions. In 2015, the event was held in Gocheok Sky Dome and for the 2019 event, it was held in KINTEX.
The 2018 KBS Song Festival with the theme, "A Huge Fantastical Party", was held at the KBS Hall on 28 December 2018.
In 2023, the usual Song Festival was replaced by "Music Bank Global Festival", with the event held in both Saitama, Japan and Seoul, South Korea respectively.

## Hosts

| Year | Hosts |
| 2006 | Han Suk-joon, Hwang Soo-kyung |
| 2007 | Han Suk-joon, Soo Kyung-hwang, Son Beom-su |
| 2008 | Han Suk-joon, Hwang Soo Kyung, Park Sa-im |
| 2009 | Han Suk-joon, Soo Kyung-hwang, Kim Kyung-ran |
| 2010 | Han Suk-joon, Park Eun-young, Jun Hyun-moo |
| 2011 | Lee Hwi-jae, Park Sa-im, Jun Hyun-moo |
| 2012 | Sung Si-kyung, Yoona (SNSD), Jung Yong-hwa (CNBLUE) |
| 2013 | Lee Hwi-jae, Suzy (Miss A), Yoon Shi-yoon |
| 2014 | Lee Hwi-jae, Yoona (SNSD), Taecyeon (2PM) |
| 2015 | Lee Hwi-jae, Hani, (EXID), Taecyeon (2PM) |
| 2016 | Park Bo-gum, Seolhyun (AOA) |
| 2017 | Part I: Jin (BTS), Sana (Twice), Chanyeol (EXO), Irene (Red Velvet) Part II: Mingyu (Seventeen), Solar (Mamamoo), Kang Daniel (Wanna One), Yerin (GFriend) |
| 2018 | Chanyeol (EXO), Dahyun (Twice), Jin (BTS) |
| 2019 | Shin Dong-Yup, Irene (Red Velvet), Park Jin-young (Got7) |
| 2020 | Cha Eun-woo (Astro), Shin Ye-eun, Yunho (TVXQ) |
| 2021 | Cha Eun-woo (Astro), Seolhyun (AOA), Rowoon (SF9) |
| 2022 | Na In-woo, Jang Won-young (IVE), Kim Shin-young |
| 2023 | Part 1: Rowoon, Jang Won-young (IVE) Part 2: Rowoon, Go Min-si, Lee Young-ji |
| 2024 | Japan: Moon Sang-min, Shin Ye-eun, Hong Eun-chae (Le Sserafim) Korea: Zico, Jang Won-young (IVE), Kim Young-dae |

## Award recipients
### TBC Broadcast Music Awards (1965–1980)

| Year | Artist | Song |
| 1965 | Choi Hee-joon | "Every Corner of Korea" (팔도강산) |
| 1966 | Choi Hee-joon | "Student Boarder" (하숙생) |
| 1966 | Choi Yang-sook |
| 1967 | Choi Hee-joon |
| 1967 | Kim Sang-hee |
| 1968 | Bae Ho |
| 1968 | Lee Mi-ja |
| 1969 | Nam Jin | "My Heart Aches" (가슴 아프게) |
| 1969 | Lee Mi-ja | "Woman's Life" (여자의 일생) |
| 1970 | Choi Hee-joon |
| 1970 | Lee Mi-ja | "Woman's Life" (여자의 일생) |
| 1971 | Nam Jin | "Should Have a Beautiful Heart" (마음이 고와야지) |
| 1971 | Kim Sang-hee |
| 1972 | Na Hoon-a |
| 1972 | Ha Chun-hwa |
| 1973 | Nam Jin | "Don't Change, My Dear" (그대여 변치마오) |
| 1973 | Ha Chun-hwa | "Yeongam Arirang" (영암 아리랑) |
| 1974 | Kim Se-hwan | "Old Friend" (옛 친구) |
| 1974 | Ha Chun-hwa | "The First Time in My Life" (난생처음) |
| 1975 | Kim Se-hwan | "Loving Heart" (사랑하는 마음) |
| 1975 | Lee Su-mi | "Stand By Me" (내 곁이 있어주) |
| 1976 | Kim Hoon | 나를 두고 아리랑 |
| 1976 | Ha Chun-hwa | "Daekwanryeong Arirang" (대관령 아리랑) |
| 1977 | Kim Hoon |
| 1977 | Hye Eun-yi | "I Love Only You" (당신만을 사랑해) |
| 1978 | Choi Heon | "Empress Tree Leaves" (오동잎) |
| 1978 | Lee Eun-ha | "Night Train" (밤차) |
| 1979 | Jo Kyung-soo | "What Happiness Is" (행복이란) |
| 1979 | Lee Eun-ha | "Confusing" (아리송해) |
| 1980 | Cho Yong-pil | "Woman Outside the Window" (창밖의 여자) |
| 1980 | Yoon Si-nae | "Passionate Love" (열애) |

### KBS Music Awards (1981–2005)

| Year | Artist | Song |
| 1981 | Cho Yong-pil | "Red Dragonfly" (고추잠자리) |
| 1981 | Lee Jeong-hui | "You" (그대여) |
| 1982 | Cho Yong-pil | "Tragic Love" (비련) |
| 1982 | Yun Si-nae | "To The DJ" (DJ에게) |
| 1983 | Cho Yong-pil | "Dear Friend" (친구여) |
| 1983 | Yun Si-nae | "Let's Study" (공부합시다) |
| 1984 | Kim Soo-chul | "Forgotten Flower" (못다핀 꽃 한송이) |
| 1984 | Lee Eun-ha | "One Who's Never Been in Love" (사랑 한번 못해본 사람은) |
| 1985 | Cho Yong-pil | "Yesterday, Today, And..." (어제, 오늘 그리고) |
| 1985 | Jeong Soo-ra | "City Streets" (도시의 거리) |
| 1986 | Jeon Young-rok | "Crybaby, My Love" (내 사랑 울보) |
| 1986 | Jeong Soo-ra | "From Me to You" (난 너에게) |
| 1987 | Jeon Young-rok | "White Night" (하얀 밤에) |
| 1988 | Joo Hyun-mi | "That Person in Shinsadong" (신사동 그 사람) |
| 1989 | Hyun Cheul | "Garden Balsam Feelings" (봉선화 연정) |
| 1990 | Hyun Cheul | "Not Anymore" (싫다 싫어) |
| 1991 | Kim Jeong-soo | "You" (당신) |
| 1992 | Shin Seung-hun | "Invisible Love" |
| 1993 | Kim Soo-hee | "Sad Love" (애모) |
| 1994 | Kim Gun-mo | "Excuse" |
| 1995 | Kim Gun-mo | "Wrongful Meeting" (잘못된 만남) |
| 1996 | Kim Gun-mo | "Speed" |
| 1997 | Im Chang-jung | "Again" |
| 1998 | H.O.T. | "Hope" |
| 1999 | Jo Sung-mo | "For Your Soul" |
| 2000 | G.o.d | "Lies" |
| 2001 | G.o.d | "Road" |
| 2002 | Jang Na-ra | "Sweet Dream" |
| 2003 | Lee Hyori | "10 Minutes" |
| 2004 | Rain | "It's Raining" |
| 2005 | Kim Jong-kook | "Lovable" |

### KBS Song Festival (Popular Song of the Year)

| Year | Artist | Song |
| 2009 | 2PM | "Again & Again" |
| 2010 | Girls Generation | "Oh!" |
| 2011 | Beast | "Fiction" |
| 2012 | Psy | "Gangnam Style" (강남 스타일) |
| 2013 | Exo | "Growl" (으르렁) |

## Performers
### KBS Song Festival (2006–present)

| Year | Artists |
| 2011 | 2PM, 4Minute, Beast, BigBang, Clover, CNBLUE, Davichi, F(x), Girls' Generation, Infinite, IU, Kim Hyun-joong, Lee Seung-gi, MBLAQ, Miss A, Secret, Sistar, Super Junior, T-ara, TVXQ, U-KISS, Wonder Girls |
| 2012 | 2PM, Ailee, B1A4, Beast, BigBang, CNBLUE, Dynamic Duo, Infinite, K.Will, Kara, Miss A, Secret, Sistar, Shinee, Super Junior, T-ara, Teen Top, TVXQ, Lee Hyori |
| 2013 | Girls' Generation, Shinee, EXO, IU, Infinite, B2ST, 2PM, Miss A, 4 Minute, Kara, Sistar, K.Will, Teen Top, Boyfriend, Girl's Day, A Pink, Ailee, Lee Seung Chol, Yoo Hee Yeol, Secret, Dynamic Duo, Huh Gak, Crayon Pop |
| 2014 | 2PM, Ailee, AOA, Apink, B1A4, Beast, Block B, BTS, CNBlue, EXO, Fly to the Sky, Girl's Day, Girls' Generation, Im Chang-jung, Infinite, San E & Raina, Secret, Sistar, Soyou & Junggigo, VIXX |
| 2015 | Group 1: Ailee, AOA, Apink, B1A4, BtoB, BTS, CNBLUE, EXID, EXO, GFriend, Girls' Generation, Got7, Infinite, Mamamoo, Noel, Red Velvet, Shinee, VIXX Group 2: Hong Kyung-min, Moon Myung Jin, Hwang Chi-yeul, Ali, Son Seung-yeon Group 3: Crush, Dynamic Duo, Zion.T Group 4: Kim Chang-wan Band |
| 2016 | Group 1: AOA, B.A.P, BtoB, BTS, CNBLUE, EXID, EXO, GFriend, Got7, Han Dong-geun, I.O.I, Infinite, Jung Eun-ji, Mamamoo, Monsta X, Red Velvet, Seventeen, Shinee, Taeyeon, Twice, VIXX Group 2: Davichi, Uhm Jung-hwa, Hwang Chi-yeul, Jeon In Kwon, Shinhwa Group 3: Astro, Cosmic Girls, Laboum, NCT Dream, Oh My Girl, UP10TION |
| 2017 | BTS, EXO, GFriend, Hwang Chi-yeul, Hyuna, Mamamoo, Red Velvet, Seventeen, Twice, Wanna One, contestants from The Unit |
| 2018 | 10cm, Apink, AOA, BTOB, BTS, Celeb Five, Chungha, Cosmic Girls, Day6, EXO, GFRIEND, (G)I-DLE, Got7, Hwang Chi Yeol, Kim Yeon-ja, Lovelyz, Momoland, Monsta X, NCT, Norazo, NU'EST W, Oh My Girl, Red Velvet, Roy Kim, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, Sunmi, The Boyz, Twice, VIXX, Wanna One, Yong Jun-hyung, Kim Hyo-yeon |
| 2019 | Apink, Astro, BTS, Chungha, Cosmic Girls, Everglow, GFriend, Golden Child, Got7, Itzy, Mamamoo, Monsta X, N.Flying, NCT 127, NCT Dream, NU'EST, Oh My Girl, Red Velvet, SEVENTEEN, Song Ga-in, Stray Kids, The Boyz, Twice, TXT |
| 2020 | BTS, Taemin, Twice, Got7, Mamamoo, Monsta X, Park Jin-young, Sunmi, NCT, NU'EST, Oh My Girl, Paul Kim, GFriend, Astro, Stray Kids, (G)I-dle, Kim Yeon-ja, Sul Woon-do, Jessi, Iz*One, The Boyz, Momoland, TXT, Itzy, Aespa, Enhypen |
| 2021 | Red Velvet, Oh My Girl, Kang Daniel, The Boyz, Stray Kids, Itzy, Tomorrow X Together, Enhypen, Aespa, EXO, Lee Mu-jin, Seventeen, Sunmi, NU'EST, Astro, Brave Girls, NCT U, SF9, Kim Woo-seok, STAYC, Ive |
| 2022 | Koyote, BoA, Kim Woo-seok, NCT 127, NCT Dream, Pentagon, The Boyz, Fromis 9, Forestella, Stray Kids, (G)I-dle, Ateez, Choi Ye-na, Oneus, Itzy, Tomorrow X Together, STAYC, Aespa, Enhypen, Ive, Kep1er, Nmixx, Le Sserafim, NewJeans |
| 2023 | Part 1: Sunmi, Hwasa, Young K, NCT 127, NCT Dream, Fromis 9, (G)I-dle, Oneus, Tomorrow X Together, Cravity, Aespa, Ive, Xdinary Heroes, H1-Key, Xikers, Zerobaseone, Riize, Fantasy Boys Part 2: Golden Girls, Park Jin-young, Shinee, MeloMance, Kang Daniel, The Boyz, Stray Kids, Ateez, Itzy, Lee Young-ji, P1Harmony, STAYC, Enhypen, NiziU, Kep1er, Nmixx, Le Sserafim, NewJeans, &Team, BoyNextDoor, Now United |
| 2024 | Japan: Stray Kids, Ateez, WayV, Itzy, Tomorrow X Together, STAYC, INI, Trendz, H1-Key, Nmixx, Le Sserafim, NewJeans, Xikers, Zerobaseone, N.SSign, Riize, Evnne, TWS, NCT Wish, Illit, Nexz, Nouera Korea: Yoon Soo-il, DJ Koo, Jinusean, Baby Vox, Bada, Young Tak, Jang Minho, NCT 127, NCT Dream, (G)I-dle, Oneus, Lee Young-ji, Lee Chan-won, Cravity, P1Harmony, Aespa, Enhypen, Ive, Kep1er, TripleS, BoyNextDoor, Kiss of Life, Unis |