The "2025 4th AoA International Awards" and the "K-ars Opera Society Corporate Establishment Founders' Meeting," which marked the grand finale of the cultural arts scene in 2025, were held with great success on the afternoon of December 29th at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. This event went beyond a simple award ceremony, serving as a meaningful occasion to solidify solidarity among creators and announce a new institutional leap for Korean cultural arts.
A Meeting of Artistic Value and Fairness: AoA International Awards
The event was divided into two parts: the 1st part featured the "4th AoA International Awards" ceremony starting at 2:00 PM, followed by the 2nd part, the "K-ars Opera Society" Corporate Establishment Founders' Meeting. The AoA International Awards (Ace of Ars Award) were established to honor individuals who have contributed to the development of culture and arts across all genres under the theme of discovering the "Aces of Art."
The ceremony opened in a solemn atmosphere starting with the National Salute. As Organizing Chairman Jung Soo-yeol was unable to attend, a proxy delivered the opening remarks, followed by a welcoming speech from Kim Ja-hyung, Chairperson of the Lux-Bit Art Company. Chairperson Kim emphasized, "The AoA International Awards have grown into a platform where creators respect each other’s achievements and exchange ideas beyond the boundaries of artistic genres. I hope this ceremony and the launch of the K-ars Opera Society will serve as a meaningful starting point for creating a sustainable ecosystem for Korean culture and arts."
Building on the prestige established by selecting domestic and international masters such as Lee Soon-jae (actor), Song Chang-sik (singer), and Denis Villeneuve (director) as past recipients, this year's winners were also selected through a rigorous screening process. Vice-Chairperson Hwang Se-hee explained the trophy design and the ceremony's composition, emphasizing the artistic value and symbolism that the AoA International Awards aim to represent.
A Celebration Merging Tradition, Modernity, Literature, and Music
The highlight of the ceremony was undoubtedly the celebratory performances, which harmonized diverse artistic genres. Member Han Yang-su’s soprano saxophone performance of "Adagio" captivated the audience with its deep resonance, while soprano Kim Hee-sook added to the winter afternoon's ambiance with a lyrical rendition of "The Face I Miss." Subsequently, Member Park Sol vividly delivered the power and narrative of traditional art through the "Battle of Jangpangyo" passage from the Pansori "Jeokbyeokga," receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.
In particular, the "AoA Poetry Recitation" scheduled between the awards sequences showcased the "convergence art" aspect that this event aspires to achieve. The ceremony proceeded in a calm and orderly manner, following the principle of alphabetical order while considering the arrival status of the recipients. Artists in attendance sincerely congratulated one another on their achievements, strengthening the spirit of solidarity.
K-ars Opera Society: Toward a New Horizon for Korean Opera
The second part of the event, which began at 4:00 PM, featured the Founders' Meeting for the establishment of the "K-ars Opera Society." This reflected the AoA International Awards' commitment to moving beyond a one-time ceremony to provide an institutional foundation for artists to maintain their activities.
During the meeting, the purpose of the organization’s establishment and its future operational direction were shared. In-depth discussions followed regarding long-term visions for the global promotion of opera with Korean characteristics and the overall development of cultural arts. Participants deeply empathized with the necessity of incorporation to develop complex cultural arts content centered on opera and to protect the rights and interests of creators.
A Promise for the Future and a Conclusion of Solidarity
Closing the event, Steering Committee Chairman Kang Ik-mo stated in his remarks, "The AoA International Awards are building trust based on fair evaluation and artistic respect. I hope this gathering serves as a meaningful opportunity for artists and cultural arts stakeholders to discuss the future together."
The event was further enriched by the sponsorship of numerous companies and artists, including SUAVIS, Cheong-ok Co., Ltd., Lux-Bit Art Company, iM Bank (formerly Daegu Bank), Chang Accounting Firm, CHP Entertainment, and more. Although some officials were unable to attend due to personal reasons, the passion on-site was more fervent than ever.
The "2025 4th AoA International Awards," which organically combined awards, performances, and institutional discussions, is being highly evaluated for securing its status as an international award while simultaneously presenting the potential for sustainable growth of cultural arts organizations. The voices of artists that resonated at the Seoul Museum of Art are expected to serve as a new milestone for the Korean cultural arts scene in 2026.
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