[스포츠서울 | 임재청 기자] TikTok has set a new milestone in the Korean creator ecosystem.
TikTok, the powerhouse of the global short-form platform, held Korea’s first ‘TikTok Awards‘ spectacularly at the Peace Hall of Kyunghee University on the 15th. At this event, about 250 of Korea’s top creators and 1,500 passionate fans gathered in one place, generating great enthusiasm.
In particular, at the awards ceremony on this day, Espa, a rising powerhouse in the K-entertainment industry, showed off its presence by winning the ‘Artist of the Year Award’. Espa has been leading the K-pop trend by enjoying unrivaled popularity on TikTok this year. In particular, the ‘Supernova’ challenge attracted explosive participation from global TikTok users and created a global syndrome.
The winner of the ‘Creator of the Year Award’ was definitely the ‘rising star of the TikTok world’, Unni Jeon. An unknown musical actor, he warmed up the scene by giving a sincere acceptance speech, saying, “TikTok is like a playground to me.”
The ‘Young Man’ creator presented a touching moment by winning the ‘Video of the Year Award’ and saying, “TikTok is like wings to me.” Popular creators such as Cookim, Hada, Hyeda & Gorocket also received awards, proving the diverse charm of TikTok.
The gorgeous red carpet also attracted attention. Eric Nam and Jin Hyun-joo served as MCs, further enhancing the quality of the event with sophisticated hosting. This awards ceremony, which was broadcast live through MBC Every1 and MBC M channels in collaboration with MBC+, is said to have become an even more meaningful event by ensuring fairness through direct voting by fans.
Jeong Jae-hoon, head of TikTok Korea operations, expressed his ambition, saying, “We will continue to do our best to become a platform where creators’ infinite imagination can unfold.”
Meanwhile, this TikTok Awards produced winners in a total of 17 categories and took its first successful step as a festival venue that demonstrated the infinite potential of K-content.
[2024 틱톡 어워즈 수상자 목록]
Creator Division
Creator of the Year Award: Jeon Unni (@jeon_unni),
Video of the Year Award: Young Jjaknam (@ycn_videographer)
Ambassador of the Year Award: Hada (@hada.kr)
Comedy Creator of the Year Award: Needmorecash (@needmorecash_vdbh)
Lifestyle Creator of the Year Award: Cookim (@cookim)
Best Chemistry Award of the Year: Hyeda (@yourhyeda) & Gorocket (@hea_dli_)
Rising Creator of the Year Award: Lulu Boy (@iamluluboi)
Social Impact Award of the Year: Jinwoo and Hatjin (@hatjin)
Artist category
Artist of the Year Award: aespa (@aespa_official)
Trend of the Year Award: WE ARE THE NIGHT (@bandwearethenight)
Best Viral Song Award: ILLIT (@illit_official)
Best Popularity Award: FIFTY FIFTY (@we_fiftyfifty)
Best Performance Award: Kep1er (@official_kep1er)
New Rising Star Award: UNIS (@unis_offcl)
New Rising Star Award: 8TURN (@8turn_official)
corporate sector
Partnership of the Year Award: Medicube
Entertainment of the Year Award: CJ ENM
How do you think the TikTok platform will evolve in the coming years to support creators like Unni Jeon?
Guest 1: Unni Jeon, Winner of ‘Creator of the Year Award’
Website Editor: Tell us more about your experience as a rising star in the TikTok world and how it feels to receive the ‘Creator of the Year Award’. What motivates you to create content on TikTok?
Guest 1: It’s an honor to receive this award, and I’m extremely grateful to all my fans who voted for me. TikTok has been a platform where I can express myself creatively without any limitations. I love how it allows me to share my passion for music and dance with the world. My motto is “Just keep creating,” and I’ve tried to maintain a consistently high-quality content output to keep my followers engaged. The supportive community on TikTok has been incredible, and it feels amazing to be recognized for my efforts.
Website Editor: How has TikTok impacted your career, and do you see yourself expanding into other areas besides content creation?
Guest 1: TikTok has definitely opened many doors for me. Not only have I gained a huge following, but I’ve also been able to collaborate with other creators and brands, which has led to some exciting opportunities. As for expanding into other areas, I’m currently studying K-Pop dance and performance, so maybe you’ll see me on stage someday! But for now, I plan to continue creating content and exploring new ways to engage with my followers on TikTok.
Website Editor: What advice would you give to aspiring TikTok creators who want to make it big in the industry?
Guest 1: My advice would be to be authentic to yourself and stay true to your passions. Don’t chase trends or try to be someone you’re not; focus on creating content that you enjoy making. It’s also important to interact with your followers and build a community around your brand. Be consistent, patient, and creative, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Guest 2: Jeong Jae-hoon, Head of TikTok Korea Operations
Website Editor: Congratulations on the successful TikTok Awards! What were
