What does 대상 (daesang) mean?
- 대상daesang
Grand prize (top award)
Fine in most situations
대상 (daesang) means the grand prize, the top award at a Korean awards show. In K-pop and K-drama fandom, winning a 대상, such as Artist of the Year at a music awards show or the top acting award at a year-end drama awards, is one of the biggest honors there is.
Where it comes from
대 means "big" or "great" and 상 means "prize" or "award". A different word spelled the same way, 대상 (對象), means "target" or "object", as in 대상 연령 (target age), so context tells them apart.
How to use 대상
Year-end award shows hand out several prizes, but the 대상 is the last and biggest one. Fans count how many 대상 their favorite artist has won as proof of their success.
You say 대상을 받다 or 대상을 타다, "to receive the grand prize". TV networks hold their own year-end awards for dramas and entertainment shows, each with its own 대상.
The word itself is standard Korean, fine in any situation. Congratulating someone with 대상 축하해요! is natural and polite.
Examples
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Asking a friend after an awards show
Congratulating a fellow fan or the artist
Celebrating your favorite group's win
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 대상을 받다 | To win the grand prize | Standard phrase. |
| 대상을 타다 | To win the grand prize | Common spoken alternative. |
| 신인상 | Rookie award | Best new artist or actor. |
| 본상 | Main award | A main category prize, below the 대상. |
Questions learners ask
What is a daesang in K-pop?
It is the grand prize at a music awards show, like Artist, Album or Song of the Year. It is the highest honor of the night.
Does daesang have other meanings?
Yes. A different 대상 means "target" or "subject", as in 대상 연령 (target age). Context makes it clear.
How do you say win a daesang in Korean?
대상을 받다 or 대상을 타다.