LAS VEGAS – K-pop sensation BTS scored the top honour of Artist of the Year on Monday at the fan-voted American Music Awards in Las Vegas, marking their second win of the prestigious award.
The globally popular boy band, which recently returned to the world stage after completing South Korea’s mandatory military service, won the same prize in 2021 – a year before going on hiatus as all seven members took part in conscription.
Group leader RM thanked the band’s fans, known as “ARMY,” for their steadfast support.
“Thank you, it’s an honour to have this precious award once again after everyone done their military service,” RM said. “Like the legendary Busta Rhymes said, it’s a fan-voted award, so our biggest thanks and gratitude goes to the ARMYs all over the world.”
This year, the group also claimed Best Male K-Pop Artist and Song of the Summer for the single “Swim.”
Other Winners
Katseye, a global girl group with members from four countries, also took home three awards, including New Artist of the Year.
Taylor Swift, who had been the leading nominee heading into the ceremony with eight nods, did not win in any of the categories and did not attend the event.
Sabrina Carpenter, who was also absent, earned Album of the Year for “Man’s Best Friend” and two other awards.
Billy Idol, an icon of 1980s rock, received a Lifetime Achievement honour for his 50-year music career.
Another major winner was Colombian star Karol G, who received the International Artist Award of Excellence.
“I want to say that more than anything, this career has given me the most important thing in my life: purpose. I found purpose through my music,” Karol G said.
