BTS wins Favorite Social Artist at American Music Awards

BTS has become the first Korean band to win an award at the American Music Awards (AMA). The sensational K-pop boy band won the Favorite Social Artist at the 2018 American Music Awards, which was held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles Tuesday (local time).

BTS was nominated for Favorite Social Artist with other artists such as Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes, and Cardi B. BTS performed their hit song “DNA” at last year’s AMA. Psy, who took the world by storm with his song “Gangnam Style,” received the New Media Honor Award at the 2012 AMA.

BTS, however, could not attend the award ceremony as they just arrived in London due to their Europe tour. Appearing in a pre-recorded video, BTS said, “We’re so thrilled to win the Favorite Social Artist Award! Sorry we can’t be there, we’re in London, starting the European leg of our tour. We just finished touring America.” BTS did not forget to thank their fans. “Thank you Army, so much, for voting for us for this very special award!”

The winner of the Favorite Social Artists is determined by fan votes on the AMA website and Twitter.

The AMA, along with the Billboards Music Awards, is one of the most emblematic music awards in the U.S. that awards the most commercial and popular artists of the time. The Korean boy band won the Top Social Artist Award at Billboard Music Awards in May this year, becoming the first Korean artist to win the award for two years in a row.

BTS is kicking off the European leg of their “Love Yourself” Europe tour, starting with the concert at The O2 Arena in London on Wednesday (local time).


imi@donga.com