BTS returns with major victory

K-pop group BTS, which recently returned to the music scene after its members completed their military service, won the top prize — “Artist of the Year” — at the American Music Awards (AMA), a fan-voted ceremony held Monday in Las Vegas, Reuters reported.

The group was also named Best K-pop Boy Group, while the single “Swim” was awarded Song of the Summer.

BTS dominated the Artist of the Year category, where nominees also included Taylor Swift, who has won the most AMA trophies in history, as well as Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, and Lady Gaga, among others, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

“We did it again!” RM, one of BTS’s members, told ecstatic fans at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. BTS previously won this award in 2021.

“Our biggest thanks and deepest gratitude go to our army all around the world,” RM added, referring to the name used for BTS fans. “You have been with us for the past 13 years.”

BTS took a break from music in 2022, when all seven members completed mandatory military service in South Korea. In March, they returned with their fifth studio album, “Arirang,” which spent two weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 chart — a first for any K-pop group or artist.

In other K-pop news, the Song of the Year award went to singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the voices behind the fictional group HUNTR/X and the song “Golden” from the Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters. The three singers won a total of three AMA awards.

Katseye, an international girl group with members from four countries, also took home three trophies, including Best New Artist.

Taylor Swift had received the most nominations — eight — including Album of the Year for “The Life of a Showgirl” and Song of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia.” However, she did not win in any category and did not attend the event.

Sabrina Carpenter, who was also absent from the ceremony, won Album of the Year for “Man’s Best Friend,” along with two other awards.

Indie musician Sombr, aged 20, won three trophies, including Best Rock/Alternative Song for “Back to Friends.”

“I wrote this song when I was 19 and sitting alone and depressed in my bedroom,” he said on stage. “Now I’m here — I never would have expected this.”

Billy Idol, an icon of 1980s rock music, received a lifetime achievement award. The 70-year-old singer reflected on starting his punk-rock career in 1976.

“I thought it would only last six months, let alone 50 years,” Idol said before performing “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself.”

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