BTS Makes History at the AMAs!

BTS went three for three at the American Music Awards on Sunday to become the first ever Asian group to be honored with the Favorite Duo or Group trophy, beating western superstars such as the Jonas Brothers and Panic! At the Disco. The septet also won for Tour of the Year and, for the second consecutive year, Favorite Social Artist.

With five trophies, Taylor Swift was the only artist to take home more awards. (BTS tied with Khalid, who also won three AMAs.)

ARMY! @BTS_twt is your #AMAs Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock! CONGRATS 🎉 pic.twitter.com/qfgdm7I1gS

— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 25, 2019

BTS didn’t attend this year, because they were already committed to greeting their Japanese fans at their annual Muster (fanmeeting) in Chiba. But they sent along video messages thanking their fanbase, which is collectively known as ARMY.

The band’s leader Kim Nam-Joon (also known simply as RM) said: “BTS has been a group for six and a half years and throughout those years, we had so many of our dreams somehow manifest into reality. ARMY! You guys are the ones who make all of this possible. We really couldn’t have done it without your love and support from all over the world. We’ll try our best to live up to it to strive high, work hard and return your love back to you.”

BTS and the AMAs have a short, but strong history together. Last year, BTS became the first Korean group to win an AMA (for Favorite Social Artist). And in 2017, the group made their U.S. television debut with an electrifying rendition of “DNA” at the AMAs. (The performance was the first by any Korean group on a prominent American awards show.)

Eagle-eyed fans were delighted to spot a representative from their management company, Big Hit Entertainment, sitting proudly in the audience. Big Hit’s co-ceo Lenzo Yoon was nattily dressed in a suit, smiling each time BTS was announced as the winner. Later, he took a photo with RM’s “Seoul Town Road” collaborator Lil Nas X.

The American Music Awards wins were vindication for ARMY, who felt slighted by BTS’ shutout at the People’s Choice Awards earlier this month, where the band was nominated for Music Video, Favorite Group and Concert Tour.

There was also disappointment that the Grammy Awards failed to nominate BTS for any awards, given that their 2019 album “Map of the Soul: Persona” sold so many copies that it debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. It was a historic achievement, because it was their third album to reach the top in less than a year. The last group to do so was none other than the Beatles.

But this AMAs sweep marks a satisfying start to the last few weeks left of 2019. Variety magazine selected BTS as the Group of the Year. And RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook will return to the U.S. for a December 6 concert at the iHeart Radio’s Jingle Ball at the Forum near Los Angeles.