Taylor who? K-pop steals the show at the American Music Awards

If there were any doubts the return of BTS to the stage after a years-long hiatus, the 52nd American Music Awards erased them.

The mega-popular K-Pop group took home the biggest prize of the night, best artist, for their new album Arirang, a win the crowd endorsed by feverishly chanting their name. Taylor Swift’s name, meanwhile, was nowhere to be heard (nor was she seen).

“We made it once again,” BTS member RM said while accepting the coveted trophy in Las Vegas on Tuesday (AEST). “It’s an honour to have this precious award after everyone [has] done their military service … Our biggest thanks and gratitude goes to the ‘ARMYs’ [fans] all over the world who stood by us for the past 13 years.”

BTS also won the best male K-Pop artist award and song of the summer gong for their track Swim, the lead single of their first album since returning to the limelight earlier this year. It was their leather-clad opening performance of Hooligan that truly riled up the crowd, though.

The seven member group, largely credited for bringing K-Pop to global audiences, temporarily disbanded in 2022 to complete mandatory South Korean military service. However, they returned to the stage in March, topping the charts with Arirang and sending fans into a rapture after announcing a world tour.

The response to their new album was mixed – indicative of the fragmented and saturated K-Pop industry they returned to – but their success at the AMAs seemingly confirms their ongoing appeal, repositioning them as a global force to be reckoned with.

They pipped AMA veteran Swift, who despite receiving the most nominations, failed to win any trophies, continuing her dry run from last year. (Swift remains the award show’s most decorated artist, with 40 prizes to her name.)

Even her chart-topping hit The Fate of Ophelia received no love, losing twice to HUNTR/X’s Golden – first in the song of year category and then in best pop song.

Golden won three awards, marking yet another shining moment for K-Pop at the AMAs. Beyond song of the year and best pop song, it also claimed best vocal performance for HUNTR/X members EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. The song, which features in Netflix’s record-breaking animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, also won an Academy Award this year for best original song.

If you’re confused about how both BTS and HUNTR/X – two decidedly non-American groups – could feature so prominently at the American Music Awards, you’re not alone. Despite the name, the AMAs are open to artists from around the globe. The only requirement is that their music is released and distributed in the US.

KATSEYE continued the theme throughout the ceremony, emceed by Queen Latifah (who last hosted 31 years ago), picking up the best new artist prize. Technically a global act – with its six members hailing from different countries – KATSEYE is co-managed by the South Korean entertainment giant HYBE (which also manages BTS), making it arguably another win for K-Pop.

Sabrina Carpenter, who last month wowed crowds at Coachella alongside Madonna, won album of the year with the deliciously cheeky Man’s Best Friend, as well as best pop album and best female pop artist. Justin Bieber was named best pop artist, his first win after years largely out of the spotlight.

Y2K-coded pop princess Zara Larsson took home prizes for breakthrough album of the year with Midnight Sun and collaboration of the year with Stateside, which she released with PinkPantheress.

In a particularly nostalgic moment for Millennials, The Black Eyed Peas appeared on stage together to accept the award for best throwback song for Rock That Body.

In fact, it was ultimately an evening of throwbacks. The night was punctuated with blast-from-the-past songs from Hootie & the Blowfish (who haven’t performed at the AMAs in nearly three decades), The Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes and New Kids on the Block.

But perhaps the most endearing of all was Billy Idol, who, after accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 50 years in the business, sent the crowd into a tizzy with a rendition of both Eyes Without a Face and Dancing with Myself. At the age of 70, the punk rocker’s still got it.

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