Groups Stray Kids and Newjeans followed in the footsteps of BTS, holding congratulatory performances and winning awards at the ‘2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs).’ The awards ceremony took place on the morning of the 20th (Korean time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in a non-face-to-face format.
The ‘Billboard Music Awards’ is considered one of the three major U.S. music awards ceremonies, along with the ‘Grammy Awards’ and ‘American Music Awards.’ Fifty Fifty was nominated for the ‘Top Duo/Group’ category, Newjeans for ‘Top Billboard Global (excluding the U.S.) Artist,’ and BTS Jimin’s ‘Like Crazy’ for ‘Top Selling Song,’ but they did not win in their respective categories.
This year’s awards ceremony added a total of nine new categories, with four of them related to K-pop. Stray Kids and Newjeans were not only nominated but also selected as performers, taking the stage at the ‘Billboard Music Awards.’ Stray Kids’ ‘5-STAR’ was nominated in the ‘Top K-pop Album’ category alongside Jimin’s ‘FACE,’ Newjeans’ ‘Get Up,’ TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s ‘TEMPTAION,’ and TWICE’s ‘READY TO BE,’ securing its first win in this category.
Immediately after winning, Stray Kids expressed their gratitude, stating, “We sincerely thank all the STAYs (fanclub name) around the world. Without your love and support, we probably wouldn’t have made it this far, and our music wouldn’t have reached the world. Thanks to the fans who sent a lot of love to Stray Kids’ music filled with determination, we were able to receive this precious award. We will do our best to show better stages and wonderful performances in the future.”
In addition, Stray Kids performed the title track ‘SUPER CLASS’ from their third full-length album, which topped the Billboard 200 main album chart, and the title track ‘樂’ from their new album, captivating global music fans with powerful performances and explosive energy.
Prior to Stray Kids, Newjeans performed ‘Super Shy’ and ‘OMG,’ which had entered the main single chart ‘Hot 100,’ enhancing the atmosphere of the awards ceremony with lively choreography and energetic vibes.
In the ‘Top K-pop Touring Artist’ category, BLACKPINK competed with SUGA, TWICE, and others, securing the trophy. Jungkook’s ‘Seven’ was selected as the winner in the ‘Top Global K-pop Song’ category, competing with FIFTY FIFTY’s ‘Cupid,’ Jimin’s ‘Like Crazy,’ Newjeans’ ‘Ditto,’ and ‘OMG.’
It should be noted that last year, BTS achieved a three-time victory, winning in the categories of ‘Top Duo/Group,’ ‘Top Song Sales Artist,’ and ‘Top Selling Song,’ marking six consecutive years of winning awards.
