BTS accept the award for Best Pop Video for 'On' during the MTV Video Music Awards. AP
BTS accept the award for Best Pop Video for 'On' during the MTV Video Music Awards. AP
BTS accept the award for Best Pop Video for 'On' during the MTV Video Music Awards. AP
BTS accept the award for Best Pop Video for 'On' during the MTV Video Music Awards. AP

Why weren't BTS nominated for Artist of the Year? It's time they got more award recognition


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

It’s already been a milestone year for K-pop superstars BTS.

After setting a new YouTube record for having the most-watched music video within 24 hours, they've also now become the first Asian band to win one of the main categories at the MTV Video Music Awards, taking home the trophy for Best Pop for On on Sunday.

And, while it’s a good start, this doesn’t feel like nearly enough recognition.

This year, the Korean group were up for three main VMAs: Best Choreography, Best Pop and Best K-Pop for their music video for On – they swept up the categories they were nominated in. They also won the fan-voted award for Best Group, too.

But for a band that has had a meteoric rise to fame in the past couple of years, why weren’t they also nominated for the night's most prominent awards, such as Video of the Year, Artist of the Year or Song of the Year?

An increased focus on K-pop

It was only last year that MTV announced the addition of a Best K-pop category at the VMAs, and the decision drew immediate backlash. After all, the MTV Europe Music Awards have already had a Best Korean Act category since 2013, but they also honour acts from other countries (such as Best Indian Act or Best French Act).

The sudden inclusion of the genre was viewed as move specifically catered to BTS and their fans rather than one that truly recognised and honoured the best of the Korean pop music industry. It essentially seemed as though it was another way to get BTS at the show and draw ratings without having to give them an award that was seemingly reserved for a western artist.

BTS perform during the 2020 MTV VMAs. Reuters
BTS perform during the 2020 MTV VMAs. Reuters

However, it isn’t just the VMAs where this happens. In the past, other US award shows have followed a similar suit, such as the American Music Awards (AMAs) and Billboard Music Awards, which have given BTS the fan-voted Favourite Social Artist or Top Social Artist awards.

'The time will come' 

The group made history at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards by taking home the trophy for Top Duo/Group, beating acts such as Maroon 5 and Imagine Dragons – although that shouldn't really be too surprising. By the time the awards aired in May, the septet of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook had already scored their third No 1 album on the Billboard 200 charts.

However, what originally looked like a promising awards season was followed by disappointment as fans felt the group were snubbed at the 2020 Grammy Awards, viewed as possibly the highest honour a musician can receive.

There were high hopes their track Boy with Luv, a collaboration with Halsey, would get a nod for Song of the Year or, at the very least, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance or Best World Music Album.

Halsey even tweeted her thoughts at the time, writing: "BTS deserved many nominations. I am, however, unsurprised that they weren't acknowledged. The US is so far behind on the whole movement. The time will come."

But do these awards actually matter? 

Despite the lack of nominations, BTS have continued to just do what they do best: sell records and entertain fans. Earlier this month, they released their first English-language track Dynamite, with a new album set for the end of the year.

The group may not be as laden with awards in America as they are in South Korea – where they have won several Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year honours – but there's no denying their popularity. After all, their first concert in the US sold out in 20 minutes and they continually top charts around the world.

But is success in America, or more importantly at American award shows, what defines success overall? Even when it comes to the coveted Grammys, there are artists who win Song of the Year and go on to become one-hit wonders, never topping the charts again, while those who have never won a Grammy continually find success in their careers.

So, while it is disappointing they’re still being passed over for top awards, their most recent win at the VMAs does at least feel like a step in the right direction, especially for a group that's already broken many barriers on the way to conquering the (music) world.

Scroll through our gallery below to BTS over the years: 

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Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
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  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

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3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

Rajasthan Royals 153-5 (17.5 ov)
Delhi Daredevils 60-4 (6 ov)

Rajasthan won by 10 runs (D/L method)

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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Company name: Dharma

Date started: 2018

Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: TravelTech

Funding stage: Pre-series A 

Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs

The specs
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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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SPECS
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Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')

THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
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Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Director: Anu Menon

Rating: Three out of five stars

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Transmission: 10-speed auto

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Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray 

Company%20Profile
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