Expansion of K-pop Category and Confirmation of Global Influence
BTS Jungkook, Spotlighted as Most Nominated
Stray Kids Strengthen Global Presence
With the 2024 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) set to take place on December 12, K-pop artists have once again proven their global music market presence by receiving numerous nominations in major categories. Various K-pop groups and solo artists, including BTS members Jungkook and Jimin, Stray Kids, and Tomorrow X Together (TXT), have made the finalist list.
On the 26th, Billboard announced the finalists for the 2024 BBMAs on its official website. The list was selected based on data from the past year, including album sales, streaming, radio airplay, tour revenue, and social media activity. This year’s data covers the period from October 13, 2023, to October 10, 2024, and K-pop-related categories were newly established in four sections, continuing from last year.
BTS’s Jungkook, who has achieved remarkable success as a solo artist, was nominated in five categories with six nominations: ‘Top Global K-pop Artist,’ ‘Top Global K-pop Song’ (for “Standing Next to You” and “3D”), ‘Top K-pop Album’ (“Golden”), as well as ‘Top Selling Song’ and ‘Top Selling Artist.’ Notably, “Standing Next to You” was nominated in the general pop category ‘Top Selling Song,’ competing against global pop artists. Jungkook has opened the possibility of becoming the first K-pop solo singer to win major Billboard awards by consistently ranking high on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with each release.
Additionally, BTS member Jimin demonstrated his continued popularity by being nominated for ‘Top Global K-pop Song’ and ‘Top Global K-pop Artist’ with the title track “Who” from his solo album MUSE.
Stray Kids received nominations in three categories with four nods: ‘Top Duo/Group,’ ‘Top Global K-pop Artist,’ and ‘Top K-pop Album’ (for “Rockstar” and “Eight”). Particularly, their nomination in the ‘Top Duo/Group’ category places them in competition with world-renowned groups such as Coldplay and Linkin Park, drawing attention.
Tomorrow X Together was nominated for ‘Top Global K-pop Artist,’ ‘Top K-pop Touring Artist,’ and ‘Top K-pop Album’ (for “The Name Chapter: Freefall”), while Enhypen was nominated for ‘Top Global K-pop Artist’ and ‘Top K-pop Touring Artist.’ Seventeen was nominated in the ‘Top K-pop Touring Artist’ category.
ATEEZ was nominated for ‘Top K-pop Album’ with their album “The World Episode Final: Will,” Ailett was nominated for ‘Top Global K-pop Song’ with their debut track “Magnetic,” and LE SSERAFIM was nominated for ‘Top Global K-pop Song’ with “Perfect Night.”
The Billboard Music Awards, alongside the Grammy Awards and American Music Awards, are considered one of the three major music award ceremonies in the United States. Since last year, K-pop categories have been added to reflect K-pop’s global standing. This year’s nominations demonstrate that K-pop is not merely a genre confined to specific fandoms but holds a significant position in the worldwide popular music market.
As anticipation builds around how K-artists will perform on the global stage, the Billboard Music Awards will be held on December 12. The ceremony will be broadcast live on the U.S. FOX network and Amazon Fire TV channels.
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