BTS sweeps 2020 Golden Disc Awards
K-pop group BTS member Jungkook speaks after receiving at the 34th Golden Disc Awards, held at Gocheok Sky Dome, western Seoul, Sunday.
By Lee Gyu-lee
K-pop phenomenon BTS won top two awards at the 34th Golden Disc Awards, held over the weekend at Gocheok Sky Dome, western Seoul.
The seven-member band's 2019 album “Map of the Soul: Persona” won Album of the Year and its title song “Boy with Luv” became the Song of the Year. The group also took home special awards including TikTok Golden Disc Popularity Award and Fans' Choice K-Pop Star Award.
“We've had such a happy year last year, working hard and getting rest,” the group's leader RM said as the group went on stage to receive the awards. As he recalled the first time the group met its producer Bang Si-hyuk in 2010, he looked back on the decade.
“For the new decade of 2020s, we will always stand together with our fans ARMY. We will cherish every one of our fans,” he said.
He also addressed allegations of chart manipulation by some artists. “I hope those artists' honest efforts will reach out to the audiences in a fair and just way,” he said.
Started in 1986, the Golden Disc Awards is one of the biggest awards in Korea's music industry. The two-day award festival celebrates the outstanding achievements of Korean artists in two divisions ― Digital Songs on the first day, and Albums on the second. The selection process is assessed through sales and evaluation by reporters, producers, and critics.
NU'EST, Monsta X, NCT Dream, GOT7, TWICE, SEVENTEEN, EXO star Baekhyun, EXO-SC, and Super Junior won Album Bonsang, the second-highest prize. Best performance awards went to girl group (G)I-DLE and boy band ASTRO.
Lee Seung-gi and actress Park So-dam Were MCs at the ceremony, with Kim Tae-hee, Han Ye-seul, and Jung Woo-sung, among others, presenting the awards.