 |
| Boy band BTS is the first K-pop act to receive the "Group of the Year" award from American magazine Variety. Courtesy of Big Hit Entertainment |
By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop phenomenon BTS has become the first K-pop act to win the "Group of the Year" award from American entertainment magazine Variety, the band's agency Big Hit Entertainment said Wednesday.
"The record-breaking septet has solidified their status as global superstars, rounding out one of the largest stadium tours of the year and releasing a string of top-selling singles," the magazine said on its website Tuesday (local time), as it announced the honorees for "Variety's 2019 Hitmakers."
This year, BTS released its sixth mini-album "MAP OF THE SOUL: PERSONA," fronted by lead number "Boy With Luv," and had a "LOVE YOURSELF: SPEAK YOURSELF" world tour of 23 cities around the globe, attracting more than 2 million people.
The group also made headlines as the first K-pop act to perform at Wembley Stadium in London and Citi Field in New York. It clinched the "Top Duo/Group" and "Top Social Artist" awards at the Billboard Music Awards in May.
"Variety's 2019 Hitmakers" was launched in 2017 to recognize "the writers, producers, publishers, managers, and executives who helped make ― and break ― the 25 most consumed songs of the year as compiled by BuzzAngle Music." The awards ceremony will take place on Dec. 7 in Los Angeles. Big Hit has not yet disclosed whether the seven-piece group will head to America for the ceremony.
American singer-songwriter Bille Eilish, who has risen to global stardom with her smash-hit song "Bad Guy" released in March, has been named the "Hitmaker of the Year." Universal Music Group's Republic Records, home to pop stars Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, was singled out as the "Label of the Year."
BTS, comprising RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, V, Jimin and Jungkook, is poised to appear at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) on Dec. 4 at the Nagoya Dome in Japan.
