Global K-pop trendsetters BTS have become renowned artists in the music industry in the past few years. On November 21, BTS achieved a new milestone by winning several awards and performing at the 49th Annual American Music Awards.
Releasing two full English tracks, a Japanese album, several collaborations, and topping the Billboard Hot 100, BTS has had an incredible year. As award season takes off, their hard work is being recognized. Last night they shined throughout their stages, winning three awards, including the biggest prize of the night: Artist Of The Year.
STARTING THE NIGHT
Kicking off the show, BTS’s first performance of the night included a collaboration stage with Coldplay. They performed their collaboration track “My Universe.” This was the first time the groups got to perform the song together after its release back in September. The stage combined with purple, pink, and blue lights showed BTS singing and dancing beside Coldplay’s vocalist Chris Martin.
The winner for the award “Favorite Pop Duo/Group” was announced shortly after the performance. BTS for the third year in a row took home the award. During their speech, the members thanked their fans ARMY for the love and support over the past few years.
Toward the middle of the show, the boy group accepted the award for “Favorite Pop Song” for the track “Butter.” The members again showed their gratitude to the fans. BTS’s leader RM expressed that with the song they wanted to convey positive energy despite hard times.
“Butter has received so much love this year, all we wanted to do was just put out positive energy despite of this hard times. You know, this award truly proves that this song reaches many people’s hearts. We never take it for granted. Thank you so much,” said RM
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Fast forward to the end of the ceremony, the category of Artist Of The Year was introduced. BTS were nominated alongside Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Drake, Ariana Grande, and The Weeknd and BTS won. This became a historical moment for the band as they are the first Asian act to ever win Artist of The Year at the award show. When accepting the award RM nervously explained how honored they felt and how being in that stage was a miracle. “We are truly honored to be on this stage with such amazing tremendous artists.”
He also reminisced on the group’s first appearance at the AMAs back in 2017. “Four years ago, we had, we gave this, first time ever TV live performance at this stage, AMAs. It was ‘DNA.’ We were too excited and nervous at the time, and it’s been a long and amazing ride since then. But nobody could’ve ever bet on the odds of us standing here receiving this award, except ya’ll ARMY.” He then continued, “Seven boys from Korea united by love from music, met the love and support from all the ARMY’s all over the world. This whole thing is a miracle. Seriously, we’ll never take this for granted. Thank you so much.”
Rapper Suga in his speech thanked the fans in Korean, followed by vocalists Jungkook and V. They addressed the audience in English saying they wanted to make people happy with their music and how deeply touched they felt by the award.
LAST PERFORMANCE
BTS closed the event with an exclusive performance of “Butter.” All dressed in yellow, the septet exhibited their steady vocals and signature dance. A highlight of the stage came when RM rapped the iconic lyrics “Got ARMY right behind us when we say so” and the whole stage turned purple. This also marked the band’s first in-person appearance after two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Later that night the group didn’t miss the opportunity to demonstrate their gratitude for the fans and took on V-Live and Twitter to show their love.
With an exclusive performance of “Permission To Dance”, the group is set to make an appearance at the Late Late Show on November 23.
Want more on BTS? Read about Jin’s OST here!
Thumbnail courtesy of HYBE.
