If someone told me 3 years ago that a non-English act would become America’s Top Group in 2019, I would have laughed out loud and thought the person was out of his mind.
But – the impossible came true on November 24, 2019 on the American Music Awards Show (AMAs).
The South Korean group, BTS, was voted by fans as America’s Best Group (Favorite Duo or Group (Pop/Rock). The legendary septet also won Tour of the year for their sold-out “Love Yourself, Speak Yourself Worldwide Tour; and was also voted as the Favorite Social Artist of the year.
#AmericasBestGroupBTS trended on Twitter as ARMYs celebrated the victory of their faves. With these achievements, BTS made history as the first Non-English speaking band to be nominated and to win the Favorite Duo or Group (Pop/Rock) at the American Music Awards. Their other two wins were also the first for a foreign artist singing non-English songs. Isn’t that amazing?
Previously, they were not declared winners by the PCA (People’s Choice Awards), although BTS has apparently won the fans’ votes. The results shocked fans all over the world, who were keeping tab of the unofficial tally of the fans’ votes.
The Grammys also snubbed the phenomenal accomplishments of the boys. Some said they were not nominated because their music was not in English; however, this analysis belies BTS last year’s Grammy nomination for Best Recording Package. ARMYs were expecting them to earn, at least, a nomination – but to no avail.
Their album was #1 on the charts and had humongous sales, and their tour sold out within minutes, yet they were not nominated even for one Grammy award among the more than 80 categories. The Grammys talk about diversity but it doesn’t show in their choices of the nominations. It was incomprehensible how the Grammys ignored the achievements of BTS, the most popular boy band in the world and their sold out album and tour/
During Halsey’s acceptance speech, she talked about how some award shows are not what they truly are, obviously referring to the Grammys. She went on to thank the AMAs for giving fans the chance to speak out.
Several media sites and famous personalities spoke in defense of BTS. This demonstrates that there’s a valid reasons why ARMYs are disappointed. Nevertheless, instead of wallowing in their disappointment, ARMYs took to iTunes and charted the whole BTS discography – for the second time – in a month. That was another history made by ARMY and BTS.
Meanwhile, as ARMYs celebrated on Twitter, BTS has delivered two, brief acceptance speeches for their incredible wins.
Here are some interesting tweets from ARMYs.
Love that Namjoon said they've been together for 6.5 yrs. They aren't new. They aren't a phase. They're artists who've worked their asses off, earned a loyal fanbase due to dedication, talent, & authenticity, & deserve to be awarded for the artists they are. #AmericasBestGroupBTS
— Lauren 💜 (@LaurenJP68) November 25, 2019
Omg omg omg. Look at them. This is imo one of the biggest honors. Winning Tour of the Year as Korean artists singing in Korean in the US.
A tour for which ppl buy tickets and travel hundreds or even thousands of kilometres. 🥳🥳🥳 Congrats, loves~ @BTS_twt #AmericasBestGroupBTS pic.twitter.com/Geuj90FcXr— Moony (@chimchimiiie) November 25, 2019
.@BTS_twt at 2019 American Music Awards
🔹3/3 noms won
🔹1st non-English speaking act to win Top Group Pop/Rock
🔹1st non-English speaking act to win Tour of the Year
🔹2nd biggest winner of the night without attending
🔹Asian act with most AMAs in history#AmericasBestGroupBTS pic.twitter.com/nls4GoloEG— K-Charts and Translations (@charts_k) November 25, 2019
This is what happens when a legit award show counts actual votes. Thanks #AMAs & congratulations to @BTS_twt and ARMY for taking home three awards tonight & to the other winners, esp. Halsey. #AmericasBestGroupBTS
— Kookie Crumbles 💜 (@Crumbles4Kookie) November 25, 2019
[FACTS] @BTS_twt becomes the only Asian Artist with the most awards won (4) at the #AMAs of all time !! 🔥#AmericasBestGroupBTS #BTS pic.twitter.com/NStvmuIKNb
— BTS News Facts (@btsnewsfact) November 25, 2019
I'm so proud of #AmericasBestGroupBTS. They've won so many awards over the years, but the disturbing recent trend by Western shows of shutting them out/marginalizing them makes these 3 wins especially sweet.
Proud to be an ARMY now and forever! Congratulations @BTS_twt!!
— 💜 msbeatrice 💜 (@msbeatrice_81) November 25, 2019
Most of ARMY’s tweets expressed their happiness with BTS’ wins. Many were not surprised at all, as all ARMYs went out of their way to vote for the boys. ARMYs wanted to ensure that this time, BTS would win.
And they did!
Congratulations! BTS. Keep winning!
