BTS has won big at this year's Soribada Best K-Music Awards.
The K-pop juggernaut made a clean sweep of the ceremony's major categories, picking up the Daesang (the grand prize), Bonsang (a shared award viewed as the second most prestigious prize) and the Favourite Male Bias awards.
In a blow to the organisers, BTS were not able to attend the Seoul ceremony, held on August 13, due to work commitments.
The event had to make do with the group accepting their award via a video message.
“We’ve received such a meaningful award from the 2020 Soribada Best K-Music Awards,” said leader RM. “Thank you for giving us such a valuable prize.”
Member Jin went on thank the group's fan base, knows as the "army": “To our army who always loves and supports us, thank you and we love you! It’s because of you that we’re able to receive this award, which is such an honour.”
BTS's achievement is unsurprising considering the success they are enjoying this year, in spite of the pandemic postponing their world tour.
Their latest album, Map of the Soul: 7, is the bestselling physical album of 2020 so far, with 500,000 copies sold, and ninth best when combined with streaming figures.
The seven-member group are also prepping their first English single, Dynamite, set to be released on Friday August 21, with a new album out later this year.
Kang Daniel confirms solo star status
Other key winners of the night included the girl group Twice, which nabbed three awards, including Artist of the Year and a Bonsang. The duo Red Velvet picked up the Music of the Year award, as well a Bonsang, while Kang Daniel was there to pick up a trio of gongs: the Bonsang New K-Wave Real Fan Award and Stage of the Year.
Kang's wins consolidate his path to solo stardom. The former teen dancer was the leader of the 11-member band Wanna One, which was created on the back of the 2017 season of talent show Produce 101. With the group disbanding last year, Kang immediately launched a solo career and recently released Magenta, the second of a trilogy of colour-inspired EPs.
Speaking to The National last week, Kang, 23, expressed his love for his Arab fans and confirmed that a UAE visit is on the cards.
“I really want to visit for a holiday and to meet my fans there in concert where we can spend time together,” he says. “My message to my UAE fans and those in the Arab world is that I hope they enjoy the new EP and I will work harder to make more good music. Hope you stay safe and healthy.”
On the stage front, the Soribada Best K-Music Awards featured performances by Gfriend, Astro, Red Velvet and Itzy. Popular K-drama actors Shin Hyun Bin (Hospital Playlist) and Jin Seo Yeon (Tell Me What You Saw) were also on hand as presenters.
Launched in 2017, the Soribada Best K-Music Awards (also known as Soba) honours artists for works released between the September of the previous year and August. Winners are chosen through a mix of industry data and online votes from fans and critics.
