The 2023 Billboard Music Awards announced its winners on Sunday, November 19. For this year’s edition, the prestigious music award-giving body witnessed the inclusion of four new K-pop categories: Top Global K-Pop Artist, Top K-Pop Album, Top Global K-Pop Song, and Top K-Pop Touring Artist.
Notably, the Billboard Music Awards determines victors based on performance metrics from the year-end Billboard charts, with the tracking period for this year extending from November 4, 2022, to October 12, 2023.
Apart from the announcement of winners, K-pop fans were also treated to performances of groups NewJeans and Stray Kids. During the award night, NewJeans showcased their hit songs “Super Shy” and “OMG.” Meanwhile, Stray Kids debuted their latest title track “LALALA.”
Billboard Music Awards 2023 Winners
One of the winners is rookie group NewJeans, who secured the title of Top Global K-pop artist. In their acceptance speech, Hanni expressed her gratitude to fans.
TOP GL🌎BAL K-POP ARTIST! Huge congratulations @newjeans_ADOR! 🩵 #NewJeans_BBMAs pic.twitter.com/R4ebE7PV2N
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) November 20, 2023
“To have been nominated in this category alongside such incredible artists that we all look up to is an honor in itself,” Hanni said. Meanwhile, Minji added: “This award will be a reminder to us for all the love and support we’ve received from our fans, BUNNIES. We’ll try our hardest every day to make it up to our fans.”
On top of that, Hyein also gave a shout out to her fellow NewJeans members. “We’re always looking out for one another – inspiring, helping, believing. But above all, forming this unbreakable friendship.”
Another winner is Stray Kids, who claimed the Top K-pop Album award for 5-STAR. During their speech, leader Bang Chan was quick to acknowledge their fans, STAYS. “Without the love and support from everyone, we would probably not have made it this far,” he said. Meanwhile, Changbin, speaking in Korean, promised that they would continue to work on better music for their fans.
"5-Star" by @Stray_Kids gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a #BBMAs WIN for Top K-Pop Album! 🏆 Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/YsM8gJ6O2X
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) November 20, 2023
Additionally, BTS’ Jungkook received the award for Top Global K-pop Song with “Seven (feat. Latto.)” In his acceptance video, the BTS member said that the win is “truly an honor.” “Without you, I couldn’t have gotten this amazing award,” he said to ARMYs.
Furthermore, BLACKPINK secured the award for Top K-pop Touring Artist of the Year.
.@BLACKPINK is the Top K-Pop Touring Artist of the year! 🤩🔝 #BBMAs pic.twitter.com/2bDUU7ClYr
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) November 19, 2023
Featured image: NewJeans is named Top Global K-pop Artist. Credit: Twitter/Billboard