BTS on Nov. 21 takes a commemorative photo after winning three awards including Artist of the Year at this year's American Music Awards in Los Angeles. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae

BTS is the first Asian act to win the top honor of the American Music Awards (AMAs)' Artist of the Year.

At Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, the K-pop phenomenon on Nov. 21 also earned the AMA for Favorite Pop Duo/Group for the third straight year and that for Favorite Pop Song for "Butter."

The group also won the final award of the night, Artist of the Year, thus winning all three of its nominated categories.

Launched in 1974, the AMAs are one of the two biggest music awards in the U.S. along with the Grammys. The AMAs are awarded based on fan votes, while the Grammys are decided by music industry figures. 

Grammy nominees will be announced on Nov. 24.

BTS leader RM said, "Nobody could have ever bet on the odds of us standing here receiving this award except Army."

"Seven boys from Korea united by love for music met the love and support from all the Armies all over the world. This whole thing is a miracle. Seriously, we will never take this for granted. Thank you so much."

Suga said in Korean, "We never thought we would win this grand prize. We owe all this to Army and thank you."

Jungkook said with an excited expression, "We just wanted to make people happy with our music. We believe that this award opens the beginning of our new chapter."

This is the first time in two years that BTS attended the ceremony in person. The group at the event performed "My Universe," a collaborative song with Coldplay.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum wrote in a congratulatory message on his Facebook page, "In the U.S., the birthplace of pop, this is truly an astounding accomplishment that raised the pride of K-pop."

"I want to stress the huge meaning of BTS songs giving comfort and happiness to not only Koreans, but people around the world."

km137426@korea.kr