The girl group NewJeans on March 6 won Group of the Year at this year's Billboard Women in Music Awards at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. (Billboard's official website)

By Choi Jin-woo

NewJeans has won K-pop's first Group of the Year honor at the Billboard Women in Music Awards of the U.S.

The girl group on March 6 earned the prize at the awards ceremony held at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.

NewJeans was the first winner of the category in nine years after Fifth Harmony of the U.S. in 2015.

At the ceremony, American country singer Lainey Wilson, the presenter of the award, introduced the group by saying, "NewJeans has helped lead a new wave of girl groups in K-pop, a genre long dominated by men."

"To be here today celebrating Women's History Month and to participate in an awards show that's overflowing with such amazing artists is so surreal and it's hard to believe we're in the same room as you all," group member Hanni said in the acceptance speech.

"I'd like to thank all the artists that are here because without your music, I don't think we would have been able to grow up so inspired. Our love and passion for music has grown so much, thanks to you all."

NewJeans afterwards performed its hits "Super Shy" and "ETA."

Last year, the group had five songs -- "OMG," "Ditto," "Super Shy," "ETA" and "Cool With You" -- on the Billboard main singles chart Hot 100 and topped the Billboard 200 albums chart with its second EP "Get Up."

paramt@korea.kr