By Hong Angie

Video = AMA's official YouTube channel

"ARMYs, we made it once again! Thank you, it's an honor to have this precious award once again after everybody done their military service."

BTS leader RM said this on May 25 after the K-pop supernova won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The group won the top honor of the awards for the second time since making history as the first Asian act to win it in 2021.

Beating out global superstars for the honor such as Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber and Bad Bunny in a neck-and-neck competition, BTS also won Song of the Summer for "Swim" and Best Male K-Pop Artist.

Song of the Summer goes to a tune with the highest popular appeal and cultural influence that season as an iconic category that identifies the most popular song of the year.

But BTS was not the only K-pop act to go home with awards. "Golden," the hit from the soundtrack for the animated blockbuster "KPop Demon Hunters," won Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance and Best Pop Song.

Its haul rose to four as the film also won Best Soundtrack.

The international K-pop girl group KATSEYE on May 25 won three American Music Awards including New Artist of the Year at the ceremony held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (Group's official Instagram account)

The international K-pop girl group KATSEYE also claimed three awards: New Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Pop Artist and Best Music Video for "Gnarly."

TWICE was named Best Female K-Pop Artist.

The 11 trophies K-pop earned at these awards again punctuated the genre's major influence on global entertainment and culture.

shong9412@korea.kr