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Standout moments at the 52nd American Music Awards: BTS, the cast of 'KPop Demon Hunters', KATSEYE & TWICE

Standout moments at the 52nd American Music Awards: BTS, the cast of 'KPop Demon Hunters', KATSEYE & TWICE

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The glitz and glamour of red carpet season rages on as the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) carpet receives some of the industry's rising stars and iconic legends for a night of recognition and celebration. This year's instalment of the awards spotlights more Asian artists, with several K-pop artists being nominated across categories outside of the usual Favourite K-pop Artist category.

This year's awards feature two K-pop-specific categories, including Best Male K-Pop Artist and Best Female K-Pop Artist. The former category sees K-pop royalty such as ATEEZ, BTS, ENHYPEN, Stray Kids, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER nominated, with the latter category presenting an electrifying ensemble of the most fiery female groups, including aespa, BLACKPINK, ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, and TWICE.

Winners

BTS

However, Asian artists are not just confined to these two categories this year. This year marks a monumental moment with Asian artists winning among international nominees as well. Beginning with one of the biggest wins in a major category, BTS dazzles the crowd as their lead single 'SWIM' from their comeback album ARIRANG won the Song of the Summer category.

During their speech, RM shared, “Thank you so much for giving so much love to ‘SWIM’. When we made this album, we felt a lot of pressure and tried to figure out what kind of music felt the most like us right now. But the one thing we believed in was that we have to keep challenging ourselves and keep moving forward.” V then added, “To everyone out there who keeps swimming, we send you our love and support.”

Nominated against some of this year's most viral hits, like the shimmering allure of Harry Styles' 'American Girls', the sassy energy of PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson's 'Stateside', and even the haunting rhythm of Tame Impala and JENNIE's 'Dracula'.

That was certainly not the only time BTS would be on stage to accept an award, as they had a clean sweep, winning all the categories they were nominated for. They claimed their throne as the kings of K-pop as they won the award for Best Male K-Pop Artist.

Rounding off their series of wins for the evening, they prove that they are not just a force to be reckoned with within the K-pop scene, but in the global music scene as well, claiming the coveted Artist of the Year award, marking a pivotal moment that reinforces their influence even after their temporary hiatus. RM thanked ARMYs once again for their support as he says, "...Our biggest thanks and gratitude always goes to ARMYs all over the world."

    HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami)

    Soaring through more extremely deserving wins, the air went still as the nominees were listed for the prestigious Song of the Year category. While everyone eagerly awaited to know which song soundtracked 2025 and 2026, the crowd erupted into cheers as the empowering anthem 'Golden' from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters emerged victorious.

    'Golden' also triumphed in the beloved Best Pop Song category against an all-star lineup of nominees that included Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift.

    The bold voices of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami also had their moment to shine as they took home the award for Best Vocal Performance. With 'Golden' having sparked a viral TikTok trend centred around attempting its legendary high note, their win in the category felt especially well deserved.

    Last but not least, after winning every category they were nominated in at the AMAs, the official KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack secured the Best Soundtrack award. Not only did the win highlight the film’s expansive global reach, but it also symbolised the continued growth of K-pop culture beyond borders as audiences around the world embrace its appeal.

    KATSEYE

    In the name of spotlighting global groups, KATSEYE stepped up onto the stage to accept their award for the New Artist of the Year category. During KATSEYE’s acceptance speech, Sophia gave a heartfelt shoutout to BTS, thanking the group for inspiring them to represent their culture on a global scale.

    Known for their extremely vibrant and over-the-top visuals, KATSEYE also took home the amazing Best Music Video award for 'Gnarly'. "You could describe everything with one single word," and it would be awesome, as KATSEYE also had a clean sweep receiving the award for Breakthrough Pop Artist. Their wins are a testament to their rapid rise from their debut to dominating festival stages, and now winning awards with their explosive sonic style and undeniable ability to deliver hit after hit.

    TWICE

    One of the most monumental wins of the evening went to TWICE, who emerged victorious in the Best Female K-Pop Artist category. With their warm, lovable charm and confident flair, it comes as no surprise that the musical powerhouses clinched the award as they continue to carve out their own path and expand their artistry with each new release. Fans online rejoiced over the group’s win, flooding social media with congratulatory messages and celebrating the landmark moment.

    Iconic performances & moments

    The AMAs would not be complete without the reverberating beats of amazing performances. Select nominees staged amazing shows that got the crowd on their feet as they jammed out to some of the greatest hits on the charts right now.

    Needless to say, BTS delivered a powerful performance that served as a bold statement declaring, “We’re back, and we’re here to stay.” Still riding the high of their comeback era, they channel the passionate fire of ARIRANG, infusing their inner edge and rebellion as they opened the AMAs with 'Hooligan'. The striking track was the perfect way to kick-start the awards ceremony as its carefree nature was bound to spark excitement within the nominees and audiences.

    BTS also took the stage later to present SZA with her AMA for the Best Female R&B Artist. During her speech, she expressed that it was nice to officially meet the powerhouse group formally in person, sharing, "It's crazy that this is the moment, so I had to take this moment to just let this be the moment."

    Later on during the ceremony, the crowd got their 'PINKY UP' as KATSEYE strutted onto the stage, performing their latest hit single with its booming techno rhythm that created an exhilarating sonic atmosphere within the arena. The quintet blew audiences away with their energetic choreography, making their performance one of the most memorable moments of the awards.

    These victories mark a huge shift in the industry as Asian artists are increasingly being recognised on global stages, proving that their music, artistry, and cultural impact continue to resonate far beyond borders. From electrifying performances to landmark wins, this year’s American Music Awards reflected a growing era of inclusivity and international representation within mainstream entertainment.

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