RM, the charismatic leader of global K-pop powerhouse BTS, snagged the trophy for Favourite K-pop Artist at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) this Monday (local time) in Las Vegas. What made it extra interesting? He beat out not only fierce competition from BLACKPINK¡¯s Ros¨¦ but also his own bandmate, Jimin.
RM has been turning heads lately with his second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person, which recently celebrated its first anniversary. Critics and fans alike have praised it for its thoughtful lyrics and a more mature, introspective vibe. This win just cements RM¡¯s place as a major player not just in K-pop, but on the worldwide music stage.
RM, whose real name is Kim Namjoon, continues to wow fans worldwide with his musical genius even while serving in the military. His second studio album, RPWP, was released last year with little to no promotion, as he'd been enlisted in the military since December 2023.
Now, with his recent win at the AMAs, where fan votes speak louder than bombs, he¡¯s become a global force impossible to ignore. Since the Favourite K-pop Artist category launched in 2022, it¡¯s quickly turned into the ultimate spotlight for Korean artists making serious waves in the U.S. market. And RM is owning that spotlight like a seasoned headliner, proving he¡¯s not only BTS¡¯s leader but a cultural K-pop icon carving his own lane.
Alongside RM, other nominees in the category this year included boy group ATEEZ, BTS¡¯s Jimin, BLACKPINK¡¯s Ros¨¦, and boy group Stray Kids, showcasing the intense competition among top-tier K-pop acts.
Meanwhile,? Ros¨¦ was nominated for Collaboration of the Year for her hit song APT. with Bruno Mars, a track that has amassed billions of views and streams globally. Despite this massive success, the award went to Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga for their collaboration Die With A Smile, which also won Favourite Music Video.
This year¡¯s AMAs marked a major return after a three-year hiatus, with Billie Eilish dominating the night by sweeping seven awards, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year.
Meanwhile, after nearly three years apart due to mandatory military service, BTS is set to reunite on June 21, 2025. This marks the culmination of their hiatus, which began in June 2022. The group's return has been eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide, known as ARMY. All seven members¡ªRM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook¡ªare scheduled to complete their service by this date, with Suga concluding his alternative service on June 21.
As BTS reunites, reports are rife that they will release in the second half of 2025, which is to be followed by a world tour next year. As predicted by K-media, the group's return is expected to dominate global music charts and streaming platforms, reaffirming their position as a leading force in the music industry .
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