25-04-2025
K-pop fans mobilize to support their favorite artists at the American Music Awards: Here's how the race breaks down
K-pop fans are out in force to support their favorite nominees at the 2025 American Music Awards.
Ateez, Jimin, RM, Rosé, and Stray Kids all received nominations this week in the Best K-Pop Artist category, and now it's up to the public to decide who wins. Fans of the popular South Korean music genre have been mobilizing online to support their favorite artists, which is key because voting is open right now in all categories at and the @AMAs Instagram profile.
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This year's contest is significant because two members of the same group are nominated against each other: RM and Jimin. They are both members of BTS and, rather impressively, released all of their music while serving in the South Korean military. RM is also the first K-pop rapper to be nominated in the category, which is a major milestone for the American-based music organization.
As for the others, Ateez had a successful year with a big American tour, as did Stray Kids. And Rosé is from Blackpink and had a popular song with Bruno Mars, "Apt.," which is likely what put her over the edge for a nomination.
This is only the second year that K-pop is specifically being honored at the AMAs. The Best K-pop Artist category was initially created in 2022 (where BTS won against fellow nominees Blackpink, Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together, and Twice), but the American Music Awards took a break in 2023 and 2024 and didn't announce nominees or winners. To date, BTS is the only K-pop act that's made it into the general field categories at the American Music Awards and the Grammy Awards. They've also won every AMA category they've ever been nominated for, demonstrating enormous support.
Gold Derby is running our own poll for this specific category, in order to get a sense of which artist has the biggest online fandom. Is it Ateez, Jimin, RM, Rosé, or Stray Kids? Vote for who YOU want to win Best K-Pop Artist at the AMAs right here:
The Las Vegas-based kudos will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Memorial Day, May 26, with Jennifer Lopez returning to host after a 10-year break.
Stray Kids performed at the AMAs anniversary special last fall, where they did a tribute performance of 'NSync's "Bye Bye Bye" combined with their song "Chk Chk Boom." Below, check out Gold Derby's videos of the stage and from inside the photo room:
Note: The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Gold Derby parent company Penske Media.
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