“Is this an attendance award?” — Internet divided over Stray Kids’ ‘K-Pop Artist’ win at 2024 BBMAs over BTS’ Jungkook’s chart-topping performance 

At the 2024 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), BTS' Jungkook was unexpectedly snubbed for the "Top Global K-Pop Artist" award, despite his record-breaking solo career. Fans argued he deserved the win. The award went to Stray Kids, known for their top-charting albums like ATE, ODDINARY, and 5-STAR. However, Jungkook won "Top Global K-Pop Song" and "Top K-Pop Album" for GOLDEN, similar to his 2023 wins.

Between 2023 and 2024, Jungkook became a global pop icon with several achievements. His single SEVEN (feat. Latto) topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and led the Billboard Global 200 and Global 200 (Excl. US) charts. His follow-up tracks, 3D and Standing Next to You, also topped global charts.

All three songs are from his debut solo album GOLDEN, which topped the Billboard 200 in November 2023. Jungkook also became the first K-pop soloist to exceed 6 billion Spotify streams across all credits, adding to his 2023 BBMAs win for "Top Global K-Pop Song" with SEVEN.

As debates over the 2024 BBMAs results continued, it is important to note that both BTS' Jungkook and Stray Kids have undoubtedly made significant contributions to K-pop’s global impact, and have earned their respective successes.

The BTS fandom, ARMY, were displeased to see the results of the 2024 Billboard Music Awards as they argued that Jungkook should have won the "Top Global K-Pop Artist" award based on his stream counts, chart-topping records, and CD and album sales. One fan referenced the BTS idol's absence due to his ongoing military enlistment and called out BBMAs, saying:

"Jungkook is robbed. Is this an attendance award?"

The controversy stemmed from perceptions that the BBMAs undervalued Jungkook's massive global impact allegedly in favor of a group with a strong collective presence. Social media platforms lit up with fans of both artists expressing their opinions.

"So fraudulent sales with 500 versions of an album can makes you "Top Global" artist??!??? back in my day bbmas was not such a joke," one fan remarked.

"Winning on artist category but losing on both global top kpop song and global top kpop album that's when you know the win is rigged," another fan stated.

"I seriously thought this award was based on charts and not attendance cuz this right here is an evident snub." one other fan wrote.

While Stray Kids’ supporters cheered for their favorite group becoming the first K-pop band to win the "Top Global K-Pop Artist" award in the BBMAs history.

"I KNEW THEY WILL DO IT. STRAY KIDS EVERYWHERE ALL AROUND THE WORLD," one fan said.

"They had the best bbma performance of the night and won top global k-pop artist making them the first male act to win it oh MY STRAY KIDS, I’M SO PROUD OF YOU," another fan wrote.

"Congrats my skz what an amazing way to end ATE era and the year i’m so incredibly proud," one other fan cheered.

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BTS' Jungkook and Stray kids carrying K-pop's legacy with massive wins at the 2024 BBMAs

K-pop’s journey at the Billboard Music Awards has been groundbreaking since BTS became the first K-pop act to win in 2017 with the "Top Social Artist" award. BTS has since dominated various BBMAs categories with 12 major wins, with Jungkook carrying that legacy into his solo career with three wins so far.

Stray Kids, known for their experimental sound and strong fanbase, also had a successful year, releasing the chart-topping album Rock-STAR and performing at global events. Their wins at the BBMAs included not only "Top Global K-Pop Artist" but also recognition for their innovative performances.

BBMAs winners are decided by performance metrics such as album and digital song sales (CDs), streaming numbers, touring sales, radio airplay, and social engagement. These data points are tracked by Billboard and its partner, Luminate. Despite this, the methodology for certain categories, including "Top Global K-Pop Artist," remains opaque, fueling speculation about the decision-making process.

The first Billboard Music Awards were held in 1990, celebrating the most commercially successful artists of the year. Over the decades, the ceremony has grown to include a wide range of categories, including the K-pop categories, which was created due to BTS in 2017.

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In other news, BTS' Jungkook has been serving in the South Korean military and will return to the music industry in June 2025. Meanwhile, Stray Kids are on their dominATE World Tour 2024-2025 with their upcoming concert scheduled for December 21, 2024, in Jakarta.