Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) 2023, Kpop 4th generation leaders and representatives, Stray Kids and NewJeans, will dominate the grand stage with as two of its most electrifying performers. Explore the controversy and Kpop’s impact on the BBMAs 2023 in this detailed report.
Kpop Idols Dominate the Grand Stage of Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) 2023 with Stray Kids and NewJeans in Lineup Performers
The 2023 Billboard Music Awards have become a highly-anticipated and treasured experience, especially for Kpop enthusiasts. This year, the spotlight shines bright on two sensational acts: Stray Kids and NewJeans.
On November 14 local time, the BBMAs officially announced that Kpop’s 4th generation leaders, Stray Kids, would become of its captivating performers. On the grand stage of the 2023 BBMAs, Stray Kids will reportedly perform two of its latest record-breaking hit songs, “S-Class” and “LALALALA”.
STAY! @Stray_Kids will perform "S-Class" and "LALALALA" at this year's Billboard Music Awards 🎤🎶
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) November 14, 2023
Tune in for this special moment SUNDAY at 5pm PST on #BBMAs socials, @billboard and https://t.co/VIuDbj2egW 🫂 pic.twitter.com/SymSc7plu1
Along with Stray Kids, the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) previously announced that Kpop’s 4th generation monster rookie NewJeans would also deliver an anticipated performance on the grand stage.
Unfortunately, the Kpop 4th gen icon has yet to announce the songs they would perform on the grand stage.
Bunnies, it's almost time! Catch @NewJeans_ADOR performance this SUNDAY at 5pm PST on #BBMAs socials, @billboard or https://t.co/VIuDbj2M6u 🤍 pic.twitter.com/KbXkldGxnd
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) November 14, 2023
Changes and Controversy
This year marks the groundbreaking changes for the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) with new categories and formats.
For the very first time, the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) will celebrate its 2023 awards ceremony at multiple locations worldwide. Instead of one standard venue in the United States, BBMAs showcases its global influence in the international music industry by hosting performances in different places. And they will also broadcast these performances online instead of the US national TV.
This innovative approach celebrates the international nature of music and allows artists from different regions to participate more actively, showcasing their talent on a global platform.
Still, the recent changes in the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) format also resulted in more controversy.
Previously, the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) added 4 new categories to the nominations. The new categories: Top Global K-Pop Artist, Top K-Pop Album, Top Global KPop Song, and Top K-Pop Touring Artist gave significant honor and appreciation to the Kpop sensations dominating the world’s music industry.
Along with the Kpop categories, Billboard also added 2 new categories for ‘Afrobeats’.
Still, Kpop fans believe that establishing a new Kpop category in the nominations simply brings a negative impact.
A Reverse Discrimination
Korean media reported that establishing the new Kpop categories is somewhat Billboard’s attempt to reverse discrimination against Kpop artists.
By creating new Kpop categories, Billboard has allegedly alienated Kpop idols, preventing them from winning the standard—or what they called ‘mainstream’—categories. After all, the musical difference between Kpop and ‘mainstream pop’ genres has long been ambiguous. And so, the new 2023 categories only prevent Kpop idols from reaching the grand Billboard Music Awards nominations.
Moreover, Billboard claimed that the establishment of the new Kpop categories was because they are new genres influenced by standard pop music. Besides, similar to Latin pop, Kpop and Afrobeats have become new trends based on specific regions.
Yet, Kpop fans pointed out Billboard’s apparent discrimination towards Kpop in the recent nominations. And it happened especially against the song “Seven” by Jungkook of BTS.
Jungkook’s “Seven” has dominated the global music industry since its first release. It has achieved international success, including #1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in 113 countries, #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and entering the charts for 13 consecutive weeks.
However, despite the global achievement, BBMAs 2023 added the song only in its Kpop category instead of the ‘mainstream pop.’ That is even more appalling, knowing that “Seven” was an all-English hit track.
This is not the first time Billboard has been accused of discriminating against the global influence of Kpop in the international music industry.
Previously, the BBMAs have also been suppressing the Kpop domination by excluding the number of duplicate music downloads and the number of album/original downloads from BTS’s official website from its chart counting method. Fans believe it was an effort to suppress the influence of Kpop fandom.
Stream Stray Kids and NewJeans Performance at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) Online!
Finally, you can join Stray Kids and NewJeans dominating the stage at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) by streaming online.
Stray Kids and NewJeans will perform at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) on November 20 at 10 AM KST. You can watch the performance live via Billboard’s official website and YouTube channel.
So, what do you think about Billboard’s alleged attempt to suppress Kpop’s influence? And how excited are you to welcome Stray Kids and NewJeans as BBMAs’ most anticipate performers? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
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