The upcoming MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), scheduled for Nov. 10, are set to be an exciting night for K-pop fans, with five artists from HYBE receiving nominations across multiple categories. It’s always thrilling to see the global influence of K-pop continue to rise, and HYBE artists are leading the charge. From rookie groups to seasoned soloists, these artists have been making waves internationally with chart-topping hits and record-breaking performances.
First up, let’s talk about the breakout stars of 2024—HYBE sub-label Belift Lab’s rookie girl group, ILLIT. This group, which made its official debut just seven months ago in March, has already received its first nomination for Best Asia Act at the EMAs. What’s even more impressive? ILLIT is the only K-pop act in this category, which says a lot about how quickly they’ve captured attention. Their debut album, SUPER REAL ME, is already making noise, but it’s the title track, “Magnetic,” that truly turned heads. The song didn’t just dominate in Korea; it made history by becoming the first K-pop debut track to land on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart Top 100, staying on the chart for a solid three weeks. That’s not an easy feat for any artist, let alone a group so fresh on the scene. The future looks bright for ILLIT, and all eyes will be on them come awards night.
Now, let’s switch gears to another hot act under HYBE: NewJeans. This girl group, which has been on a fast track to global fame, is no stranger to the EMAs. This year, NewJeans received a nomination for Best K-pop, marking their second consecutive nod in this category. You might remember them from last year’s awards, where they were also shortlisted. NewJeans has had a stellar year, scoring hits with their single “How Sweet” and their Japanese debut single, “Supernatural”. The latter was particularly notable because NewJeans became the fastest non-Japanese artist to perform at the legendary Tokyo Dome, one of Japan’s largest and most prestigious venues. Selling out all tickets in June, they achieved something few artists ever do, let alone so early in their careers. Their rise has been nothing short of meteoric.
Speaking of success, two members of the global phenomenon BTS—Jimin and Jungkook—are also nominated for Best K-pop at this year’s EMAs. It’s rare enough to see BTS members go head-to-head in any category, so this competition is bound to make waves. Jungkook, who won last year’s EMA for Best Song with his single “Seven,” is back again, this time with his latest self-penned track, “Never Let Go.” This track is already dominating, topping the iTunes Top Song Charts in a staggering 102 countries within just three days of its release this past June. That’s a level of worldwide impact that most artists can only dream of.
Not to be outdone, Jimin is also having a banner year. His second solo album, MUSE, featuring the title track “Who,” has been steadily climbing the charts. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, where it has impressively stayed for 11 consecutive weeks, recently rising to number 26. For Jimin fans, this steady success is no surprise, but it’s clear that the global appeal of his music is only getting stronger. With both Jimin and Jungkook competing in the same category, fans are already buzzing about who will come out on top.
Let’s not forget about another powerhouse group in the HYBE family, Le Sserafim. This girl group is making waves at the EMAs with three nominations—Best New, Best Push, and of course, Best K-pop. That’s a significant achievement for a group that’s still relatively new to the scene. Their latest album, Crazy, and its title track of the same name, have been climbing the charts, recently landing at number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100. But that’s not all. Le Sserafim took home the PUSH Performance of the Year award at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) last month, where they also performed during the Pre-Show. This group has been on a steady rise, and their presence at this year’s EMAs only solidifies their status as one of the top K-pop acts to watch.
In addition to the HYBE roster, we can’t talk about K-pop at the EMAs without mentioning BLACKPINK’s Lisa. Lisa has had an absolutely phenomenal year, and her hard work is paying off with four EMA nominations. She’s in the running for Best Collaboration and Best Video for her latest hit “NEW WOMAN,” a collaboration with Spanish singer Rosalía. This track has been a fan favorite since its release, blending Lisa’s signature style with Rosalía’s unique sound. On top of these two nominations, Lisa is also up for Best K-pop and the highly coveted Biggest Fans category. In the Biggest Fans category, she’s up against music legends like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Billie Eilish—some serious competition! But considering the passionate global fanbase Lisa commands, she’s got a strong chance.
Lisa’s success doesn’t stop there. Last month, she took home her second Best K-pop trophy at the MTV VMAs for her solo track “ROCKSTAR”, which also made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 70. The song didn’t just peak on the Hot 100—it also topped the Billboard Global chart, showing that Lisa’s reach is far beyond K-pop; she’s truly an international superstar.
With the EMAs just around the corner, K-pop fans have plenty to be excited about. Whether it’s the rookies like ILLIT making a splash, or veterans like BTS’s Jimin and Jungkook continuing to dominate, it’s clear that K-pop’s global influence is only growing stronger. Add in powerhouse acts like NewJeans, Le Sserafim, and Lisa, and this year’s MTV EMAs are shaping up to be a must-watch event. Fans worldwide are eagerly waiting to see who will take home the trophies, but one thing’s for sure—K-pop is here to stay, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
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