Korean boy band BIG BANG has been nominated for the World Wide Act Asia Pacific award of the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA), the group’s agency YG Entertainment announced on Monday.

Established in 1994 by MTV Networks Europe to celebrate the most popular European music, the EMA this year newly created four non-European categories to recognize artists in Asia, Latin America, North America, Middle East and Africa.

For its best Asia and Pacific section, Taiwanese star Jay Chou, Japanese pop dance boy band EXILE and Indonesian singer Agnes Monica have been nominated along with Korea’s five-member group. The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Nov. 6.

After making their local debut in 2006, BIG BANG expanded their appeal to Japan and beyond with the release of their first Japanese single “My Heaven” in 2009.

Meanwhile, four-member girl group 2NE1, formed by YG Entertainment, has been nominated as one of the 10 artists for MTV IGGY’s Best New Band in the World 2011 poll. Organized by MTV IGGY, a multi-platform initiative from MTV networks, the online poll on their website ― www.mtviggy.com ― every year offers its nominated bands an opportunity to gain more recognition around the globe. Bands featured in the past include Das Racist, Far East Movement and Best Coast.

Competing against 2NE1 are: Atif Aslam of Pakistan, Ghostpoet of the U.K., Gyptian of Jamaica, La Vida Boheme of Vezuela, Skrillex of the U.S., Ximena Sarinana of Mexico, Angus & Julia Stone of Australia, Yuna of Malaysia and Zowie of New Zealand. The result of the ongoing poll will be released six weeks later.

Since their debut in 2009, 2NE1 has been enjoying popularity at home and abroad, best known for their hip-hop sound and powerful choreography and stage presence.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)