In 2014, when BTS was a rookie group worried about finding 200 fans to fill a concert venue in Los Angeles, who would have imagined that it would one day become the first K-pop act to fire up the Billboard Music Awards?

In a watershed moment in K-pop history, BTS on Sunday won the Billboard Music Awards’ top social artist award for the second consecutive year. It also performed the world premiere of its new track “Fake Love” during the awards show at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Before taking to the stage, the seven-piece act walked the red carpet in distinct casual fashion, looking more relaxed than last year when the members arrived in black tuxedos.

 

“The thing we are most proud of is our fans. ARMYs made all this possible. We are so ready for our upcoming tour. It still means a lot -- something we can never get used to,” said RM during a short interview on the red carpet, surrounded by screaming fans.

Amid ear-splitting screams from the audience, BTS jumped onto the stage and performed “Fake Love,” a moody hip-hop track off its recently released “Love Yourself: Tear” album.

What captured attention in addition to the act’s impressive performance were excited fans who shrieked, sang along and danced -- a testament to BTS’ global fame and fandom. As the performance drew to a close, more audience members threw their hands up in the air to show their support for the K-pop stars.  

While the event marked BTS’ second time at the BBMA -- the act won the top social artist award at last year’s event -- it was the first time for BTS, or any K-pop act, to debut a new track at one of America’s biggest award shows. 

Ahead of its performance, BTS was presented the top social artist award for the second consecutive year, overtaking superstars like Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and Shawn Mendes.

“Thank you so much to Billboard Music Awards for this precious award two years in a row. This time we had a chance to think about what ‘social’ really means for us and some of our fans told us that our music really changed their lives,” RM said in a speech, appearing overwhelmed.

“And now, we realize that our words truly carry weight thanks to you guys. And ARMYs out there, you guys, your words keep us going and keep us striving!” he added. 

BTS’ highly anticipated “Love Yourself: Tear,” the second part of its “Love Yourself” series, is the group’s third full-length album. It follows the group’s previous “Love Yourself: Her” album, which reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200.

On iTunes’ top album charts, “Love Yourself: Tear” has claimed the top spot in 65 countries, including the US, Australia and Brazil, while “Fake Love” topped the iTunes’ top songs chart in 52 countries, including Finland, Chile and Denmark. The single is dominating local streaming sites as well.

Formed in 2013 by K-pop label Big Hit Entertainment, the band consisting of RM, Jimin, Suga, J-Hope, Jin, V and Jungkook built a name for itself unhurriedly with hip-hop bent albums like “2 Cool 4 Skool,” “O!RUL8,2?” and “Skool Love Affair.” 

The band’s international fame started to skyrocket in 2016, when its second full-length album “Wings” broke records as the highest debut of a K-pop album in the US. Just one year later, the band earned its first US Billboard Hot 100 entry with the smash hit “DNA” at No. 85. The song later became the highest-charting K-pop group song, peaking at No. 67.

Buoyed by its massive global success, the group last year collaborated with electronic dance music stars like The Chainsmokers and Steve Aoki, made history on the charts and was featured on major US TV shows. BTS also performed “DNA” at the American Music Awards in November last year, marking its first US awards show performance.

BTS will start its major US promotional activities this weekend and make its second appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” on Friday. In August, the act will embark on its “Love Yourself” world tour, which kicks off in Seoul on Aug. 25 and continues in 10 cities across six countries: Los Angeles, Auckland, Fort Worth, Newark, Chicago, London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam and Hamilton.

The group will also hold a showcase in Korea on May 24 on Mnet at 8:30 p.m.

(lotus@heraldcorp.com)