BTS make history at 2019 Billboard Music Awards

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K-pop's biggest stars have topped Billboard’s charts and are now taking home Billboard awards. BTS was named Top Duo/Group for the first time and was given the Top Social Artist award for the third year in a row on Thursday at the Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs).

The annual BBMAs began on Wednesday local time at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Local cable channel Mnet began a live broadcast of the event at 9 a.m. Korean time.

Thursday's double win came after the success of the group’s 2018 EPs "Love Yourself: Tear" and "Love Yourself: Answer" that topped not only local music charts but charts abroad as well, including Billboard.

In the Top Duo/Group category, BTS was nominated alongside big-name acts such as Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, Panic! At The Disco and Dan + Shay.

"This means so much for us," RM said. "We'll do our best today. That's all we can do."

The group is set to perform their latest hit "Boy With Luv” with U.S. pop star Halsey for the first time at the awards show.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]