BLACKPINK Lisa’s “Best K-Pop” Win At The 2025 VMAs Triggers Massive Backlash

The MTV Video Music Awards wrapped up last night on September 7, but the results are still sparking heated debate online.

While K-Pop had a strong presence at the show, one particular award has become the center of strong reactions.

| @MTV/X (formerly known as Twitter)

BLACKPINK‘s Lisa took home one of the most controversial awards of the night —  “Best K-Pop” — for her collaboration with Doja Cat and Raye on “Born Again.” The recognition immediately stirred backlash, with fans questioning how the track fits the category at all.

The song is performed entirely in English, and none of the featured artists are Korean, leading many to argue that the win stretched the definition of K-Pop too far.

Giving a ‘K-POP’ award to 3 non-Koreans artists for an English song is actually insane https://t.co/KEovd4CsKw

— 🍓⁷ (@7BerryGloss) September 7, 2025

The concept of a a full English song sung by not a single Korean wining best kpop https://t.co/3rfzfqFtJK pic.twitter.com/CCA3xbzrMX

— kyla⊹ᡣ𐭩₊⋆ (@cuntygi) September 7, 2025

The controversy quickly spread across social media, with countless posts criticizing the award show’s decision.

the concept of doja cat and raye receiving a vma award for best kpop https://t.co/XyWvWOK1xb pic.twitter.com/mNWF3BrZoQ

— annie (@gaviologist) September 7, 2025

Others mocked the situation, joking that if the trend continued, the award could eventually go to non-musicians or people entirely unrelated to the industry.

2026 #VMAs Best K-Pop Winner: Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/5ScrC0tl0H

— rim ✦ (@bratzlibra) September 8, 2025

#vmas best k-pop winner : One Direction pic.twitter.com/7f9B0RbE4w

— Naza⁷🧋 (@bangtanniesgguk) September 8, 2025

#VMAs    Best K-Pop Winner: AVENTURA pic.twitter.com/MLeWqJihZU

— jotkei (@vntenjk) September 8, 2025

Despite the backlash, the win was still a historic moment for Lisa. With this trophy, she now ties BTS as the artist with the most wins in the Best K-Pop category at the VMAs, each holding three.

#LISA ties #BTS for most ‘Best K-Pop’ wins in #VMAs history (3 each). pic.twitter.com/ijJNCrxnkD

— chart data (@chartdata) September 7, 2025

However, the heated debate has overshadowed the achievement, leaving fans divided.

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