BTS’s RM Makes K-Pop History While Away On Military Service

BTS‘s RM might still be serving in the military, but his global impact is still sustaining. The latest instance of this phenomenon was his milestone achievement at a major American award show.

BTS RM | Weverse

On May 27, the BTS leader won the American Music Award (AMA) for Favorite K-Pop Artist.

| theamas.com

The milestone win came with his second solo album, Right Place Wrong Person, completing one year since its release. The standout record has won much critical acclaim in the past year.

Album cover of “Right Place, Wrong Person” | Spotify

The AMA, which is considered one of the “big three” of American award shows, added the “Favorite K-Pop Artist” category in 2022. That very year, the award was bagged by BTS.

All Favorite K-Pop Artist winners at #AMAs:

2022: BTS
2025: RM pic.twitter.com/PNrubWStAh

— chart data (@chartdata) May 27, 2025

With his 2025 win, RM has made history as the only Korean artist to win an AMA both as a part of a group and on his own. He has also joined the very brief list of Korean artists to win an AMA, following BTS and PSY.

📊| #RM now joins #BTS and PSY as the ONLY Kpop Acts in HISTORY to win an award at the American Music Awards! 🇺🇸

CONGRATULATIONS RM pic.twitter.com/BXL6WvrKoS

— BTS Charts Daily (@btschartsdailyc) May 27, 2025

The Favorite K-Pop Artist Category this year saw some tough competition, with other bigwigs such as BLACKPINK‘s Rosé, BTS’s Jimin, ATEEZ, and Stray Kids being nominated for the award. While all these artists have had an incredible run with their latest releases, RM’s win solidified his position as a standout figure in global music.

This major win has sweetened fans’ brief wait for RM to return from the military, which is scheduled for June 10, KST.

BTS