K-pop fans, rejoice! South Korean boy band BTS and singer-songwriter IU are on a roll as they were among the winners at this year's Persons of the Year Awards.
On Tuesday, Dec. 11, the Journalists Federation of Korea announced the 12 winners at this year's Persons of the Year Awards and BTS and IU were the only two celebrities who made it to the list.
BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, has been named the winner in the music category for spreading the Korean culture across the globe with their work, while IU (whose real name is Lee Ji Eun) has been given the Donation Angel award, according to All Kpop.
BTS, which consists of seven members RM (Rap Monster), Jungkook, V, Jimin, Suga, J-Hope and Jin, was the first K-pop group to perform at the American Music Awards and to win an award at the Billboard Music Awards. They have also been named the "Next Generation Leaders" by Time Magazine.
Just recently, their third Korean studio album, dubbed "Love Yourself: Tear," has been nominated for the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Recording Package - making them the first K-pop act to receive such distinction, according to Entertainment Tonight.
IU, on the other hand, has been an ambassador for South Korea's National Police Agency in their anti-bullying campaigns in schools since 2012. She is also known for making donations to several organizations, including the Green Umbrella Children's Fund.
Moreover, she is offering a scholarship to students from underdeveloped families at her high school alma-mater and even provided ₩20,000,000 (about $18,000) in financial aid to some college students. She also promoted Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) awareness by participating in the popular Ice Bucket Challenge.
BTS and IU joined other Persons of the Year Awards' winners such as chief executive officer (CEO) Kim Ki Byung of Lotte Tour, South Chungcheong Province's Governor Yang Seung Jo, Yeom Jae Ho of Korea University, CEO Park Sang Jong of Korea National Council of Social Welfare, CEO Oh Jang Kyo of Atto Research, Kim Ock Hee of Cham Hospital, Kim Sung Soo of Ottchil Art Museum, Kim Joon Sung of Yeonggwang County, Soccer Coach Park Hang Seo and Ahn Jae Geun of Public Administration and Security Committee.
This year's Persons of the Year Awards is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at the Convention Hall of Kookmin Ilbo Building in Seoul, South Korea.
