It is no secret that a fresh Hallyu wave is on the rise in different parts of the world and Kpop artists are getting more global recognition, thanks to two Kpop groups that have paved the way for the rest - BLACKPINK and BTS.
It can be recalled that it was in 2017 when BTS drew attention for their music on a global scale when they were nominated at the Billboard Music Award for the first time and dominated the Top Social Artist category with the help of their BTS Army fandom. They easily picked up the win against popular international artists Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Shawn Mendez which was an unprecedented moment for Kpop. Their winning streak has continued with collaborations with international acts as well as fresh new hits from their albums.
BLACKPINK is also proving their strength overseas and started their ascent on the international scene last year with the release of their EP Kill This Love. Like BTS, Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rose has dominated the charts for Kill This Love, both in and outside of Korea with massive views of their MVs reaching record numbers on the youtube platform. Their collaboration with Dua Lipa, Kiss and Make Up also earned a new milestone as the most streamed track by a Korean act in Spotify history.
For the past six months, BLACKPINK has also dominated the brand reputation surveys for girl groups conducted by the Korean Business Research Institute. Jennie also topped the list of brand reputation rankings for individual members of girl groups while Jisoo, Rose and Lisa also made it to the list.
For the joint brand value rankings of idol groups, BTS led the pack for June with BLACKPINK trailing in second and TWICE rounding up the top 3 spots. For the boy group rankings, the Korean Business Research Institute reported a consistent top spot ranking for RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook, BT reported.
It comes as no surprise that BTS and BLACKPINK have also picked up nominations for the Teen Choice Awards 2019 and are even competing for the Choice International Artist award. This is an interesting rivalry because, for the past two years, BTS has bagged the award along with their ARMY as the choice fandom.
Last year, BLACKPINK and their BLINKs were also strong contenders for the category and this showdown will be the second faceoff between two strong Kpop idol groups.
However, it remains to be seen who will continue to sustain the Hallyu wave on an international scale with BLACKPINK's agency YG Entertainment facing several controversies. Meanwhile, BTS members would need to slow down on their international activities next year with the impending enlistment of its eldest members, Jin and Suga.
