BTS named best K-pop group of 2018 in a poll taken by fans around the world

Published: 
Listen to this article

A total of 18,000 people voted for the South Korean band in a poll hosted by online ticketing marketplace Stubhub

Karly Cox |
Published: 
Comment

Latest Articles

Improving concentration and relaxation is a walk in the park – with a dog

Climate change, urbanisation lead to early flowering of cherry blossom trees

Tatler to give fans 50% ticket refund for Messi’s Hong Kong no-show by May

An intense smell from a rare corpse flower attracts visitors in San Francisco

Hong Kong grocery chain DCH goes out of business after 39 years

Hong Kong logs coldest start to March since 2016

BTS are so big, they were asked to speak at the United Nations in September.

They may be in a bit of bother following two band members poor fashion choices, but K-pop superstars BTS have come top in a poll asking fans to vote for their favourite Korean music group.

A total of 18,000 people voted in the international poll, which was launched on October 1 in 13 countries in eight different languages, and closed on October 31. The poll was run by StubHub, the world’s top ticketing marketplace, which is owned by eBay.

So why is K-pop so popular? Some fans share their thoughts

Fifteen nominees were included in the poll. BTS took 31 per cent of the vote, with EXO in second place with 19 per cent, and Super Junior just behind with 18 per cent. Other groups in the running included Wanna One, Blackpink, and Bigbang.

BTS were in Japan last week and made headlines when band member Jimin wore a T-shirt with a photo of Koreans celebrating their liberation from Japanese rule after the second world war, and a photo of an atomic bomb exploding. Two cities in Japan were destroyed by nuclear weapons in 1945. News later broke that another member of the band had, in a magazine photo, worn a hat featuring a symbol that looked like a Nazi swastika. A Japanese broadcaster cancelled an appearance by the band, but BTS’ concerts in the city were going ahead.

For those few of you who don’t know and are too afraid to ask: K-pop 101. You’re welcome

BTS’ agency, Big Hit Entertainment, issued a statement on Wednesday apologising. “We would like to again offer our sincerest apologies to anyone who has suffered pain, distress and discomfort due to our shortcomings,” they said.

Their popularity in the city will soon be tested - tickets for the Hong Kong leg of their Love Yourself tour, in late March, are due to go on sale any time soon.

In the meantime, here’s a live version of their massive recent hit, Idol.

Sign up for the YP Teachers Newsletter
Get updates for teachers sent directly to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Comment