Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

Underestimate the power of BTS and the BTS ARMY at your own risk. The K-Pop supergroup doesn't even have to do anything for its fame to eclipse every aspect of pop culture.

Consider that BTS effectively won the 2023 MTV VMAs without even stepping foot on the red carpet — no one can compare.

BTS has been inactive as a group since member J-Hope joined the South Korean army in April 2023 as part of his mandatory military service. However, the solo members have been actively producing their own music and keeping fans busy with off-duty outfits and stylish surprise appearances.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

So, no, BTS didn't actually show up at the 2023 VMAs — in fact, the group rarely, if ever, attend the VMAs, preferring to instead accept their awards virtually by sending pre-taped acceptance speeches.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this YouTube video.

But the BTS impact is clearly felt throughout the VMAs, as it so often is when it comes to music-related award shows in general.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

BTS fans won't let anyone forget that fact, either: they spent the entire 2023 VMAs tweeting out a reminder that BTS set the stage for the American K-Pop revolution that followed their explosive world takeover.

BTS dominated Twitter's trending section as a result, a constant reminder of the BTS fanbase's undeniable muscle.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this YouTube video.

Singer Jungkook, for instance, both starred in a world-shattering Calvin Klein campaign and released "Seven," a Latto-featuring single that won 2023 VMAs Song of the Summer prize.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Jungkook was rumored to attend the 2023 VMAs and was reportedly seen flying into New York ahead of the event but the reclusive musician was nowhere to be found.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Instead, Jungkook was at the gym, where a photographer snapped a pic of his shirtless back and sent fans swooning.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

BTS "leader" RM, meanwhile, was celebrating a birthday.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

He had only just turned 29 on September 11! No time for the VMAs.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Anyways, beyond the fact that there's a dedicated award for K-Pop, the appearance of K-Pop peers like Stray Kids and TXT is thanks in at least some part to the trail blazed by BTS.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

BTS has also scored a record number of VMA wins —the group smashed the record for sequential "Group of the Year" wins, winning four in a row from 2018 to 2022.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Note that BTS doesn't hold a record number of overall wins, though: Madonna holds 20 prizes overall, followed by Beyoncé with 16 and Taylor Swift, who picked up her 15th trophy at the 2023 VMAs.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.
Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Still, you can't deny the world-conquering force that is BTS. Luxury labels bow down to them — really, companies of all stripes come to BTS begging to kiss the ring.

Surely the VMAs would be no less thrilled to have any of the boys in attendance.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Twitter post.

Not this year, though. BTS won 2023's event without even showing up.

We Recommend
  • Nike's Reborn Soccer Sneaker Is Even Better as an Incredibly Clean Skate Shoe
    • Sneakers
  • Even the Jordan 4 Gets a Crisp New Pair of Denim Jeans
    • Sneakers
  • The Levi's "Renaissance" Is Even Bigger Than Beyoncé
    • Style
  • Even the 2024 Olympics Photographers Are Dripped Out
    • Style
  • Where's the Love for Anya Taylor-Joy's Peerless Red Carpet Fashion?
    • Style
What To Read Next
  • As Piet Proves, Oakley Is Much More Than Glasses & Shoes
    • Style
  • Brilliant Japanese Retailer BEAMS Finally Sets up Shop in America
    • Style
  • Moncler & Burberry, Two Titans of Outerwear, Could Come Together. Should They?
    • Style
  • BAPE Made an Extremely Unlikely adidas Sneaker Ridiculously Fly
    • Sneakers
  • Nike's Techy Shox Sneaker Gets Shockingly Better in All-Leather
    • Sneakers
  • Nike's Stealthiest Air Force 1 Is Also Its Cleanest Version Yet
    • Sneakers