“2025 MTV VMAs” Nominations For “Best K-Pop” Become A Target Of Criticism
The nominees for the “Best K-Pop” category at this year’s VMAs have become the target of criticism.
On August 5, the nominees for “Best K-Pop” were announced, including all the members of BLACKPINK‘s solo songs, BTS‘s Jimin, aespa, and Stray Kids.
#VMA Best K-Pop Nominees
🚀 @aespa_official: "Whiplash"
🚀 @jennierubyjane: "like JENNIE"
🚀 #JIMIN @BTS_twt: "Who"
🚀 #JISOO @officialBLISSOO: "earthquake"
🚀 #LISA @wearelloud ft. @DojaCat & @raye: "Born Again"
🚀 #ROSE @numberonehq: "toxic till the end"
🚀 @Stray_Kids: "Chk…— Video Music Awards (@vmas) August 5, 2025
Some were confused due to a number of the songs from the idols being fully in English, making fans doubt whether they should be counted in the K-Pop category.
The others i dont mind but how the hell rose lisa and Jimin song that is fully english is in this category what the hell vmas and their kpop category can go to hell every year https://t.co/cLwHt5nhwz
— rosie ryu ian’s fan (@rosieposiestory) August 5, 2025
whats korean about born again ???? https://t.co/5q8jxKX7Rn pic.twitter.com/VXElW4hS6m
— dobi (@wetdobi) August 5, 2025
In particular, criticism was aimed towards BLACKPINK‘s Jisoo being included, with some not understanding the nominee due to the lack of “success” compared to the other songs
jisoo being nominated when the song didn’t even chart for 1 day😭 https://t.co/IFj8A894ob
— 𓆙 (@PAYOLASE) August 5, 2025
Jisoo is nominated without having entered the Billboard Hot 100, no Spotify US and with only 1 day on the global Spotify chart, okayy😭 https://t.co/1giqB38u3m
— KFlop Net (@KFlopNet) August 5, 2025
jisoo getting nominated when she barely lasted a day on global spotify and has never made it onto the hot 100 or the us spotify chart.. #noticing https://t.co/WvwA3y6hgB pic.twitter.com/6aKo3hBdGJ
— rim ✦ (@bratzlibra) August 5, 2025
Others were confused about how the nominations were decided, citing other idols that they thought should have been included due to the achievements they have received in the past year.
We are obviously voting for Jimin but it’s kinda weird how Hobi wasn’t nominated at all??? And some other less successful songs were lmao https://t.co/2JhCPJrWIB
— mar𖤐⁷ (@miminology) August 5, 2025
Question: how are some nominees not even in Billboard hot 100 or 200 also global Spotify but nominated I’m sorry but Ateez should have been nominated 🤬🤬🤬 https://t.co/i3XCWj4SB5
— Britt👑 (@BrittneyJ24) August 5, 2025
