Lisa wins Best K-pop at 2025 VMAs, beating BTS’s Jimin and BLACKPINK bandmates Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo; X erupts with outrage

BLACKPINK’s Lisa made history at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, currently underway at the UBS Arena in New York, by snagging the Best K-pop award for her single Born Again feat. Doja Cat and RAYE. This win wasn’t just another trophy: it marked her as the very first K-pop soloist to ever take home this honour.

Lisa edged out BTS’s Jimin, whose track WHO was a serious contender in the same category, and her bandmates Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé. While Lisa’s fans are out here celebrating, the internet isn’t totally convinced, sparking a debate over what really counts as K-pop in 2025.

Lisa beats out heavyweights including BTS, bandmates, Stray Kids, and Aespa

Lisa’s Born Again, featuring Doja Cat and RAYE, from her debut album Alter Ego, faced stiff competition in this year’s Best K-pop category. Alongside BTS’s Jimin and Lisa herself, the nominees included BLACKPINK’s Jisoo with her hit Earthquake, Jennie’s chart-topper Like Jennie, Rosé’s Toxic Till the End, Stray Kids with their high-energy track Chk Chk Boom, and Aespa’s Whiplash, celebrated for its futuristic sound and visuals.

Despite the fierce competition, Lisa won the top honour, becoming the first K-pop solo artist to ever take home the Best K-pop trophy at the VMAs, highlighting her growing influence as an individual performer outside of her group.

Lisa's Born Again feat. Doja Cat and RAYE wins Best K-pop at 2025 VMAs | Credit: X/@Lloud

Lisa’s heartfelt acceptance: gratitude for collaborators and fans

Though Lisa was unable to attend the ceremony in person, she shared a pre-recorded acceptance speech that resonated with fans worldwide. “I’m so honoured to be receiving this award,” she said. “Thank you to MTV and the VMAs for all the love and support. A huge thanks to Doja Cat and Raye for making ‘Born Again’ such a special song. And to the RCA family and Team Lloud, thank you for helping me get to where I am today.”

Fans question whether ‘Born Again’ qualifies as K-pop

Despite the excitement around Lisa’s historic win, many fans voiced scepticism about whether Born Again fits the traditional K-pop mould. The song’s full English lyrics and collaborations with American artists Doja Cat and RAYE led some to argue that the track leans more toward Western pop than K-pop.

Internet alleges Born Again doesn't qualify as K-pop | Credit: X/@lalaisafan

One user wrote, "Nothing about this song felt like K-pop," while another commented, "It’s not really K-pop, we’re just calling it that because Lisa is a K-pop artist." Meanwhile, some fans argued that Jennie should have taken the win for her viral hit Like Jennie, while others insisted that Jimin’s WHO was the standout track that dominated conversations all year.

nobody knows this song https://t.co/rSDbk8Am1L pic.twitter.com/dsYHBdxmzB

is the kpop in the room with us? https://t.co/B6Fd3dxg6f

oh lisa your zionist boyfriend again? https://t.co/g8EUdGcvlf pic.twitter.com/j3gw7ONgfI

Giving the "Best K-Pop" award to three non-Korean artists for an English-language song is a scam. https://t.co/KwjL6LvggG

BTS snub fuels fan disappointment at the 2025 VMAs

Jimin’s loss in the Best K-pop category at the 2025 VMAs added fuel to an ongoing fire among BTS fans. As Lisa took home the award for Born Again, many fans were disappointed, feeling Jimin’s track WHO deserved more recognition. But the frustration goes beyond this single category, as several other BTS members, like Jin and J-Hope, were completely left out of the nominations despite having successful solo releases this year.

Fans believe Jimin's WHO was snubbed | Credit: BigHit Music

Jin’s debut album Happy songs, which performed well on global charts, and J-Hope’s popular tracks such as Sweet Dreams and Mona Lisa were notably absent from the list, leading fans to accuse the VMAs of unfairly overlooking BTS’s individual members. This perceived snub has sparked widespread disappointment and calls for more transparency in the nomination process.

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