BLACKPINK’s Lisa has won the Best K-Pop award at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards for her song “Born Again,” a collaboration with Doja Cat and Raye. The award ceremony, held at the UBS Arena in New York on September 7, saw Lisa’s song beating out strong contenders from other K-pop artists, including BTS’ Jimin, Stray Kids, aespa, Rosé, Jisoo, and Jennie.
The win marks Lisa’s third Best K-Pop award in four years, tying her with BTS for the most wins in the category since its introduction in 2019. However, the decision has sparked controversy online, with some viewers questioning how a song with no Korean lyrics and only one K-pop idol involved qualified for the category.
Critics argue that the VMAs are blurring genre boundaries and undermining Korean artists who release music in their native language. Others suggest that the song would have been more suited to the Best Pop or Best Collaboration categories. Despite the criticism, Lisa’s achievement cements her status as one of the most consistent performers in the K-pop category.
The 2025 MTV VMAs also saw other notable wins, including BLACKPINK as Group of the Year and Rosé and Bruno Mars making history with their song “APT.,” which won Song of the Year. This marked Rosé as the first K-pop artist to achieve the honor.
The debate surrounding the Best K-Pop award highlights the challenges of defining and representing the genre on an international stage. As K-pop continues to gain global recognition, award shows must navigate the complexities of cultural exchange and artistic collaboration. For now, the decision to award “Born Again” as Best K-Pop has sparked a conversation about the boundaries and limitations of the genre.
Lisa’s win has also solidified her position as a leading figure in K-pop, with a growing global profile and a string of successful releases. Her solo album “Alter Ego” dropped earlier this year, and she has been balancing her music career with acting, including filming “The White Lotus” while working on her album. As BLACKPINK continues their DEADLINE World tour, the debate surrounding the Best K-Pop award is likely to continue, with fans and critics alike weighing in on the significance of the genre and its representation on the global stage.
