The MTV VMAs 2025 are once again under fire, and this time it’s for their “Best K-Pop” category. Fans were left outraged after the award went to Born Again, a collaboration between Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye—an English-language track featuring mostly non-Korean artists.
The decision immediately sparked backlash online, with many questioning how an English song dominated by global stars outside of Korea could possibly represent the K-pop category. Critics argued that the award disregards the very essence of K-pop, reducing it to a marketing label rather than a genre rooted in Korean music and culture.
Social media lit up with frustration, with fans pointing out that the VMAs have a history of mishandling this category. Instead of celebrating Korean groups who continue to define and push the boundaries of the genre, the award went to a song that, while popular, hardly fits the definition of “K-pop” at all.
The outrage highlights a growing problem: global award shows using the “K-pop” tag for clout without respecting what it actually means. Fans aren’t against collaborations or crossover tracks, but handing out trophies to non-Korean productions under the K-pop label feels dismissive to the artists actually shaping the industry.
At the end of the day, the reaction was clear—fans want recognition that honors the genre authentically, not watered-down categories that confuse popularity with cultural identity. Until then, the credibility of awards like these will remain in question.
