2023 was an amazing year for Kpop. With incredible comebacks and debuts, it's hard to pick a favorite artist but, here are the most admired Kpop artists of 2023 based off of the awards they received from the MAMA and the Asia Artist Awards:
NEWJEANS
NewJeans had an incredible 2023 and ended it by winning many prestigious awards. At the MAMA's they won: 'Artist of the Year', 'Song of the Year' for their song "Ditto", they also won 'Best Dance Performance' for a female group for "Ditto" as well, and to top it all off, they won 'Best Female Group' of the year. And to top it all off, at the Asia Artist Awards they won 'Singer of the Year' and 'Song of the Year' for "Ditto" once again. An amazing finish to an amazing year for NewJeans.
SEVENTEEN
Seventeen crushed 2023 with the release of their tenth mini-album, 'FML' which they won 'Album of the Year' for at both the Asia Artist Awards and the MAMA's as well! And if that wasn't enough, they would also win 'Best Male Group' and 'Best Dance Performance' by a Male Group for their song "Super" at the MAMA's as well. Plus not to mention, Seventeen's sub-unit, "BSS," won 'Performance of the Year' at the AAA's for "Second Wind." Talk about a successful year for Seventeen who's hard work was definitely noticed by the fans.
JISOO OF BLACKPINK
Jisoo of BLACKPINK made her solo debut in March 2023 wit the release of her song and musiv video "Flower", and fans loved it. The choreography for 'Flower' spread like wildfire on social media, with a vast number of other idols from other groups posting them doing the choreography on their social media pages. At the MAMA's Jisoo would win 'Best Female Artist' and she would win 'Best Dance Performance' for a female solo for 'Flower' and 'Best Music Video' for 'Flower' as well. A great solo debut and year for Jisoo.
BTS
You can't have an 'Admired Kpop Artists' list without BTS. Even though the members of BTS started with their Korean military service at the end of 2022 an all throughout 2023, that didn't stop the group and it's members from shinning in 2023. At the MAMA awards the would win 'Worldwide Icon of the Year' and 'Best OST' for "The Planet". And to top it all off, a few BTS members would take home prestigious awards as well: Jimin won 'Best Male Artist,' Agust D won 'Best Rap & HipHop Performance' for "People Pt. 2" (feat. IU) and Jungkook would win 'Best Dance Performance' for male solo for "Seven" (feat. Latto) and 'Best Collaboration' for "Seven" (feat. Latto). The world is impatiently awaiting the reunion of BTS in 2025 when all members return from Korean military service.
LE SSERAFIM
LE SSERAFIM had a spectacular 2023 with the release of their first studio album, "UNFORGIVEN" which featured their massively successful songs "ANTIFRAGIL," "UNFORGIVEN (ft.Nile Rodgers)" and "Eve, Psyche & The Bluebeard’s wife." They would go on to win 'Best Artist Award' at the Asia Artist Awards and fans are looking forward to a world tour announcement, that is expected to happen soon.
ZEROBASEONE
ZEROBASEONE took the Kpop world by storm, making their debut only this year on July 10, 2023 with the mini album, ‘YOUTH IN THE SHADE.‘ ZEROBASEONE, also known as simply ZB1, is a 9-member project group formed by MNET‘s survival show BOYS PLANET, so they already had hype coming into the Kpop scene. They would go on to win 'Best New Male Artist' at the MAMA's and 'Rookie of the Year' at the Asia Artist Awards.
STRAY KIDS
2023 for Stray Kids was nothing short of phenomenal. They became the first and only fourth-generation K-pop group to win the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, joining the ranks of only six other groups who have achieved this feat. Their album '5-STAR' sold over 2.7 million copies in its first week alone. This propelled them to the top of the Billboard 200 chart for the third consecutive time, closing the gap on BTS's record. They surpassed ONE BILLION global on-demand streams in just 86 days, 16 days faster than in 2022, becoming the second-fastest male Korean act to reach this milestone. To top it all off, they would end 2023 winning 'Stage of the Year' at the Asia Artist Awards.
ITZY
ITZY had a busy and successful year as well in 2023, releasing their mini album "KILL MY DOUBT" and three music videos with it for "BET ON ME," "None of My Business" and "Cake." And it seems the fans thoroughly enjoyed the album and their performances in 2023, enough to win them a "Best Artist Award" at the Asia Artist Awards.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
It's only right to mention the other artists who also won 'Best Artist Award' at the Asia Artist Awards:
-IVE
-The Boyz
-AKMU
-SB19
Winning awards is certainly a huge accomplishment for any group, but we acknowledge that there are so many talented and wonderful Kpop artists out there that don't win awards, that of course still deserve praise and love from fans. And not taking home an award during awards season does not make any group less than any others. Ultimately, Kpop is all about your own passion and love, and finding artists you feel at home with and you connect with. And we hope everyone out there can find their own artists that can bring them those feelings.