By Kim Eun Young and Kim Young Shin

The K-pop sensation BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, has become the first K-pop group to win at the Billboard Music Awards.

BTS won the Top Social Artist award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 21.

The first K-pop artist to win a Billboard Music Award was Psy, who won the Top Streaming Song Video award for his megahit "Gangnam Style" in 2013.

BTS wins the Top Social Artist award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, defeating other prominent nominees such as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes. (Billboard Music Awards)

The Top Social Artist award is given to the artist with the highest combined number of album and digital sales in a year, between March 18 and the same date the following year. It includes streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement scores, and is tabulated by the votes from fans all over the world. Ever since the establishment of the award in 2011, Justin Bieber monopolized the top position until this year.

“We still cannot believe we’re standing here on this stage at the Billboard Music Awards,” said Rap Monster, a member of BTS, “Most importantly, this award belongs to the every people all around the world that shine their love and light on us by the million and make BTS proud.”

eykim86@korea.kr