[Bonus] 2020 Kpop Awards

What, you wanted some sort of introduction to the 2020 Kpop Awards? C'mon now have you been reading anything I've posted this year? I stopped paying real attention to the scene back in late February and have been barely coasting by since then. So we have seven total awards of...exciting caliber. Who will take home the most lackluster titles to date, let's find out.

Best Girl Group: TWICE

The carousel of this award continues to spin round and round. Twice are back to winning this award after doing so in 2016. Coronavirus did not slow them down because they continued with another huge slate of releases both in Korea and Japan. While I wouldn't say that every single title was spectacular - especially because I don't give a shit about Japanese releases - their track record simply outperforms the competition. "More & More" was alright (though hella repetitive) but it was "I Can't Stop Me" that bolsters their position. Ultimately their production and falloff from their rivals leads them into a second Best Girl Group award.

Best Boy Group: BTS

Imagine thinking anybody besides BTS would be here. Imagine also thinking I'd really evaluate the landscape of boy groups this year. Fun fact: the first time I heard this song was in some random Samsung commercial and I didn't even realize that it was a BTS song. And no, it wasn't because of the English. Like this is the BTS award by now, with this being their sixth win in the category. I'd have loved to give another group a chance but the trio of "Black Swan," "Life Goes On," and "Dynamite" shut down many arguments. The numbers don't lie, and BTS are writing the books themselves.

Best Soloist: Chungha

Talk about diversity, as this is the sixth different winner of Best Soloist of the past six years. Did you know Chungha has released five music videos this year? Much like Twice, this girl is putting in work and it has been paying off huge dividends. "Everybody Has" was solemn and emotional, "Stay Tonight" was classic high energy dance, "My Friend" was casual and playful, "Play" was loud and powerful, while "Dream Of You" was sultry as fuck. Her upcoming album is highly anticipated, and Chungha's 2020 display is but a teaser of her powers to come.

Best Rookie Group: Weeekly

Two groups were in contention for this spot: Play M's Weeekly and YG's Treasure. While I think that Treasure had a more impressive debut year, I can't in good conscience give something nice to YG Entertainment. Therefore, Weeekly take the de facto win. They had two solid (if uninspiring) releases in "Tag Me" and "Zig Zag," so they more or less earn it because no other groups outside of the aforementioned Treasure really made any waves in their first year together. Congratulations regardless.

Most Improved: GFriend

Surprisingly, I reviewed all three of GFriend's 2020 releases. But even if I hadn't, the evidence is clear: since joining the Big Hit family, this group has found a new stride and delivered some damn beautiful music. "Crossroads," "Apple," and "Mago" were all extremely high quality and showcased their maturity and growth as individuals and a group. Not only that, but each member has improved as a singer and performer, too. There's an argument to be made that GFriend could've taken the Best Girl Group from Twice, but man the latter's staggering numbers and achievements were a little more valuable to me in the end.

Most Disappointing: CLC

Well it wouldn't be a proper 2020 article without some negativity. Immediately after winning Most Improved last year, CLC find themselves in Most Disappointing, which is...well, disappointing. After a very strong 2019 run, they had but one release in "Helicopter," and then recent news broke that Elkie would be terminating her contract (something something Chinese member bailing out of their group). Cube apparently didn't pay her for her acting adventures this year, which is uh scummy as fuck? Needless to say, CLC will almost certainly be disbanded by next spring. There's no support, no future. Sad sad sad, as they didn't even make it to seven years.

Best Meme: BTOB - Nangman Oppa

Just watch the video. What the actual fuck. That is Eunkwang and Changsub for you. Trot, memes, ridiculous outfits, goofy choreography, these two deliver on all accounts. If you didn't know by now, BTOB members simpy do not give a fuck. Speaking if not giving a fuck, Ilhoon got busted for spending generous amounts of money on his weed addiction. Yeah he's fucking done. What an idiot. That's all for today, I'll be back tomorrow with a brief December Late Report and onto 20201.