Watch the Moment when BTS tearfully snagged their first Daesang at the 2016 MAMA Awards

BTS is a force to be reckoned with in the global music industry. Debuting under a small, nearly bankrupt agency, the septet has risen to become pop culture icons of the 21st century. ARMYs who have followed their remarkable journey will remember the unforgettable moment when BTS, against all odds, secured their first Daesang at the 2016 MAMA Awards.

 

The 2016 MAMA Awards took place at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. For those unfamiliar, Daesang means "Grand Prize" in Korean and is typically awarded to the top performers in categories like Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. BTS won the Artist of the Year award, competing against legendary artists such as EXO, TWICE, GFRIEND, and Taeyeon's Girls' Generation.

When the cameras captured their reactions, BTS displayed a mix of exasperation and joy, burying their faces in their hands before embracing each other in a heartfelt group hug. The members were visibly emotional as they delivered their acceptance speech, thanking ARMYs and promising to create even better music in the future. 

 

That same year, BTS also won the Daesang at the 2016 Melon Music Awards (MMA), becoming the first artists outside of the big three agencies—SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment—to achieve this incredible feat. Today, BTS holds the record for the most Daesang Awards in MAMA history.

 

Watch the iconic moment below!