The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards have ignited a fierce debate in the music community after BLACKPINK‘s Lisa received a Best K-pop nomination for her collaboration “Born Again” featuring Doja Cat and RAYE. The controversy centers on a fundamental question: what defines K-pop in today’s globalized music landscape?
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BLACKPINK Lisa Nomination That Divided Fans
On August 5, 2025, MTV announced the VMA nominations, with Lisa’s “Born Again” earning a spot in the Best K-pop category. However, fans quickly pointed out several issues with this categorization, sparking widespread discussion about genre boundaries and industry recognition.
| Song Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Born Again |
| Artists | Lisa (Thailand), Doja Cat (USA), RAYE (UK) |
| Language | Entirely English |
| Genre | Pop (per Sony Music press release) |
| Chart Performance | Debuted at #68 on Billboard Hot 100 |
| Release Date | February 2025 |
| Label | LLOUD/RCA |
Why Fans Are Questioning the Classification
The nomination has created confusion among music fans and industry observers. Critics argue that “Born Again” doesn’t meet traditional K-pop criteria for several reasons:
Key concerns raised by fans:
- No Korean elements: The song contains no Korean lyrics or musical elements
- International collaboration: Features American and British artists alongside Thai-born Lisa
- Global pop sound: Sony Music officially described it as a “dynamic and high-energy pop” song
- Language barrier: Entirely performed in English
One passionate fan expressed the sentiment many share: “BORN AGAIN, a song by a THAI woman featuring AMERICAN and BRITISH women, with ENGLISH lyrics being nominated under KPOP category is stupidity.”
The Genre Classification Dilemma
This controversy highlights the evolving nature of K-pop as a genre. As Korean artists increasingly collaborate internationally and release English-language music, the traditional boundaries of what constitutes “K-pop” become blurred.
Arguments for the K-pop classification:
- Lisa’s identity as a BLACKPINK member
- Her association with the K-pop industry
- Precedent of other international K-pop collaborations
Arguments against the classification:
- Complete absence of Korean language or culture
- Global pop production style
- International artist collaborations
BLACKPINK Makes VMAs History
Despite the controversy, the 2025 VMAs mark a historic moment for BLACKPINK. All four members—Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa—have received solo nominations in the Best K-pop category for the first time in the same year.
BLACKPINK’s 2025 VMA nominations:
- Rosé: 8 total nominations (7 for “APT.” with Bruno Mars, 1 for “Toxic Till the End”)
- Lisa: “Born Again” – Best K-pop
- Jennie: “Like JENNIE” – Best K-pop
- Jisoo: “Earthquake” – Best K-pop
Rosé particularly dominates with nominations across major categories including Video of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Collaboration for her Bruno Mars duet “APT.”
The Broader Impact on Industry Recognition
This situation raises important questions about how award shows categorize music in an increasingly globalized industry. Some fans worry that placing international collaborations in genre-specific categories might actually limit artists’ recognition in mainstream awards.
“This is like giving free pass to haters to hate on Lisa if ever she wins,” one concerned fan noted, highlighting how misclassification could undermine legitimate achievements.
What This Means for K-pop’s Future
The debate surrounding Lisa’s nomination reflects K-pop’s evolution from a regional genre to a global phenomenon. As Korean artists continue breaking international barriers, award shows must adapt their classification systems.
Key considerations:
- Should artist nationality determine genre classification?
- How important are language and cultural elements?
- Can global collaborations still represent specific genres?
- What defines authenticity in cross-cultural music?
For comprehensive coverage of K-pop’s global expansion and industry developments, visit TechnoSports’ K-pop section for in-depth analysis of the genre’s evolution.
Industry Response and Future Implications
The MTV Video Music Awards will take place on September 7, 2025, at UBS Arena, Long Island. How this controversy affects voting and future categorization decisions remains to be seen.
The situation demonstrates the challenges award shows face as music becomes increasingly borderless. Future ceremonies may need clearer guidelines for genre classification as artists continue pushing creative boundaries.
The Verdict: Progress or Problem?
While some see this as progress toward recognizing K-pop artists in broader contexts, others view it as a misunderstanding of what K-pop represents culturally and musically.
The debate ultimately reflects positive growth—K-pop artists are creating music that transcends traditional genre boundaries, even if it creates classification challenges.
For ongoing coverage of award shows and music industry developments, explore TechnoSports’ Entertainment section for balanced analysis of industry trends and artist achievements.
For the latest updates on K-pop awards, industry developments, and artist achievements, visit TechnoSports Entertainment for comprehensive coverage of music industry news and analysis.
FAQs
Q: Why are fans upset about Lisa’s “Born Again” being nominated in the Best K-pop category?
A: Fans argue that “Born Again” doesn’t qualify as K-pop because it’s entirely in English, features no Korean artists or cultural elements, and includes American (Doja Cat) and British (RAYE) collaborators alongside Thai-born Lisa. Sony Music officially classified it as a “pop” song, leading many to believe it should compete in mainstream pop or collaboration categories rather than being confined to the K-pop genre classification.
Q: What makes this year’s MTV VMAs historic for BLACKPINK?
A: 2025 marks the first time all four BLACKPINK members—Jennie, Jisoo, Rosé, and Lisa—have received individual solo nominations in the same year. Rosé leads with 8 nominations total, including major categories like Video of the Year and Song of the Year for her Bruno Mars collaboration “APT.” This achievement demonstrates the group’s successful transition to solo careers while maintaining their collective impact on the global music scene.
