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Why BTS Refuses to Speak English at Award Shows — and What It Means for Korean Learners in 2026

June 9, 2026

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BTS swept the 2026 AMAs and delivered their entire speech in Korean. Here's why that matters if you're learning the language.

If you've ever wondered whether learning Korean is worth the effort, BTS just answered that question on one of the biggest stages in music. On May 26, 2026, the group took home Artist of the Year and Song of the Summer at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas — and delivered every word of their acceptance speech in Korean. Not because they can't speak English. Because they chose not to.

What actually happened at the AMAs

BTS made history as the first K-pop act to win multiple major awards at a single American Music Awards ceremony. The AMAs, alongside the Grammys and Billboard Music Awards, form the three biggest music award shows in the US — and among the three, the AMAs weigh fan voting most heavily. Billboard called the wins "record-breaking." But the real story wasn't the trophies. It was the language.

Why BTS keeps choosing Korean over English

RM speaks English fluently. He could easily deliver a polished acceptance speech without a translator. Yet since their 2018 UN address, BTS has consistently defaulted to Korean at official events. This isn't stubbornness — it's strategy.

Linguists call it linguistic prestige: when a speaker deliberately chooses a language they don't need to use, they elevate that language's cultural status. Every time BTS accepts an award in Korean on American television, they're signaling that Korean belongs on that stage — not as a novelty, but as a working language of global entertainment.

Compare this with other K-pop acts. BLACKPINK's Lisa often speaks Thai with local fans, and TWICE's Mina uses Japanese, but neither group has made their native language a consistent brand identity at international ceremonies. NewJeans takes the opposite approach entirely, fluidly switching between English, Korean, and Japanese depending on context. BTS's commitment to Korean-first is the most systematic language strategy in K-pop.

Korean is now the 7th most-studied language in the world

According to Duolingo's 2025 annual report, Korean has climbed to the 7th most-studied language globally — and ranks 3rd across Southeast Asia. The top motivation among learners? Understanding K-pop lyrics in their original language.

The numbers back this up on the institutional side too. The King Sejong Institute Foundation now runs Korean language programs in 244 locations across 82 countries, with enrollment up 47% since 2020. TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) test-takers exceeded 500,000 in 2024. Every time BTS speaks Korean on a global stage, that pipeline of new learners grows in real time.

What this means for BTS themselves

There's a self-serving dimension too — and it's smart. BTS's album ARIRANG is now eligible for the 2027 Grammy Awards. If it earns a nomination, the narrative writes itself: a Korean-language album competing for a Grammy main category. Their refusal to switch languages is the foundation of that story.

It's worth noting that the Grammys work differently from the AMAs. Grammy winners are chosen by industry professionals, not fan votes, so fandom power alone won't carry a nomination to a win. But the "Korean-language Grammy contender" narrative has cultural value regardless of the outcome.

Why this matters if you're studying Korean right now

Korean is no longer a hobby language you pick up because you like K-dramas. It's becoming one of the working languages of global entertainment. When the Artist of the Year at America's biggest fan-voted music award speaks Korean by choice, the language's status shifts structurally — not just culturally.

If you're already learning Korean, you're not chasing a trend. You're riding a structural wave. And if you haven't started yet, the barrier to entry has never been lower.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to learn Korean as an English speaker?

A: The US Foreign Service Institute estimates around 2,200 class hours to reach professional proficiency — roughly 88 weeks of intensive study. But conversational Korean is far more achievable. Most dedicated learners using apps and consistent daily practice report being able to hold basic conversations within 6 to 12 months. Hangul, the Korean alphabet, can genuinely be learned in a single afternoon — it was designed to be intuitive.

Q: What are the most useful Korean phrases for traveling in Korea?

A: Start with these five: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida, formal thank you), 주세요 (juseyo, please give me — essential for ordering food), 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo, how much is it?), 화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodiyeyo, where is the restroom?), and 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo, it's okay / I'm fine). These cover about 80% of tourist interactions. Locals genuinely appreciate even basic attempts at Korean.

Q: Is Hangul really easy to learn in a day?

A: Yes — and that's not marketing hype. Hangul was invented in 1443 by King Sejong specifically so that ordinary people could learn to read. It has 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels, and the letters are shaped to show how your mouth moves when pronouncing them. Most learners can read Hangul (slowly) within a few hours. Reading fluently and understanding what you're reading are different things, of course, but cracking the alphabet is a genuine quick win that makes everything else easier.

Q: Which app is best for learning Korean in 2026?

A: It depends on your goal. Duolingo is best for building a daily habit with gamified lessons. Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK) offers structured grammar courses that many serious learners swear by. Anki with a Korean vocabulary deck is unbeatable for memorization. For listening practice, Podcasts in Korean and slowing down K-drama scenes on Netflix work well. Most successful learners combine two or three tools rather than relying on one.

Q: Do I need TOPIK to work or study in Korea?

A: For university admission, most Korean universities require TOPIK Level 3 or higher (out of 6). For work visas, TOPIK isn't always mandatory but significantly strengthens your application — many employers list it as preferred. The E-7 skilled worker visa and the points-based immigration system both award points for TOPIK scores. If you're serious about living in Korea long-term, aiming for TOPIK Level 4 is a practical target that opens most doors.

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This article is AI-assisted editorial content by KoreaCue, based on Korean news sources and public information. It is not a direct translation of any original work.

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