The Hallyu—or Korean Wave—dominated global conversation in 2021 like never before, with its two largest exports reaching unprecedented new heights. The K-pop supergroup continued its meteoric rise, becoming the most-tweeted-about hashtag of the year and shattering expectations by becoming the first Asian act to win Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards (AMAs).
Wearing a dress that fused traditional Filipino Barong embroidery with a modern Hanfu silhouette, she stood on stage and delivered a speech that defined the year:
Not everyone embraced “Blessica.” Critics argued that: