By Kim Ji-soo
Korea Times
February 5, 2014
Super rookie K-pop boy band EXO continues to raise eyebrows, in a good way.
The 12-member boy band was nominated for song of the year, new artist of the year, and top song for dance and electronic music with “Growl” at the Korean Music Awards. The group made its mark in the music industry where its first full-length album “XOXO” (Kiss&Hug) became a million-seller for the first time in 12 years.
The group’s fellow label-mate f(x) was also nominated for top song and album for dance and electronic music. Crayon Pop, the so-called “nerdy” K-pop girl group wasnominated for song of the year in the same category with “Bar Bar Bar.”
The Korean Music Awards, which is in its 11th year, puts Korean contemporary musicians of all genres together to select outstanding artists. This year’s nominees were selected based on albums released from Dec. 1, 2012 through Nov. 30, 2013.
Korea’s legendary pop singer Cho Yong-pil was nominated in four categories for his 19th studio album “Hello.” The person with the most nominations is female singer Jang Pil-soon who was nominated in seven divisions for her seventh studio album “Soony.” She was nominated in album of the year, song of the year for “Maemmaem,” musician of the year, outstanding modern rock music and outstanding popular musician.
