(Dispatch/Naver's V Live)

This year’s lineup for the Asia Artist Awards is nothing short of star-studded.

Launched in November 2016 by business media outlet Money Today and its subsidiaries StarNews and MTN, the Asia Artist Awards recognize achievements in the recording, television and film industries.

Twenty musicians and 20 actors are attending the relatively new yet influential awards, including BTS. The septet, whose attendance at the awards show was announced in October, recently returned home from the Japanese leg of their world concert tour, “Love Yourself.”

BTS hit the red carpet early two hours prior to the ceremony’s official kickoff at 5 and delivered its hopes and aspirations for the night.

(Dispatch/Naver's V Live)

“We attended the first and the second AAA. We’re going to have a lot of fun up there on the stage,” said the group’s leader, RM, on the red carpet. “It’s cold. Let’s ‘burn the stage’ tonight,” J-Hope chimed in.

“It’s been a while since our last award ceremony. You can expect us to put on a nice show tonight. Thanks always to our fans, Army, for everything and I love you,” said Jimin.

The most highly anticipated event of the night is the Grand Prize presentation, the highest honor of the night. EXO, last year’s Grand Prize winner, declined to be present this year, citing a “busy schedule.” The coveted title is awarded on the basis of social media data analysis and public voting. Headlines predict that BTS will take EXO’s place this year.

BTS is already taking home a trophy for popularity in the music category, in which the winner is determined 100 percent by fan votes. Other winners are Sehun of EXO and IU, who won for popularity in the actor and actress categories respectively.

The 2018 Asia Artist Awards take place at Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon, a coastal city west of Seoul.

By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)