The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Snoop Dogg. Several major K-pop acts like BLACKPINK, BTS, LISA, CORTIS, KATSEYE, and LE SSERAFIM were nominated.
BTS emerged as the night’s biggest K-pop winner, and BLACKPINK’s Lisa secured a major solo victory.
Lisa’s Historic Win at the VMAs
Lisa took home the evening’s first award, winning Best Pop for her solo track “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi. The victory was emotional for the BLACKPINK member, who teared up during her acceptance speech.
“I wouldn’t be here without you guys,” Lisa told her fans, known as Lillies, through tears.
The win is historic on multiple levels. She became the first K-pop solo artist and the first female K-pop artist to win the Best Pop category. While BTS won Best Pop as a group in 2020, no K-pop soloist had ever claimed the honor until now.
Lisa was competing against Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, and Taylor Swift.
“Dream” appears on LISA’s debut studio album, “Alter Ego,” released in February 2025. The track also reached No. 16 on the Japan Heatseekers Songs chart and No. 20 on the Japan Hot Shot Songs chart.
This marks Lisa’s fourth VMA win, following previous Best K-pop victories for “Lalisa,” “Rockstar,” and “Born Again” featuring Doja Cat and RAYE in 2025.
She also took the stage during the ceremony, performing her new song “SaWaDiKa.” The performance featured boxing-inspired choreography and a moving platform.
BTS took home three awards
BTS took home three awards tied to their track “Swim,” the lead single from their fifth studio album Arirang. The group won Song of the Year, Best K-Pop, and Best Group. “Swim” competed in Song of the Year against tracks including Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Bring Your Love,” and RAYE’s “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”.
This is the second year in a row a K-pop act has won the major Song of the Year” category. Last year, Rosè took home SOTY for her collaboration song “APT.” with Bruno Mars.
Other K-Pop Highlights
Lisa led all K-pop artists with four nominations, including Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best K-pop in addition to her Best Pop win.
The Best K-pop category also included nominees like BLACKPINK’s “Jump,” CORTIS’s “Redred,” KATSEYE’s “Pinky Up,” and LE SSERAFIM featuring J-Hope of BTS with “Spaghetti”.
CORTIS also received a nomination for Best New Artist, but it went to British singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro.
The Night’s Other Big Winners
Madonna dominated the evening with seven awards, including Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration for “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter. The pop icon also delivered her first VMA performance in 23 years.
Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and received the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, making her the most-awarded artist in VMA history with 31 awards.
Nirvana received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Sienna Spiro won Best New Artist, while Bruno Mars took home Best R&B for “I Just Might”.
