BTS target Song of the Year at 2026 MTV VMAs after 3 years and 9 months, Lisa nominated in four categories

BTS nominated for Song of the Year and Best K-Pop with title track "SWIM" from their fifth album 'Arirang' after a 3 years and 9 months full-group return; BLACKPINK's Lisa shortlisted in four categories, including Best Pop, for her solo single "Dream"

BTS are targeting Song of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards after returning as a full group following a 3 years and 9 months hiatus. BLACKPINK's Lisa was also shortlisted in four categories for her solo single "Dream", underscoring K-pop's global reach.

MTV published the 2026 VMA nominees on its official website on 18 August, local time; BTS were shortlisted in two categories: Song of the Year and Best K-Pop.

Full-group return after 3 years and 9 months — eyes on Song of the Year

BTS are vying for one of the ceremony's top honours with "SWIM", the title track from their fifth studio album 'Arirang', released after a 3 years and 9 months hiatus as a full group. It is the first time the band has been nominated in that category in five years, since 2021.

They face competition from a number of major global pop stars and their hit songs, including Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter's collaboration "Bring Your Love", PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson's "Stateside", and RAY's "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!".

Can K-pop follow on from Rosé's success?

This year’s ceremony has focused attention on whether a K-pop artist can win Song of the Year for a second consecutive year. At the 2025 MTV VMA, BLACKPINK's Rosé made history as the first K-pop artist to win Song of the Year with "APT.".

BTS are also shortlisted for Best K-Pop. They previously won that category three years running, from 2019 to 2021, showing their unrivalled presence.

[Photo: Screenshot from Lisa's Instagram]

BLACKPINK's Lisa nominated in four categories for solo song

Lisa has been nominated in four categories — Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography and Best Editing — for the music video of her solo single "Dream". Industry assessments say she has cemented her position in the global pop market not only as a member of BLACKPINK but as a solo artist.

The MTV VMA is regarded, along with the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards and the American Music Awards, as one of the four major ceremonies of the US popular-music scene and an important barometer of global pop trends.