BTS Targets Song of the Year at 2026 VMAs; BLACKPINK's Lisa Earns Four Solo Nominations

BTS is aiming for Song of the Year, the top honor at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards — one of the four major U.S. pop music award shows — as the group returns as a full group for the first time in 3 years and 9 months; BLACKPINK's Lisa also underscored K-pop's global reach with four solo nominations.

On the 18th local time, MTV announced the nominees for the 2026 VMA on its official website, naming BTS in two categories: Song of the Year and Best K-Pop.

Full-group comeback after 3 years, 9 months — targeting Song of the Year

BTS, returning as a full group after 3 years and 9 months, is nominated for Song of the Year with the title track "SWIM" from their fifth full-length album 'arirang'. This marks the first time the group has been nominated in that category in five years, since 2021.

The category also includes hit songs from global pop stars, such as Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter's collaboration "Bring Your Love," PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson's "Stateside," and Raye's "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!"

Can K-pop follow Rosé and secure consecutive Song of the Year wins?

The ceremony has drawn attention to whether a K-pop artist can win Song of the Year for a second straight year. At the 2025 MTV VMA, BLACKPINK's Rosé made history as the first K-pop artist to take home Song of the Year with "APT.," which she recorded with Bruno Mars. The nomination gives BTS a chance to carry that momentum forward.

BTS is also nominated for Best K-Pop. The group previously won that category three years in a row, from 2019 through 2021, underscoring their dominance.

BLACKPINK's Lisa nominated in four categories for her solo song

BLACKPINK's Lisa also stood out. Her solo song "Dream" earned her four nominations for its music video: Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. The nominations prompted industry praise that Lisa has cemented her place in the global pop market not only as a member of BLACKPINK but also as a solo artist.

The MTV VMA is considered one of the four major U.S. popular music award shows alongside the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and the American Music Awards. It is widely regarded as an important barometer of global pop-music trends.