BTS Sweeps Three Awards at 2026 MTV VMAs, Including First Song of the Year Win

BTS went three-for-three at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, winning Song of the Year, Best K-pop and Best Group.

“SWIM,” the lead single from the group’s fifth studio album ARIRANG, earned both Song of the Year and Best K-pop at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles.

The Song of the Year victory is BTS’s first in the category. The group was first nominated for the award in 2021 with “Dynamite,” becoming the first Korean act nominated in the category at the time.

BTS also extended its record in Best Group, earning its fifth win after previously taking the award four consecutive times from 2019 through 2022.

The Best K-pop award is the group’s fourth, following three consecutive wins from 2019 through 2021.

BTS did not attend this year’s ceremony due to scheduling conflicts, but shared a statement through BIGHIT MUSIC after the awards.

The group thanked ARMY for their continued support and described ARIRANG as a “new beginning,” adding that the seven members would continue bringing fans new music and performances together.

The three awards give BTS a clean sweep of their nominations at this year’s VMAs and add another milestone to the group’s return as seven.