BTS Takes VMAs Triple Crown, First K-pop 'Song of the Year'

Both Korean outlets report BTS swept three 2026 MTV VMAs, becoming the first K-pop group to win Song of the Year with 'SWIM'.

BTS swept all three categories they were nominated in at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, held September 27 (local time) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Through Big Hit Music, the seven members thanked ARMY for "unwavering love and support," calling 'ARIRANG' "like a new beginning for us, making this award even more meaningful."

According to The Asia Business Daily, 'Song of the Year' is the VMAs' top honor, and BTS beat nominees including Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas," "Golden" from Netflix's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters', Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter's "Bring Your Love," and Ray's "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" The outlet notes ROSE of BLACKPINK became the first Asian artist to win the category last year, sharing it with Bruno Mars for "APT," while BTS are now the first Asian group to lift it — meaning K-pop acts have taken the category two years running. STARNEWS frames it as the first time a Korean group has won the award at all.

Both outlets report the fifth 'Best Group' trophy — after four straight wins from 2019 to 2022 — sets an all-time record for the category. The Asia Business Daily adds this is BTS's first VMA trophy since all seven members completed military service and resumed group activities this March, and their first Song of the Year win after a 2021 nomination ended without a trophy. STARNEWS reports 'SWIM', released in March, topped the Billboard Hot 100, hit No. 2 on the UK Official Singles Chart, and spent 25 consecutive days at No. 1 on Spotify's Daily Top Songs Global.

The night was not BTS's alone: per The Asia Business Daily, BLACKPINK's Lisa won 'Best Pop' for "Dream," becoming the first Asian solo artist to take that prize and tearfully telling the crowd, "The dreams I held onto late at night have brought me to this very place today." Meanwhile, STARNEWS reports BTS will open the South American leg of their 'ARIRANG' world tour on October 2 in Bogota, Colombia, before 14 shows across five cities including Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo.