BTS Wins VMA Song of the Year for the First Time, Takes Home 3 Awards

BTS claimed Song of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on the 27th, taking home the ceremony's most prestigious honor for "Swim," the title track from their fifth studio album ARIRANG. It was the first time the group had won the award in any category equivalent to the top prize at the VMAs, and they swept every category they were nominated in, adding Best K-Pop and Best Group to complete a three-trophy night.

The group was absent from the ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles due to scheduling commitments, but released a statement through their label. "We believe we were able to receive this great honor with 'Swim' thanks to everyone who loves our music," they said. "We promise to keep showing good music and performances together as seven." They also extended a direct thank-you to ARMY, their fandom, for the "unwavering love and support."

A historic run for K-pop at the VMAs

The win extends K-pop's grip on the VMAs' top slot to two consecutive years. Last year, BLACKPINK's Rosé took the Song of the Year trophy for "APT.," her collaboration with Bruno Mars, becoming the first K-pop act ever to win the award. BTS now makes it back-to-back, a run that would have seemed improbable even five years ago at a ceremony long dominated by American pop.

The Song of the Year competition this year was genuinely stiff. "Swim" edged out "Golden" from the Netflix animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter's "Bring Your Love," and Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas."

For Best Group, BTS extended their own record: they won the category four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022, and this fifth trophy is the most any act has ever claimed in that category. Best K-Pop is now their fourth win, after three straight from 2019 to 2021.

Lisa makes history in Best Pop

BLACKPINK's Lisa had the most visibly emotional moment of the night. Her song "Dream," featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi, won Best Pop over Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift, making Lisa the first K-pop solo artist and the first Asian solo artist ever to take the award. When her name was announced, she walked to the stage visibly stunned. "I'm so surprised to receive this incredible award," she said through tears. "Thank you to everyone who helped make this song and who gave me inspiration."

Lisa also performed her new single "SaWaDiKa" during the ceremony, a high-intensity stage that drew attention for its sharp choreography. The Best Pop win brings her total VMA trophies to four, following three Best K-Pop awards in 2022, 2024, and last year.

Jennie was nominated in the Song of Summer category but did not win. KATSEYE were nominated for Best New Artist and Best Choreography and Best K-Pop, also without a win.

Madonna leads the overall night with 7 awards

The biggest winner of the evening was Madonna, who swept seven categories including Artist of the Year, Best Dance, Best Cinematography, Best Choreography, Best Album, Best Long Form Video, and Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter. Her 15th studio album CONFESSIONS II, released in July, drove the haul.

Accepting Artist of the Year, Madonna reflected on her career arc with characteristic directness. "Many of you weren't born yet when I performed at the first VMAs," she said, referencing the show's 1984 debut. "For the past year and a half, I've been trying to find a way to believe in myself and truly make the music I wanted to make."

The VMAs, launched in 1984 and centered on music video achievement, are considered one of the four major American popular music awards alongside the Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and American Music Awards.

For BTS, the timing carries extra weight. The group kicks off the South American leg of their ARIRANG world tour on October 2nd in Bogotá, Colombia, with 14 shows across five cities including Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo. They described ARIRANG as "an album that feels like a new beginning" for them, which makes the Song of the Year win feel like more than just a trophy. It's a statement about where they are now.