BTS, Blackpink, Katseye: Who will take K-pop's trophies at the 2026 MTV VMAs?

Could Monday mark another K-pop triumph?

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Sunday (local time) — 8:30 a.m. Monday Korean Standard Time — at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, one of American pop music's biggest annual celebrations.

Hosted by hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg, this year's ceremony arrives at a moment of comebacks, expansion and generational change — and K-pop is making its presence felt. BTS, Lisa, Jennie, Katseye and Cortis are all among the nominees.

It marks BTS's first major American music awards appearance since the group reunited following mandatory military service. The group received nominations in three categories at this year's VMAs.

The group is nominated for Song of the Year — the ceremony's top prize — for "SWIM," the title track of their fifth studio album "Arirang." The track competes against major English-language hits including Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter's "Bring Your Love," Ray's "Where Is My Husband!" and HUNTR/X's "Golden."

The race for Best Group is equally fierce, with BTS chasing a fifth career win in the category. The group swept the award four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022 and now faces strong competition from Blackpink, global girl group Katseye — a joint project between HYBE and Geffen — rising act Cortis, British girl group Flo and Mexican band Fuerza Regida.

Blackpink is competing both as a group and through solo members. The group is nominated for Best K-Pop and Best Group with "JUMP," while Lisa earned four nominations — Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography and Best Editing — for "Dream," the most of any K-pop artist this year. She is also set to perform her new song "Sawadika" live for the first time at the ceremony.

Jennie is nominated for Song of the Summer with "Dracula." Unlike other major categories, that award is decided by fan voting through MTV's Instagram Stories, with voting closing at 11 a.m. Sunday. Other nominees in the category include Katseye, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift. Jennie also received a nomination for Best Alternative.

Jisoo is nominated for Best Visual Effects for "Eyes Closed," her collaboration with Zayn Malik.

Global newcomers Katseye are also turning heads. The group earned nominations for Best K-Pop, Best Group, Song of the Summer and Best Choreography — the last decided by a panel of industry judges — with "PINKY UP," putting their music video up against those of Madonna and Taylor Swift.