BTS becomes first Asian group to win Song of the Year at MTV VMAs, claims fifth consecutive Best Group

BTS has claimed the top prize at one of American pop music's most prestigious ceremonies. Returning as a complete group after a nearly five-year hiatus, the septet took home the Song of the Year trophy at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

The group won the award Sunday (local time) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with "SWIM," the title track of their fifth studio album "Arirang."

Since the MTV VMAs launched in 1984, no Asian group had ever won Song of the Year in the ceremony's 42-year history — until now.

The Song of the Year category this year drew some of the biggest names in global pop. Contenders included "Bring Your Love," a collaboration between Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter — who led all nominees with 13 nods — "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" by British singer-songwriter Ray, "Golden" by HUNTR/X from the Netflix animated series KPop Demon Hunters, and "Choosin' Texas" by Ella Langley. When "SWIM" was announced as the winner, the Peacock Theater erupted in cheers.

BTS had previously made history at the VMAs in 2020, when "ON" earned them the Best Pop award — the first time an Asian artist had won in that category. The Song of the Year win extends that legacy, rewriting the narrative of Western pop music history.

BTS also swept Best Group and Best K-Pop, winning all three categories in which they were nominated. The Best Group win was particularly significant: the group had already claimed the award four consecutive years from 2019 to 2022, surpassing NSYNC's record of three wins. This year's trophy — their fifth — gives BTS the outright record for the most Best Group wins in VMA history.

The wins carry added weight because they came at a ceremony that combines fan voting with judging metrics, and because they mark BTS's first major achievements since reuniting as a full group. Major English-language award shows, including the VMAs, have long faced criticism for acknowledging K-pop's global reach while keeping it out of top-tier competition. This year's results set a new benchmark for the genre.

BTS has now collected more than 13 trophies at the VMAs since first receiving nominations in 2019. Their wins span Best Group, Best K-Pop, Group of the Year, Best Pop, Best Choreography and Song of the Summer.

Also at the ceremony, BLACKPINK's Lisa took home the Best Pop award for "Dream," her collaboration with Sakaguchi Kentaro, defeating Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande to become the first Asian solo artist to win the category.