BTS reclaims Kids' Choice group award after 3-year gap, sweeps 3 trophies

BTS reclaimed the group trophy at the US Kids' Choice Awards for the first time in three years, sweeping all three categories in which they were nominated — including their fifth studio album Arirang and its title track SWIM — to take home a triple crown.

According to organizers, BTS was named winner of Favorite Music Group or Duo, Favorite Song and Favorite Album at the Kids' Choice Awards 2026, held Saturday (local time) at Television City in Los Angeles.

In the album category, Arirang topped a field of eight nominees that included Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl," Sabrina Carpenter's "Man's Best Friend" and Drake's "Iceman." In the song category, SWIM beat out seven rivals — among them Justin Bieber's "Daisies," Bruno Mars' "I Just Might" and Olivia Rodrigo's "Drop Dead." The group category featured six acts, including BLACKPINK, Jonas Brothers and Maroon 5.

BTS held the group award for four consecutive years from 2020 through 2023, a run Guinness World Records recognized as the most wins in that category. The trophy passed to Imagine Dragons in 2024 and Stray Kids in 2025 while the members were on mandatory military service, but BTS reclaimed it after resuming full-group activities in March this year with Arirang. The win is their fifth in the category, extending their own record.

BTS first won at the ceremony in 2018 with Favorite Global Music Star and went on to collect seven trophies through 2023, including a triple crown in 2021 with "Dynamite." The three wins this year bring their all-time total to 10.

The Kids' Choice Awards, held by US children's network Nickelodeon since 1988, determines winners across music, television and film through votes cast by child and teenage fans. The ceremony, now in its 39th edition, was simulcast for the first time on both CBS and Nickelodeon. It was also the first time since 1992 that the show — typically held in spring or summer — took place in November.

BLACKPINK members also took home trophies. Rosé won Favorite Female Artist, beating out a field of eight that included Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. Jennie won Favorite Music Collaboration for "Dracula," recorded with Tame Impala, the project of Australian musician Kevin Parker. Katseye, the girl group created jointly by Hybe and US label Geffen Records, was named Favorite Female Breakout Artist/Group.

The Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters was nominated in five categories and won three. Ahn Hyo-seop, who voiced Jinwoo, won Favorite Male Animated Voice From a Movie, while Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi, took Favorite Female Animated Voice From a Movie. "Golden," performed by the in-film girl group Huntrix — comprising Lee Jae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami — won Favorite Song From a Movie. The film had already won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 98th Academy Awards in March, and now added the children's vote to its tally. However, Favorite Animated Movie and the newly introduced Favorite On-Screen Duo/Trio both went to "Zootopia 2."

Favorite Movie went to "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," with its leads Tom Holland and Zendaya sweeping the male and female movie actor categories. Bruno Mars took the male artist award.