BTS has once again made history on the global music stage.
At the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held on September 27 in Los Angeles, BTS took home three awards, including the prestigious Song of the Year, as well as Best K-Pop and Best Group. The official MTV winners list confirms BTS’s “SWIM” as the winner of both Song of the Year and Best K-Pop. MTV’s official list of winners
BTS Wins Song of the Year
The biggest highlight of the night was undoubtedly Song of the Year.
BTS won the award with “SWIM,” the title track from their fifth studio album, ARIRANG. According to Yonhap News Agency’s report, this marked BTS’s first-ever Song of the Year win at the VMAs and made them the first K-pop group to receive the award.
“SWIM” competed against several major international releases, including “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Bring Your Love,” and Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas.” (Yonhap)
The achievement is particularly notable because Song of the Year is one of the VMAs’ major general-field awards. BTS’s victory therefore represents another significant milestone in the group’s long-standing presence in the international music industry.
Three Awards in One Night
BTS’s success did not stop with Song of the Year.
The group also won Best K-Pop for “SWIM” and Best Group, meaning BTS won all three categories in which they were nominated at this year’s ceremony. (Yonhap)
The Best Group award adds another milestone to BTS’s VMA history. According to The Korea Times, this was the group’s fifth Best Group victory, following four consecutive wins from 2019 through 2022. The Korea Times reported on BTS’s VMA record.
BTS’s 2026 VMA Wins at a Glance
- 🏆 Song of the Year — “SWIM”
- 🏆 Best K-Pop — “SWIM”
- 🏆 Best Group — BTS
- 🏆 Three awards overall
- 🏆 First K-pop group to win Song of the Year
- 🏆 Fifth Best Group win for BTS
BTS Shares a Message with ARMY
Although BTS did not attend the ceremony in person, the members shared their thoughts through their agency.
According to Yonhap, BTS described ARIRANG as an album that represents “a new beginning” for the group, making the recognition even more meaningful.
The members also expressed their gratitude to everyone who has supported their music, particularly their fans around the world.
Their message emphasized their appreciation for ARMY and their commitment to continuing to create music and perform together as seven members. (Yonhap)
A New Chapter with ARIRANG
The VMA victories come at an important moment in BTS’s career.
After returning as a full group earlier this year, BTS released their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, and have continued their activities on the international stage. The success of “SWIM” at the 2026 VMAs adds another major achievement to the album’s global journey. The Korea Times also highlighted the significance of the group’s return and its latest VMA achievements.
And the journey is far from over.
According to Yonhap, BTS is scheduled to continue the ARIRANG World Tour in South America, beginning in Bogotá, Colombia, on October 2, followed by performances in Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo.
Another Historic Chapter for BTS
BTS’s three victories at the 2026 MTV VMAs represent more than three additional trophies.
The group has now achieved another milestone by becoming the first K-pop group to win Song of the Year, while also extending its record in the Best Group category.
More importantly, the awards arrive alongside the group’s return as seven members and the beginning of a new chapter with ARIRANG.
As BTS themselves described the album, it is a new beginning—and the 2026 MTV VMAs have given that new beginning an unforgettable milestone.
With the ARIRANG World Tour continuing around the globe, fans will be watching closely to see what BTS accomplishes next.
Three awards. One historic night.
And another unforgettable chapter in BTS’s global journey.
Peter Yang