BTS has won Song of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards for “Swim”, giving the K-pop group its first victory in one of the ceremony’s major categories. The song, released through BIGHIT MUSIC, is the lead single from the group’s fifth studio album, Arirang.
The win also made BTS the first K-pop group to win Song of the Year at the VMAs. The group had previously been nominated in the category in 2021 with “Dynamite”, but did not win. Last year, BLACKPINK’s Rosé became the first K-pop artist to take the award for “APT.” with Bruno Mars.
BTS did not attend the ceremony in Los Angeles, but thanked its fans, known as ARMY, in a statement released through BIGHIT MUSIC. The group said the award was particularly meaningful because Arirang represented “a new beginning” for the seven-member group following its period of suspended group activities.
“Swim” also earned BTS the Best K-Pop award, where it competed against BLACKPINK, CORTIS, KATSEYE, LE SSERAFIM featuring j-hope and LISA. The group additionally won Best Group, meaning it swept all three categories in which it was nominated.
The Best Group victory was BTS’ fifth in the category, extending its record after four consecutive wins between 2019 and 2022. Its Best K-Pop win was its fourth, giving the group sole possession of the category’s record.
Released in March, “Swim” topped the Billboard Hot 100, reached No. 2 on the UK Official Singles Chart and spent 25 consecutive days at No. 1 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart. The awards sweep comes as BTS continues its full-group activities following the members’ return from mandatory military service.