BTS, KATSEYE Among 2026 AMA K-pop Nominees
BTS members pose for a photo after performing at their comeback concert in Gwanghwamun on March 21. (Photo / BigHit Music)
Several K-pop artists have secured nominations at the American Music Awards, underscoring the genre’s continued expansion in the global music market ahead of the 2026 ceremony.
The nominee list, released ahead of the May event, features a mix of established global acts and emerging groups, reflecting both the scale and diversity of K-pop’s international reach.
BTS leads nominations across major categories
BTS received nominations in multiple high-profile categories, including Artist of the Year and Best Male K-pop Artist. Their latest album “ARIRANG” has driven renewed global attention, while the title track “SWIM” was nominated for Song of the Summer.
In the Artist of the Year category, BTS is set to compete alongside prominent global names such as Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift, placing the group once again among the industry’s most visible acts.
Rising and established acts fill competitive K-pop categories
Rookie group KATSEYE also stood out with three nominations, including New Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Pop Artist, and Best Music Video for “Gnarly.” The recognition highlights the group’s rapid growth in the US market following a series of chart achievements.
Competition within K-pop-specific categories remains intense. In the Best Male K-pop Artist category, BTS is joined by ATEEZ, ENHYPEN, Stray Kids, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
The Best Female K-pop Artist category features aespa, BLACKPINK, ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, and TWICE, demonstrating a broad representation of leading girl groups across different generations.
Broader K-pop presence extends beyond artist categories
K-pop’s influence is also reflected in soundtrack and song nominations. The project K-Pop Demon Hunters, which has received international recognition, was nominated for Best Soundtrack. In addition, the track “Golden,” performed by the fictional group Huntrix within the project, earned a nomination for Best Pop Song.
The American Music Awards determines nominees based on key metrics including streaming, sales, and radio airplay, making the nominations a strong indicator of mainstream popularity in the United States.
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. As anticipation builds, industry observers are closely watching how K-pop artists will perform across major and genre-specific categories, with outcomes expected to further shape the genre’s global trajectory.
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