BTS [MTV VMA]
BTS [MTV VMA]

BTS has been nominated for Song of the Year — the top honor at the MTV Video Music Awards — at the 2026 MTV VMAs.

According to the nominee list the 2026 MTV VMAs released Tuesday (local time), "SWIM," the title track from BTS's fifth studio album "Arirang," has been nominated for Song of the Year.

The group will compete against a strong field of global hits, including "Bring Your Love" by Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter, "Stateside" by PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, and "WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!" by RAYE.

This marks BTS's second Song of the Year nomination, following their historic first nod at the 2021 MTV VMAs for "Dynamite" — the first time a Korean singer had been nominated in the category.

The nomination was driven by dominant chart performance. "SWIM," released March 20, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 dated April 4 and held a top position for 20 consecutive weeks. It also entered the UK's Official Singles Top 100 dated March 27–April 2 at No. 2, the group's highest-ever position on that chart, marking a significant showing across both major English-language pop charts.

BTS is also nominated for Best K-Pop, a category the group won three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021, tying the all-time record for most wins. LE SSERAFIM's "SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope of BTS)," which features member j-hope, has also received a nomination in the same category.

BTS has a long history with the MTV VMAs. The group took home Best Group and Best K-Pop at the 2019 ceremony, then swept four categories in 2020 — Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Choreography and Best Group. In 2021, they won three awards: Group of the Year, Best K-Pop and Song of Summer, then claimed Group of the Year again in 2022. Member Jungkook added to the group's tally in 2023, winning Song of Summer with his debut solo single "Seven (feat. Latto)," underscoring the group's global reach both as a unit and through individual activities. The ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 27.


shee@heraldcorp.com