BTS wins album of the year at MMA 2026; aespa takes newly created global award

MMA 2026 opens first of two nights

BTS, aespa each take grand prize

"Among the vast sea of music, the best album of the year created a perfect world rather than the fleeting brilliance of a single song."

Actor Lee Young-ae, presenting the award, introduced BTS with those words as the fully reunited group took the stage. The band's fifth studio album "Arirang," released three years and nine months after the 2022 anthology album "Proof," was named album of the year by Melon.

BTS won the KakaoBank Album of the Year grand prize at the 18th Melon Music Awards (MMA 2026), held Saturday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. The group swept three awards, also taking Stage of the Year — given to the artist who elevated the value of live performance — and Global Top 10. The inaugural trophy for the newly created Global-K Artist of the Year grand prize went to aespa.

This year's MMA was the first to span two days since the ceremony launched in 2009. Melon, operated by Kakao Entertainment, said about 18,000 fans attended the first night. The second night, held Sunday at the same venue, will feature the remaining grand prize categories — Artist of the Year, Best Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Rookie of the Year — along with performances by 12 acts including IVE, NCT 127 and Cortis.

The year of 'Arirang': BTS erases a nearly four-year absence

"Arirang" shot to No. 1 on Melon's Top 100 chart within an hour of its release in March, led by title track SWIM, and all 14 B-sides also charted. The momentum carried overseas: BTS won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards in May, then swept Song of the Year, Best K-pop and Best Group at the MTV Video Music Awards in September with "SWIM." The Stage of the Year trophy recognized the band's world tour, also called "Arirang," which spanned 23 countries.

Kim Hyun-jung, deputy CEO of Big Hit Music, who led BTS's successful comeback, received the Best Producer award at the ceremony, given to producers who craft albums of exceptional quality through outstanding creative vision.

"This year was a special one — BTS released their new album 'Arirang' after three years and nine months and reunited with fans around the world on the world tour," Kim said. "I will continue to work as a supporter for the seven members." Kim was the only Korean to appear on Billboard's 2026 40 Under 40 list, published in July, which recognizes next-generation leaders under 40 shaping the music industry.

The Global-K Artist of the Year award recognizes singers who stand out on the Global-K Chart, a unified K-pop chart Melon created with China's Tencent Music and Japan's Line Music. aespa topped the chart's daily, weekly and monthly rankings this year with "LEMONADE," the title track from their second studio album.

Winter said at the ceremony, "Being able to stand in such an honorable place is always thanks to MY," referring to the group's fandom name. "I will work to become an artist who repays a love we never take for granted." Karina said, "Our sixth debut anniversary is coming up soon. I think of receiving this award today as a gift, and I will share it with MY." aespa also won Global Top 10, taking home two awards on the night.

RESCENE's chart resurgence, Hearts2Hearts' triple crown in second year

Alongside BTS, RESCENE and Hearts2Hearts were among the night's biggest winners. RESCENE, which gained recognition through a chart resurgence, took Global Top 10, the special Hot Trend award and the fan-voted KakaoBank People's Star award. Hearts2Hearts, who debuted in 2025, won Top 10, Global Top 10 and Global Impact Artist — a triple crown in just their second year.

I.O.I reunited in May for the first time in about nine years to mark their 10th debut anniversary, topped Melon's Top 100 with "Suddenly" and won two awards Saturday — Top 10 and Best Music Style. The group opened their set with a video capturing members wiping each other's tears, then performed "WHATTA MAN" and "Suddenly" in succession. The performance marked the final show of their reunion project.

Im Na-young said, "Thank you to the fans who waited 10 years and showered us with unconditional love. Just as you waited for us, we will cherish this precious memory forever." Choi Yoo-jung said, "When today is over, an open-ended wait will begin — but it won't feel as uncertain as before. I will wait, holding this close. Life is a cycle. Let's stay healthy and meet again."

The Best Performance award in the male category went jointly to RIIZE and Ateez. RIIZE also won Global Top 10 and Ateez took Hot Trend, giving each group a double. Best Solo went to Choi Ye-na and Lim Young-woong. Best OST went to Kim Min-seok of Melomance for "Love Language," from the Netflix series "Can This Love Be Translated?" Best Pop Artist went to Bruno Mars, Global Impact Artist to TOURS, Global Rising Artist to Tweed, and J-pop Favorite Artist to Hana.

shee@heraldcorp.com