BTS, CORTIS, LE SSERAFIM, and LISA Earn 2026 MTV VMA Nominations

The nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced, with several K-pop artists represented across the ceremony’s major and genre categories. BTS received two nominations for their song ‘SWIM’. The track is nominated for Song of the Year, one of the night’s main awards, as well as Best K-Pop. CORTIS earned their first MTV VMA nominations with two nods. The group is competing for Best New Artist, while their song ‘REDRED’ is nominated for Best K-Pop. This year’s Best K-Pop category includes BLACKPINK’s ‘JUMP’, BTS’s ‘SWIM’, CORTIS’s ‘REDRED’, KATSEYE’s ‘PINKY UP’, LE SSERAFIM featuring j-hope of BTS with ‘SPAGHETTI’, and LISA’s ‘Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi’. LISA received four nominations overall, making her one of the most-nominated K-pop artists at this year’s ceremony. Her nominations include Best K-Pop for ‘Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi’. The nominations also mark a significant step for CORTIS. Less than two years after their debut, they have entered both the genre-focused Best K-Pop category and the broader Best New Artist race. Fan voting opened on August 18th across 13 categories and will close on September 25th at 6 PM ET. Voting for Best New Artist will remain open during the awards show. The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27th. The ceremony will air live on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and stream through Paramount+ in the United States.