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K-pop makes history by dominating 2026 American Music Awards
BTS won the top prize and three K-pop categories as the fan-voted show spread major honors across the genre.
On Monday, South Korean band BTS won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, marking their first major awards appearance in four years after completing military service.
The seven-member band took a hiatus in 2022 while completing South Korea's mandatory military service, returning this year with their new album 'Arirang' before claiming the top prize.
BTS won all three nominated categories, including Best Male K-pop Artist and Song of the Summer for 'SWIM,' defeating Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Harry Styles, and Lady Gaga for the top award.
Taylor Swift, entering with eight nominations and 40 career AMA wins, walked away empty-handed and did not attend the ceremony broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.
BTS's historic double Artist of the Year win reflects K-Pop's expanded presence at the AMAs, which now covers hip-hop, Latin, rock/alternative, K-Pop, and Afrobeats—far broader than the three genres featured when the ceremony began in 1974.
South Korean boy band BTS won three categories at the American Music Awards, including their second consecutive win as artist of the year. Taylor Swift, who received the most nominations, did not win any of the awards.