At the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, BTS continued to make headlines by sweeping all three of their nominated categories, winning Song of the Year for "SWIM" off their album *Arirang*, Best K-Pop, and Best Group. Their Song of the Year win is historic as they became the first Asian group to claim this top honor, following Rosé from Blackpink who won last year alongside Bruno Mars. The triumph of "SWIM" marks a milestone after their initial Song of the Year nomination back in 2021.

BTS added to their impressive VMA legacy by securing their fifth Best Group trophy, extending a winning streak from 2019 to 2026 with this latest victory. In the Best K-Pop category, BTS clinched their fourth award, surpassing former co-leader LISA to establish sole ownership of that record. This comeback success follows the group’s hiatus starting in late 2022 due to military service, with their return marked by the release of *Arirang* in March 2026.

Despite these significant wins, the awards for BTS were not broadcast as part of the live telecast on CBS and MTV. Instead, their honors were handed out among 17 categories that were excluded from the main show, reflecting a shift in how some VMAs categories are presented. Alongside BTS, several high-profile nominees, including Ariana Grande and KATSEYE, were absent from the live ceremony, which featured only six awards on stage.

This arrangement continues a recent trend where many awards are announced off-air, often on social media after the ceremony concludes. BTS maintained their longstanding VMA practice of not attending the event, adhering to their non-appearance tradition. Their off-screen victories, while not televised, nonetheless underscore BTS’s strong global influence and enduring hold on the music industry’s prestigious moments.