BTS, Blackpink, and 8 K-pop Acts Nominated for 2026 AMAs

BTS is in contention for Artist of the Year at the 52nd American Music Awards. The group is the only K-pop act nominated in that top category.

Artist of the Year field

The Artist of the Year list includes global stars across genres. Nominees named alongside BTS are Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift.

If BTS secures the trophy, they would become the only Asian artist to win the honor twice. The septet previously earned the Artist of the Year title in 2021.

K-pop nominations and key tracks

BTS also appears in the Best Male K-pop Artist category. Their lead single “Swim” is up for Song of the Summer.

Blackpink has a presence as well. Jennie’s collaboration with Tame Impala, “Dracula,” is nominated for Song of the Summer.

Group nominees in K-pop categories

The AMAs divided K-pop into male and female artist categories. Ten groups were listed among the nominees.

• Male nominees: Ateez, BTS, Enhypen, Stray Kids and Tomorrow X Together.
• Female nominees: Blackpink, ILLIT, Le Sserafim and Twice.

HYBE represents BTS and also backs Katseye. Katseye’s 2025 single “Gnarly” earned three nominations.

• Katseye nominations: Breakthrough Pop Artist, New Artist of the Year and Best Music Video for “Gnarly” (2025).

No solo K-pop performer received nominations in the Best Male Pop Artist and Best Female Pop Artist categories.

Film and soundtrack contenders

Netflix’s animated movie KPop Demon Hunters (2025) received a nomination for Best Soundtrack. The film’s hit song “Golden” (2025) is nominated in multiple music categories.

• “Golden” performers: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami.
• Nominations for “Golden”: Song of the Year, Best Pop Song and Best Vocal Performance.

For Song of the Year, “Golden” competes with Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need” (2025), Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” (2025), Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” (2025) and Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” (2025).

Voting and show details

The AMAs are a fully fan-voted awards show presented by CBS. Voting opened on the day nominations were revealed.

Voting will close on May 8. The ceremony is scheduled for May 25.

Filmogaz.com coverage highlighted BTS and Blackpink amid broader K-pop attention. The report referenced 8 K-pop Acts Nominated for 2026 AMAs in its summary of nominees and categories.