K-pop wins big at 2026 AMAs in historic night

From left, Jungkook, Jin, Jimin, RM, J-Hope, V and Suga of K-pop act BTS accept Artist of the Year award during the 52nd American Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas, Nev., Monday. AFP-Yonhap

K-pop made history at the 52nd American Music Awards (AMAs) on Monday (local time), with acts tied to the genre taking some of the night's biggest prizes at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

K-pop juggernaut BTS took home Artist of the Year, beating out a star-studded field that included Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen and Sabrina Carpenter. It marked the group's second Artist of the Year win at the AMAs, having previously claimed the honor in 2021, and its first in-person appearance at the ceremony in five years.

The group kicked off the night with a pre-taped performance of "Hooligan" from its latest album "ARIRANG," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 641,000 equivalent album units sold in March.

The seven-member group also claimed Song of the Summer award for "SWIM" and Best Male K-Pop Artist.

RM delivered the acceptance speech for Song of the Summer, saying, "When we made this album, we had a lot of pressure and we tried to figure out what kind of music felt the most like us right now. We have to keep challenging ourselves and keep moving forward." V closed out the speech with, "Keep swimming."

Girl group KATSEYE performs its latest single "PINKY UP" on stage during the American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Monday. AFP-Yonhap

KATSEYE from K-pop label HYBE and Geffen Records were another dominant force, sweeping all three of its nominated categories. The global girl group took home New Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Pop Artist and Best Music Video for "Gnarly."

In their acceptance speech, KATSEYE's Sophia thanked HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk and Geffen Records CEO John Janick before adding, "We want to give a special shout-out to BTS tonight for inspiring us to represent our culture at a global scale."

TWICE, meanwhile, claimed Best Female K-Pop Artist, adding yet another AMA trophy to the girl group's global haul.

Rounding out the K-pop sweep was "Golden," the hit soundtrack from Netflix's animated film "K Demon Hunters," performed by HUNTRIX, composed of real-life singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. The trio claimed Song of the Year, Best Pop Song and Best Vocal Performance, capping a historic awards season that also included wins at the Grammys, Golden Globes and Academy Awards.

The "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack won Best Soundtrack.

Singers EJAE, left, and Rei Ami, winners of the Song of the Year, Best Pop Song and Best Vocal Performance awards for "Golden," pose in the press room during the American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Monday. AFP-Yonhap

Launched in 1974, the AMAs are one of the most renowned music awards in the United States and commercial performance is a key criterion in nominee selections.

American singer-songwriter sombr had one of the best nights, winning Best Rock/Alternative Song for "Back to Friends," Best Rock/Alternative Album for "I Barely Know Her" and Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist.

The Black Eyed Peas won Best Throwback Song for "Rock That Body," with Fergie joining will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo onstage. Karol G won Best Latin Album for "Tropicoqueta" and received the International Artist Award of Excellence, presented by John Legend, while Shakira's "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour" claimed Tour of the Year. SZA won Best Female R&B Artist and Leon Thomas took Breakthrough R&B Artist.

Taylor Swift, who had eight nominations going into the event, did not win any televised awards and was not present at the venue.

Billy Idol was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, closing the show with a medley of his hits, while Queen Latifah hosted the ceremony, returning to the AMAs stage for the first time in 30 years.

Queen Latifah speaks on stage during the 2026 American Music Awards, in Las Vegas, Nev., Monday. Reuters-Yonhap