BTS once again proved their unmatched global influence after making history at the 2026 American Music Awards. The group took home the prestigious “Artist of the Year” trophy, becoming the first and only Asian act ever to win the ceremony’s top award multiple times.
Held in Las Vegas, the 2026 AMAs gathered some of the biggest names in global music. Despite fierce competition against artists including Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, and Kendrick Lamar, BTS emerged victorious in the fan-voted category.
This marks the group’s second “Artist of the Year” win following their groundbreaking victory in 2021, when they first became the first Asian artist to claim the award.
The historic achievement did not stop there. BTS also secured “Favorite K-Pop Male Group” and won “Song of the Summer” with SWIM , a track from their latest studio album ARIRANG . The group’s highly anticipated return following military service has quickly reignited global excitement, placing them back at the center of the international music industry.
During their acceptance speech, leader RM expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans around the world.
“It’s such an honor to receive this award again after all seven of us completed military service. Our biggest thanks always go to ARMY for standing beside us throughout the past 13 years,” RM shared emotionally.
J-Hope also revealed how touched the members were by the overwhelming support for their new album, while Jin, Jimin, and Jungkook repeatedly thanked ARMY for helping the group reach unprecedented heights worldwide.
The latest victory further extends BTS ’ extraordinary legacy in the United States music market. Since first winning “Favorite Social Artist” at the AMAs in 2018, the group has consistently broken barriers and collected major honors including “Favorite Pop Duo or Group,” “Favorite K-Pop Artist,” and “Tour of the Year.”
Notably, BTS previously dominated the “Favorite Pop Duo or Group” category with four consecutive wins from 2019 to 2022 — an unprecedented feat for an Asian act at the American Music Awards.
Their 2026 comeback is also being hailed as one of the largest returns in K-pop history. Following the completion of military duties last year, the group returned with their new album ARIRANG , a documentary project, and a massive 82-show world tour spanning 34 cities.
The album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Album Sales charts, maintaining its strong performance for multiple consecutive weeks.
Currently, BTS continues their sold-out concerts in Las Vegas before returning to South Korea for upcoming performances in Busan. The group is also scheduled to continue touring across Europe and reportedly prepare for a special halftime performance during the FIFA World Cup in the United States.
After more than a decade in the industry, BTS has evolved far beyond the image of a successful K-pop group. Their repeated triumphs at America’s biggest music award ceremonies solidify their status as a true global phenomenon — one that continues reshaping how the world views Korean music and Asian artists overall.
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