BTS Makes Spectacular Return at 'AMA Awards' After 5 Years: "Thank You, ARMY and Bang Si-hyeok" [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Top idol group BTS (RM, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, V, Jungkook) made a comeback after five years and won the top prize at the American Music Awards (AMA), one of the three major music award ceremonies in the United States.

On the 25th at 5 p.m. local time, BTS won the "Artist of the Year" award, which corresponds to the top prize, at the 2026 American Music Awards (hereinafter "AMA") held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in the United States.

Leader RM said in his acceptance speech, "I want to express my gratitude to all ARMYs. While preparing 'SWIM,' I felt a lot of pressure and even wondered what song to come back with. However, I was certain that we must keep pushing forward," and added, "I am also grateful to Chairman Bang Si-hyeok."

This marks BTS's first direct participation in the "AMA" since 2021, about five years later. At this year's "AMA," BTS aimed for their second overall top prize win, following their 2021 victory. BTS secured a spot in the top prize category, "Artist of the Year," competing against nine global pop stars including Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga.

In addition, BTS was nominated in three categories: "Best Male K-Pop Artist," "Song of the Summer," and "Artist of the Year." With "SWIM," they won the "Song of the Summer" title and also took home the "Best Male K-Pop Artist" award, achieving the feat of a triple crown.

The nominations were selected based on Billboard and Luminate data from March 21, 2025, to March 26, 2026, by comprehensively evaluating key fan activity indicators such as streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, and tour revenue.

BTS has previously won a total of 12 trophies at the "AMA," both as a group and as soloists. They first won the "Favorite Social Artist" award in 2018 and dominated this category for three consecutive years until 2020. In 2019, they won "Tour of the the Year," demonstrating their powerful influence in the live performance industry. Starting with "Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock" in the same year, they remained at the top of the pop duo/group category for four consecutive years until 2022, leaving their name as the record holder for the most wins in this category among Choi Da (수상) artists. In 2021, they swept the "Artist of the Year," "Favorite Duo or Group," and "Favorite Pop Song" awards to achieve a triple crown. In 2022, they became the inaugural winners of the newly established "Favorite K-Pop Artist" category. Later, RM won the trophy in the same category in 2025.

Meanwhile, at this year's awards ceremony, in addition to BTS, Jennie, Stray Kids, aespa, ATEEZ, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, and Cat's Eye were nominated for major "AMA" categories, further raising expectations.

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*This content was translated by AI.