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From BTS to Netflix’s hit animated series “K-Pop Demon Hunters” and the U.S.–Korea joint girl group Cats Eye, K-pop intellectual property and artists swept major categories at the 2026 American Music Awards, underscoring the genre’s growing influence.
The 2026 American Music Awards took place on the 25th (local time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony reaffirmed K-pop’s cultural foothold in the United States as BTS took home the top prize and both “K-Pop Demon Hunters” and Cats Eye claimed major honors. Fans packed the arena and erupted in cheers whenever K-pop acts were announced, a sign of the genre’s centrality in the U.S. mainstream market.
BTS walked away with three trophies: Artist of the Year—the ceremony’s highest honor—Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist. It’s their second Artist of the Year win since becoming the first Korean artist to earn the title in 2021. Critics and the press highlighted that the accolades came on the strength of ARIRANG, the album released after all members completed mandatory military service and reunited as a full group.
On stage, BTS dedicated the award first to their fandom, ARMY. Leader RM said, “ARMY did it again. We’re honored to receive this precious award after finishing our military duties and coming back together.” He added, “Because this award is decided by fans’ votes, our deepest thanks and this honor belong to all the ARMYs around the world who have stood by us for 13 years.” Jimin and V echoed the gratitude, thanking fans for following the tour and sending support to “everyone still swimming forward—keep moving forward no matter what.”
“K-Pop Demon Hunters,” nicknamed “Kedeheon,” won four awards—the most for a single IP—symbolizing K-pop’s widening reach. The project took home four trophies, including Song of the Year. Its success, which blends K-pop–driven storytelling with music, marked a rare milestone: an animated soundtrack earning a top-tier AMA award.
The U.S.–Korea joint global girl group Cats Eye also made a strong showing. Cats Eye won three awards, including New Artist of the Year and Favorite Music Video, signaling momentum for the next wave of K-pop. Formed through a global audition co-produced by HYBE and Geffen Records, the group exemplifies how the Korean idol development system can thrive when combined with North American capital and infrastructure.
In their acceptance speech, Cats Eye made a point of thanking BTS. The members said, “We especially want to thank our seniors, BTS. They inspired us to present our culture on a global stage, and thanks to them we stand here today. We will continue to express our culture with pride.” Their remarks highlighted that, even as K-pop’s production systems localize, artists’ identities and bonds remain strong.
The AMA results laid bare the industry achievements shared by K-pop artists and projects. BTS’s wins confirmed the durability of a powerful fandom; Kedeheon’s success showed that K-pop’s musical grammar can fuse with visual storytelling to create a distinct ecosystem; and Cats Eye’s breakthrough pointed to an emerging industry model that standardizes production for global markets.
After the ceremony, attention naturally turned to next year’s Grammy Awards. Many observers view BTS’s three AMA wins as a stronger springboard for another bid at a Grammy main award. Having been nominated three years running at the Grammys without securing a win, the group’s renewed challenge now carries significance beyond trophies: it could serve as a definitive capstone to their full-group comeback and a symbolic moment in dismantling the remaining barriers to K-pop’s acceptance in the Western mainstream music industry.
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