BTS have etched their names deeper into music history by becoming the first Asian act to claim the Artist of the Year title twice at the American Music Awards. The septet received the prestigious honour at the 2026 ceremony held in Las Vegas on May 25, reaffirming their enduring dominance in global pop music following a successful comeback.
The group made a highly anticipated return to the industry in mid-2025 after completing a four-year mandatory military hiatus. Their reunion generated massive excitement among fans worldwide, with rapid concert ticket sales, widespread speculation about new material, and renewed energy from their devoted ARMY fandom. In March 2026, BTS officially marked their comeback with the album ARIRANG, whose showcase was streamed live on Netflix across more than 190 countries a first for any K-pop group.
Just three months after this landmark release, the band delivered another major achievement at the AMAs. This victory marks their second Artist of the Year win, following their first triumph in November 2021. During acceptance speeches, the members expressed deep appreciation for their supporters.
“ARMYs, we made it once again! Thank you, it’s an honour to have this prestigious award after everybody returned from their military service… our biggest thanks and gratitude as always goes to the ARMYs all over the world,” said leader RM.
J-Hope highlighted the positive response to the new album, while Jimin thanked fans for their support during tours. V, accepting the Song of the Summer award for the lead single Swim, delivered an encouraging message: “To everyone out there who keeps swimming no matter what, we send our love as well, so keep swimming.”
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BTS had paused group activities in June 2022 to fulfil military service obligations. Their 2026 return and immediate success at one of the music industry’s most respected awards shows underscore their continued global appeal. They remain the only Asian act to have won Artist of the Year at the AMAs.
In addition to receiving honours, BTS presented the Best Female R&B Artist award to SZA and performed Hooligan, a standout track from ARIRANG.
This latest recognition highlights the group’s ability to maintain strong fan connections and cultural impact even during periods of absence, solidifying their position as trailblazers in K-pop and international music.
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