LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 25: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Jungkook, V, Jin, RM, Suga, Jimin and J-Hope of BTS speak onstage during the 52nd American Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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BTS just scored their first win at the American Music Award at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas with Song of the Summer for their lead track, “SWIM,” from their fifth studio album, ARIRANG.
BTS beats out Alex Warren’s “FEVER DREAM,” Bella Kay’s “iloveitiloveitiloveit,” Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Harry Styles’ “American Girls,” Noah Kahan’s “The Great Divide,” PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s “Stateside,” SOMBR’s “Homewrecker, Tame Impala and JENNIE’s “Dracula,” and Taylor Swift’s “Elizabeth Taylor.” This is the first award of its category this year.
BTS are also up for Best Male K-Pop Artist Award and Artist of the Year, which their previously won in 2021.
BTS members RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook were all in attendance to receive the award, as they just completed the second of their four-night sold-out concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
During their speech, RM told the cheering audience, “First and foremost, big shout out to ARMY. Thank you so much for giving all the love for ‘SWIM.’ When we made this, we had a lot of pressure, and were trying to figure out what kind of music felt the most like us right now. The only thing we believed then was that we have to keep challenging and keep moving forward.”
V added, “To just keep swimming.”
The American Music Awards have a long history with the global superstars. In 2018, BTS received their first American Music Award for Top Social Artist. Over the years, the group has won 10 more awards, including Tour of the Year, Favorite Pop Duo or Group, Favorite K-pop Artist, and Favorite Pop Song. The group has the most consecutive wins in the Favorite Pop Duo or Group category from 2019 to 2022.
The group had their comeback in March, after completing their mandatory South Korean military service last June, with their fifth studio album ARIRANG. The group released “SWIM” as their lead track.
Produced by Tyler Spry and Leclair, and written by James Essien, Sean Foreman, Tyler Spry, Jamison Baken, Ryan Tedder, RM, Kirsten Allyssa Spencer, Derrick Milano, Pdogg, RM took the lead with the lyrics. The song reflected BTS’s journey, growth, and where they’re heading in this new era. “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their 7th No. 1 on the chart. It also remained No. 1 for multiple weeks on the Billboard Global Charts.
During the comeback, the group also released a documentary, and announced a World Tour featuring 82 shows across 34 cities worldwide. The sold-out tour began on April 9 in Goyang, South Korea.
ARIRANG debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Album Sales charts, spending three consecutive weeks at the top.
BTS continues their two Las Vegas concerts at Allegiant Stadium on Wednesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 28, before returning to South Korea to prepare for their Busan concerts. After that, the group will travel for their UK/European leg of their World Tour ARIRANG, and then make a stop in July for the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show in New Jersey before their U.S. concerts.