J-Hope has thanked BTS fans after the group collected three awards at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, celebrating a major night for the reunited K-pop group. BTS won Song of the Year and Best K-Pop for “SWIM,” as well as Best Group at the Sept. 27 ceremony in Los Angeles.
Following the ceremony, J-Hope took to Weverse to acknowledge ARMY, BTS’ global fanbase. “ARMY!! I heard the news that we won a big award. It’s all thanks to you guys, I love you,” he wrote in a message shared after the wins. He also described 2026 as a meaningful year because BTS reunited and has been able to spend time with fans again.
The three trophies gave BTS a clean sweep of the categories in which the group was nominated at this year’s VMAs. “SWIM,” the lead single from the group’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, earned both Song of the Year and Best K-Pop, while BTS took home Best Group.
The Song of the Year victory marked a first for BTS and for a K-pop group at the VMAs. The Best Group award also extended BTS’ record in the category, giving the group its fifth win after previous victories in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The awards add to a major year for BTS following the release of ARIRANG in March. The album became the group’s first full-length studio album in six years and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. “SWIM” also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 following its release.
BTS also marked its return to group activities with the ARIRANG World Tour. The tour is continuing into October, with South American dates scheduled to begin in Bogotá on Oct. 2 before stops in Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires and São Paulo.
J-Hope’s message came while the members were continuing their touring schedule rather than attending the VMAs in person. His acknowledgment followed an official statement from BIGHIT MUSIC in which BTS thanked ARMY for their continued support and said the recognition for “SWIM” was made possible by listeners who embraced the music.
For BTS, the three VMAs add another set of honors to the group’s 2026 comeback campaign, with the members now continuing their ARIRANG World Tour and promoting the group’s latest music internationally.
