MMA2026 — Nominees Revealed Across 12 Categories Featuring BTS to IVE

Melon has officially announced the nominees for the 18th Melon Music Awards (MMA2026), set to take place on November 14–15 at the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome with KakaoBank as the title sponsor. Voting for the awards will remain open through November 13.

The voting covers 12 distinct categories, including MMA2026 KakaoBank Album of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Song of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Global TOP10, Best Solo (Female/Male), Best Group (Female/Male), Best OST, Best Pop Artist, and Track Zero Choice. Winners will be determined by combining digital music scores, judges’ evaluations, and fan votes.

Top Contenders for Major Awards

The nominees for the major categories—Artist of the Year, KakaoBank Album of the Year, and Best Song of the Year—feature a star-studded lineup including BTS, AKMU, I.O.I, IVE, ILLIT, KiiiKiii, and CORTIS. BTS made waves with ‘SWIM’ from their 5th album ‘ARIRANG,’ while AKMU generated massive buzz with ‘Joy, Sorrow, Beautiful Mind’ and ‘Rumor Paradise.’ I.O.I (‘Suddenly’), IVE (‘BANG BANG’), and ILLIT (‘It’s Me’) also showcased their powerful music chart dominance.

Additional major award contenders include aespa (‘LEMONADE’), YENA (‘Catch Catch’), Hearts2Hearts (‘RUDE!’), alongside PLAVE, NCT WISH, and ALLDAY PROJECT.

New Artists and Global TOP10 Battle

Five promising rookie groups are competing for the once-in-a-lifetime New Artist of the Year trophy: SYSTEM SEOUL, Hades (‘MEGA PIECE HARMONY’), Alpha Drive One (‘EUPHORIA’), LNGSHOT, and Tuide (‘TUNE & PLAY’).

The Global TOP10 voting is taking place via Melon domestically and the international fan platform Berriz. Thirty teams have been nominated, including BIGBANG, IU, G-DRAGON, EXO, BTS, SEVENTEEN, TWICE, BLACKPINK, NCT DREAM, Stray Kids, (G)I-DLE, Jennie, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, aespa, ENHYPEN, ROSÉ, IVE, YENA, NMIXX, LE SSERAFIM, NewJeans, BOYNEXTDOOR, RIIZE, BABYMONSTER, TWS, NCT WISH, ILLIT, RESCENE, Hearts2Hearts, and CORTIS. Notably, 15 of these teams are also nominated in the regular TOP10 category, putting them in the running for double wins.

Global Broadcast and Event Details

With a diverse lineup spanning various genres in the group, solo, OST, and Track Zero Choice categories, MMA2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of music. For the first time in its history, the event will be held over two consecutive days under the core slogan ‘K-POP CONNECT: The New Pulse,’ broadcasting live to fans worldwide.