Leading entertainment company CJ ENM today announced the first round of performing artists for 2026 MAMA AWARDS. Following the reveal of this year’s nominations, the lineup builds further anticipation for the world’s No.1 K-POP Awards, taking place November 20-21 at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Osaka, and streaming live worldwide via global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus.
2026 MAMA AWARDS will be held under the concept of “A MUSIC INTERSTELLAR.” The concept follows a journey through a music universe beyond time and space, where audiences can discover the power of music in their own way. The world’s No.1 K-POP Awards aims to offer an iconic experience of finding one’s own star, while connecting artists and global fans beyond time and space.
First Wave of Performing Artists
2026 MAMA AWARDS will bring together some of the biggest names in K-pop who have led this year’s global trends. The first confirmed performers are listed below in alphabetical order, with more to be announced.
2026 MAMA AWARDS CHAPTER 1 (November 20)
- ALPHA DRIVE ONE
- BABY MONSTER
- ENHYPEN
- ILLIT
- INI
- NCT WISH
- RESCENE
2026 MAMA AWARDS CHAPTER 2 (November 21)
- CORTIS
- KiiKii
- LE SSERAFIM
- NAYEON (TWICE)
- ZEROBASEONE
2026 MAMA AWARDS Nominations
2026 MAMA AWARDS nominations were announced on October 12 KST and fan voting also officially opened on the same day, with the FANS’ CHOICE 1st VOTE running through October 22 (KST) to select finalists for the FANS’ CHOICE MALE and FANS’ CHOICE FEMALE categories. FANS’ CHOICE 2nd VOTE will open on October 28 (KST). Fans can vote on global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus and X. Every year, the MAMA AWARDS has continuously reflected global K-pop trends and the voices of fans.
The album/song eligibility period runs from October 1 2025 throughout September 30 2026. The albums, songs and artists are assessed based on a holistic evaluation of global music sales and streaming data and a panel of music industry experts from Korea and abroad.
The complete list for ARTIST OF THE YEAR with VISA, SONG OF THE YEAR with VISA, ALBUM OF THE YEAR with VISA, FANS’ CHOICE OF THE YEAR with VISA, and FANS’ CHOICE MALE / FANS’ CHOICE FEMALE is available on Mnet Plus. This year also introduces BEST SONG TOP 10, a new category recognizing the year’s top 10 songs based on their performances on Korean and global music charts.
See the nominations list for this year’s categories below (in alphabetical order):
BEST NEW ARTIST
ALPHA DRIVE ONE
AND2BLE
EVAN
H//PE Princess
hrtz.wav
LNGSHOT
MODYSSEY
OURBIRTHDAY
TUIDE
UNCHILD
BEST MALE ARTIST
D.O.
TAEYANG
TAEYONG
YEONJUN
Young K
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
HWASA
IRENE
SOYEON
TAEYEON
YENA
BEST MALE GROUP
ATEEZ
BIGBANG
BTS
CORTIS
ENHYPEN
NCT WISH
Stray Kids
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
BEST FEMALE GROUP
aespa
BABYMONSTER
BLACKPINK
Hearts2Hearts
ILLIT
IVE
LE SSERAFIM
NMIXX
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE SOLO
ONEW - TOUGH LOVE
TAEMIN - FLOAT
TAEYANG - LIVE FAST DIE SLOW
TAEYONG - WYLD
YEONJUN - Ice Cream
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE FEMALE SOLO
BIBI - BUMPA
DAYOUNG - What's a girl to do
SOYEON - I'm gonna TOESA (Narr. KIAN84)
YENA - Catch Catch
YUNA - Ice Cream
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE GROUP
ATEEZ - BAD
BIGBANG - BiiiG
BOYNEXTDOOR - Hollywood Action
CORTIS - REDRED
RIIZE - Do your dance
Stray Kids - This & That
TWS - OVERDRIVE
ZEROBASEONE - TOP 5
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE FEMALE GROUP
aespa - LEMONADE
Hearts2Hearts - RUDE!
ILLIT - It's Me
I.O.I - Suddenly
IVE - BANG BANG
KiiiKiii - 404 (New Era)
LE SSERAFIM - SPAGHETTI (Feat. j-hope of BTS)
NMIXX - Blue Valentine
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE SOLO
HWASA - Good Goodbye
IU - Unknown Planet
JENNIE - Less than a Lover
Roy Kim - No Words Can Say
WOODZ - CINEMA
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE GROUP
AKMU - Paradise of Rumors
BTS - SWIM
DAVICHI - TIME CAPSULE
DxS - Blue
MAMAMOO - 4 Flowers
BEST BAND PERFORMANCE
JANNABI - Just Kids
LUCY - All Ages
QWER - CEREMONY
Silica Gel - BIG VOID
Xdinary Heroes - Voyager
BEST RAP & HIP HOP PERFORMANCE
BIG Naughty - Nostalgia
HAON - Yarrr
NOWIMYOUNG - KOLOK COLOK
TREASURE - IF I
ZICO, Lilas - DUET
BEST COLLABORATION
aespa - WDA (Whole Different Animal) (Feat. G-DRAGON)
DAYOUNG X Jay Park - FLIRTY
LE SSERAFIM - SPAGHETTI (Feat. j-hope of BTS)
LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, KATSEYE - ICONIC BY MISTAKE
Parc Jae Jung & SULLYOON - Always
BEST OST
Kim Min Seok (MeloMance) - Love Language (Can This Love Be Translated? OST)
MigakBoys - My Flavor (The Legend of Kitchen Soldier OST)
Sung Si Kyung - Anytime anyhow (Surely Tomorrow OST)
Suzy - A Day (EXchange4 OST)
Young K - Season of Us (My Royal Nemesis OST)
BEST MUSIC VIDEO with YouTube
BIGBANG - BiiiG
BTS - 2.0
HWASA - Good Goodbye
i-dle - Mono (Feat. skaiwater)
MEOVV - DDI RO RI
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
ATEEZ - BAD
CORTIS - REDRED
ILLIT - It's Me
IVE - BANG BANG
YENA - Catch Catch
Returning as title sponsor, Visa presents 2026 MAMA AWARDS, taking place over two days on November 20-21, at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Osaka, Japan and streaming live worldwide via Mnet Plus. Visa will also serve as the title sponsor of the newly launched MAMA FAN FESTA.
This year, MAMA AWARDS will present a wide range of new on-site and online events, reflecting its commitment to delivering a truly borderless experience and uniting fans around the world beyond the stage. An extension of the award ceremony, MAMA FAN FESTA will take place for the first time, running from November 9th to 21st offline, across the city of Osaka and online, on Mnet Plus. Pairing the awards ceremony with new on- and offline programs and special collaborations, fans will be able to enjoy and experience MAMA AWARDS in their own way. MAMA FAN FESTA will transform MAMA AWARDS into a full-scale global celebration created together with fans.
