CORTIS, BTS, and TXT Shine at the 2026 KM Chart Awards

Celebrating K-Pop's Finest at the 2026 KM Chart Awards

The 2026 KM Chart Awards took center stage recently, celebrating the exceptional accomplishments in the K-pop industry over the past year. Major winners included CORTIS, who made headlines by winning their first Daesang for Record of the Year, alongside BTS's triumph with Album of the Year and Tomorrow X Together (TXT) recognized as Artist of the Year.

CORTIS Makes History

CORTIS, the new sensation in K-pop, achieved a remarkable milestone by securing the Record of the Year award at the KM Chart Awards, just months after their debut in August 2025. The group’s debut EP, COLOR OUTSIDE THE LINES, debuted impressively on the Billboard 200, reaching number 15 in September, while their second EP, GREENGREEN, soared to number three upon its release in May 2026. This latest recognition underscores their rapid ascent in a highly competitive music landscape, indicative of their strong chart performance and fan support.

Major Wins for BTS and Tomorrow X Together

BTS, celebrating their reunion following mandatory military service, took home the Album of the Year award for their much-anticipated release, ARIRANG. This marks a significant comeback for the group, who received critical acclaim for their first full album as a reunited band. Additionally, BTS was honored with a Bonsang award as part of the evening's Ultimate 12 lineup.

Meanwhile, Tomorrow X Together (TXT) had a standout evening, claiming multiple honors, including the prestigious Artist of the Year and Best Popular Song for their hit Stick With You. TXT has continued to solidify their reputation as K-pop powerhouses, with their recent mini album, 7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns, released in April 2026, showcasing their musical evolution.

HWASA's Resounding Success

MAMAMOO's HWASA celebrated a significant personal achievement, winning Song of the Year for her single Good Goodbye. This marks HWASA's first major award as a solo artist, further enhancing her status in the industry. Having debuted with MAMAMOO in 2014 and embarking on a solo career in 2019, her latest win highlights her evolution and artistic depth.

Complete Winners List from the 2026 KM Chart Awards

• Daesang Winners

  • Song of the Year: Good Goodbye — HWASA
  • Album of the Year: ARIRANG — BTS
  • Record of the Year: CORTIS
  • Artist of the Year: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

• Fans' Choice Awards

  • Best Popular Song: Stick With You — TOMORROW X TOGETHER
  • Best Popular Solo Male: YEONJUN
  • Best Popular Solo Female: WINTER
  • Best Popular Male Group: TOMORROW X TOGETHER
  • Best Popular Female Group: UNIS
  • Best Popular Trot: YoungTak
  • Global Rising Star: LNGSHOT
  • KM Next Potential: NEWBEAT and VVUP

• New Artist

  • LNGSHOT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE

• Special Awards

  • KM Favorite Icon: 82MAJOR, UNIS
  • KM Band Icon: Hi-Fi Un!corn
  • Best Female Group: Hearts2Hearts
  • Best Male Group: P1Harmony

• Ultimate 12 (Bonsang) Winners

  • ZEROBASEONE, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, BTS, HWASA, CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts, NCT WISH, RIIZE, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, ALLDAY PROJECT, KickFlip, P1Harmony

This year’s KM Chart Awards provided a platform for honoring the most significant talents and popular acts in the K-pop industry, showcasing a vibrant future for the genre as it continues to capture international audiences.