‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Makes History: ‘Golden’ Wins Song of the Year at the 2026 AMAs
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” won the song of the year at the 2026 American Music Awards. They won over nine other songs in stiff competition. Winning Song of the Year at the American Music Awards is good for “K-Pop Demon Hunters” because it further proves their exceptional crossover appeal.
The group HUNTR/X that won the award, became the first K-Pop group to ever win at the American Music Awards. They defeated some stiff competition in winning the award, one of the first of the evening.
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” Wins Song of the Year
“Golden,” performed by the all-girl group HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), was the first K-Pop song ever to win an American Music Award for Song of the Year. This is unusual considering the breakaway success of the band. The win follows its earlier wins at the 2026 Oscars, where it also won Best Original Song and the film’s Best Animated Feature. There is autocorrelation in award-winning. They defeated some significant competition.
The other nominees for the Song of the Year included:
- Alex Warren – “Ordinary,”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas,”
- Kehlani – “Folded,”
- Leon Thomas – “MUTT,”
- Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem,”
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need,”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild,”
- SOMBR – “back to friends,”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia.”
AMA Performances
This was one of the first awards that was presented. It came after two live performances, one from BTS and one from Hootie and the Blowfish. Both performances were noteworthy. It was the K-Pop group’s first appearance since its members took a break in 2022 to pursue solo projects and fulfill mandatory South Korean military service. They were nominated for Artist of the Year (they won in 2021), Song of the Summer for “Swim,” and Best Male K-Pop Artist. BTS previously won Favorite K-Pop Artist at the AMAs in 2022.
There was another throwback performance beforehand. Another oldie, but goodie, who performed at the American Music Awards was Darius Rucker, who achieved fame with Hootie and the Blowfish in the 1990s. Rucker received the Veterans Voice Award, presented through USAA’s Honor Through Action, recognizing his years of advocacy and support for veterans and service members. This is a fitting tribute on Memorial Day.
Royalty
The American Music Awards were hosted by Queen Latifah. The 52nd American Music Awards from Las Vegas were hosted live at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It was a fan vote, which is interesting. This fact probably held back some performers, who were not that popular with fans. She kept harkening back to past awards she had given. Since the evening featured a throwback song category and performances by both Billy Idol, who had never performed at the AMAs, and Darius Rucker and Hootie and the Blowfish, her hosting was a nice touch.
Conclusion
The Song of the Year was the first big award presented at the American Music Awards. Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo presented the award. The ceremony was tastefully done, with a nod to veterans on this Memorial Day. In fact, one of the 64 living Medal of Honor winners was in attendance at the awards, which were broadcast on CBS.
