The 2026 KM Chart Awards (KMA) wrapped up on July 25 in Seoul, recognizing some of the year’s most popular artists across a wide range of fan-voted and performance-based categories. The ceremony celebrated achievements in K-pop, highlighting established acts, rising rookies, and standout solo performers.
One of the night’s major highlights was the announcement of the Ultimate 12, an honor recognizing twelve artists who made a significant impact on the music scene over the past year. This year’s recipients were BTS, Hwasa, TXT, P1Harmony, ZEROBASEONE, RIIZE, NCT WISH, KickFlip, Hearts2Hearts, ALLDAY PROJECT, CORTIS, and ALPHA DRIVE ONE.
Full Winners List
Artist of the Year: TXT
Album of the Year: BTS (“ARIRANG”)
Song of the Year: MAMAMOO’s Hwasa (“Good Goodbye”)
Record of the Year: CORTIS (“GREENGREEN”)
Ultimate 12: BTS, Hwasa, TXT, P1Harmony, ZEROBASEONE, RIIZE, NCT WISH, KickFlip, Hearts2Hearts, ALLDAY PROJECT, CORTIS, ALPHA DRIVE ONE
Best Male Group: P1Harmony
Best Female Group: Hearts2Hearts
New Artist Award: LNGSHOT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE
Best Popular Male Group: TXT
Best Popular Female Group: UNIS
Best Popular Solo Male: TXT’s Yeonjun
Best Popular Solo Female: aespa’s winter
Best Popular Trot Award: Young Tak
KM Favorite Icon: UNIS, 82MAJOR
KM Next Potential: NEWBEAT, VVUP
KM Band Icon: Hi-Fi Un!corn
KM Spotlight: MODYSSEY
Global Rising Star: LNGSHOT
Photo Credits:TXT. BIGHIT MUSIC (HYBE)
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