BLACKPINK’s Lisa has made history at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards by winning Best Pop for her solo single “Dream”, featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. The victory makes her the first Asian and K-pop solo artist to receive the award in the category.

Lisa accepted the Moon Person at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27. The win also marked her fourth MTV VMA victory as a solo artist, adding another major achievement to her growing global career.

Lisa Wins Best Pop For Dream At 2026 VMAs

“Dream” earned Lisa the Best Pop trophy after competing against several major international pop releases. The song, featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi, became the release that delivered her latest VMA milestone. Lisa was nominated in 4 categories at this year’s ceremony, including Best Pop, Best K-pop, Best Cinematography and Best Editing.

Her Best Pop victory places her among the artists who have received recognition in one of the VMAs’ major genre categories. The award also follows Lisa’s previous solo VMA wins in Best K-pop, which she received in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Lisa Becomes First Asian Solo Artist To Win Best Pop

Lisa’s victory carries particular significance for Asian solo artists. BTS previously won the Best Pop category in 2020, but Lisa is the first Asian solo artist to take home the award. During her acceptance speech, Lisa became emotional while thanking the organisers, the people who helped create “Dream” and her fans, known as Lilies.

She also reflected on the dreams that brought her to the stage and credited her supporters for helping her reach the moment. The achievement comes as K-pop continues to maintain a prominent presence at one of the biggest annual American music awards shows.

Also Read: BTS Takes Three MTV VMA Awards as SWIM Wins Song of the Year

Lisa Performs SaWaDiKa At The MTV VMAs

Lisa also took the stage at the 2026 VMAs for her first televised performance of “SaWaDiKa”, her latest solo single. The performance introduced the track to a large international television audience as she continued promoting her upcoming music.

“SaWaDiKa” was released in September as the first single from Lisa’s upcoming PRESS PLAY EP. The song draws from Thai cultural influences, with its title referencing the Thai greeting “sawatdee ka”. The VMA performance therefore connected Lisa’s current solo music era with her Thai identity while showcasing the sound of her latest release.

Lisa Continues Her Solo Career With PRESS PLAY

Lisa’s Best Pop win arrives during a busy period in her solo career. Her upcoming PRESS PLAY EP is scheduled for release on October 23, 2026, and is set to feature 6 tracks. She is also preparing for the theatrical release of her documentary Always LALISA, which is scheduled to arrive in cinemas and IMAX on October 12. The film follows her journey through her solo music career, acting work and major performances. With another VMA in her collection, Lisa continues expanding her solo activities alongside BLACKPINK’s group career.

Final Take

Lisa has made history at the 2026 MTV VMAs by becoming the first Asian and K-pop solo artist to win Best Pop. Her victory for “Dream” combined with her “SaWaDiKa” performance, adds another major milestone to her solo career.

Also Read: ATEEZ's San Addresses Dating Rumors Involving Brand Official