Lisa to debut 'SaWaDiKa' live at 2026 MTV VMAs, sets K-pop solo nomination record with 'Dream'
Lisa debuts *SaWaDiKa* at the Sept. 27 VMAs, where her solo *Dream* shatters K-pop records with 4 nominations.
Lisa's record-breaking VMA night
Lisa takes the stage at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on September 27 in Los Angeles to perform SaWaDiKa for the first time. The track comes from her upcoming album Press Play, arriving October 23.
The performance arrives after a historic nominations sweep. Dream earned four VMA nods: Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. No K-pop solo artist has ever landed that many at the VMAs.
K-pop's wider VMA presence
Lisa's not alone in the spotlight. BTS scored dual nominations for SWIM in Best K-Pop and Song of the Year. The Best K-Pop field also includes BLACKPINK, LE SSERAFIM, Katzeyeworld, and Cortis, who picked up a second nod for Best New Artist with REDRED.
Madonna returns to the VMAs for the first time in 23 years. Shaboozey, Gunna, and RAYE round out the confirmed performer roster.
A year of global stages
The VMAs cap a run of major international moments for K-pop in 2026. Lisa opened the 2026 North/Central America World Cup alongside Anitta and Rema, performing the official anthem Goals at the tournament's opening ceremony in the United States. BTS took the World Cup final halftime show as a full group.
Coachella in April saw BIGBANG headline the Outdoor Theatre stage for their 20th anniversary. Taemin performed on the Mohave Stage. Katzeyeworld joined the Friday lineup. South America's 2026 Rock in Rio drew Stray Kids as headliners in front of roughly 130,000 people; Hwasa and NEXZ also performed.
(The VMAs air September 27 local time — Press Play follows October 23.)
Cheer the story
