The official nomination list for the 2026 MAMA Awards has landed, and as expected, it immediately set social media on fire. But while the global sensation BTS secured major nods across multiple high-profile categories, an unprecedented snub in two specific divisions has ignited a fierce, widespread debate among fans worldwide. Known for their legendary, synchronized stage presence and groundbreaking routines, BTS was noticeably left out of both Best Choreography and Best Dance Performance Male Group—leaving ARMY demanding immediate answers.
Sweeping Major Categories: “ARIRANG” Leads the Charge
To be clear, BTS is far from being overlooked at this year’s ceremony. The group maintains a massive presence across the general nomination board, proving their ongoing dominance in the music industry:
- Album of the Year: Nominated for their highly acclaimed full-length release, “ARIRANG.”
- Group Recognitions: In the running for Best Male Group and the fan-voted Fans’ Choice Male.
- Visuals & Vocals: Nominated for Best Music Video with “2.0” and Best Vocal Performance Group for their track “SWIM.”
Despite this impressive roster of accolades, the glaring contrast between their recognized vocal/album work and their complete absence from dance categories has left fans deeply perplexed.
The Snub That Sparked a Social Media Storm: Where Are “SWIM” and “2.0”?
The main epicenter of the fan backlash centers directly on the dance and choreography selections. ARMYs quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their utter disbelief that hit tracks like “SWIM” and “2.0” were bypassed by the voting committee.
BTS didn’t receive a nomination for MAMA best dance performance male group despite meeting all the criterias & having the chance to win it with many points.
If it’s based on stats then why? .@MnetMAMA https://t.co/KZsSrUY1kF
— 𝟕 (@urmisope) October 12, 2026
For Best Choreography, the committee selected five nominees:
- ILLIT – “IT’s Me”
- ATEEZ – “BAD”
- CORTIS – “REDRED”
- IVE – “BANG BANG”
- Yena – “Catch”
Meanwhile, the lineup for Best Dance Performance Male Group expanded to eight contenders, features both established acts and rising rookies:
- ATEEZ – “BAD”
- BIGBANG – “BiiiG”
- BOYNEXTDOOR – “Hollywood Action”
- CORTIS – “REDRED”
- RIIZE – “Do Your Dance”
- Stray Kids – “THis and That”
- TWS – “OVERDRIVE”
- ZEROBASEONE – “TOP 5”
Given that BTS’s global identity has long been anchored in complex, performance-driven choreography, being completely excluded from both lists has raised serious questions about MAMA’s evaluation criteria and selection standards this year.
Nominations for Best Choreography and Best Dance Performance without 2.0 are literally a joke omg I’m laughing so hard https://t.co/wvmFxJ2ZjO
— JIMIN DAY (@admirevjungkook) October 12, 2026
The J-Hope Twist: Adding Fuel to the Debate
Adding another intriguing layer to the ongoing discussion is the recognition of “SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope).” The hit collaboration earned nominations in both Best Collaboration and Best Dance Performance Female.
While fans are celebrating J-Hope’s individual recognition in a dance-related category, it has inadvertently highlighted a bizarre paradox: a BTS member is nominated for a dance performance award, yet the full group was entirely shut out of the male group dance category. Although these nominations belong to entirely separate evaluation pools, the distinction has only fueled additional debate among fans analyzing eligibility guidelines.
#LE_SSERAFIM received 2 nominations for “Best Collaboration” at the 2026 MAMA AWARDS 🏆:
• SPAGHETTI (feat. j-hope of BTS)
• ICONIC BY MISTAKE https://t.co/N35j2DHGQZ— LESSERAFIM CHARTS (@lpopchartmaster) October 12, 2026
Countdown to Osaka: Kyocera Dome Awaits
The 2026 MAMA Awards are set to take place across two explosive nights on November 20 and 21 at the iconic Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan.
While BTS remains a powerhouse contender for Album of the Year, Best Male Group, and Music Video of the Year, the online conversation leading up to November will undoubtedly be dominated by the dance category snubs. Whether BTS sweeps the grand prizes or not, ARMYs are making sure their voices are heard loud and clear before the lights go up in Osaka.
Source: compiled from various sources
