Lisa Wins MTV VMA Best Pop Award, Debuts Boxing-Themed Performance of New Single
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Blackpink member Lisa achieved a significant milestone at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, winning the Best Pop category for her collaboration with Kentaro Sakaguchi on the track "Dream." The accolade marked recognition of her solo career trajectory and prompted an emotional acceptance speech in which she credited her fans' support and her own determination as catalysts for her success.
Lisa also made her televised debut performance of her upcoming single "Sawadika," signalling a return to her rap-oriented sound. The live performance featured boxing-inspired visual staging and dynamic choreography, providing audiences with a preview of the artistic direction for her forthcoming EP.
- Lisa won Best Pop at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards for "Dream" featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi
- She delivered an emotional acceptance speech crediting her fans and collaborators for supporting her journey
- The artist performed her new single "Sawadika" live for the first time with boxing-themed choreography and staging
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Lisa is a member of Blackpink, a South Korean pop group that has become one of the world's biggest music acts in recent years. She has been building her own solo career whilst remaining part of the band, and the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday brought significant recognition to this independent work.
She won the Best Pop award for a collaboration with Kentaro Sakaguchi called "Dream." This matters because it represents validation of her solo career at one of the music industry's most prestigious award ceremonies, watched by millions worldwide. The award demonstrates her growing status as an artist in her own right, separate from Blackpink.
During the ceremony, Lisa performed her new single "Sawadika" on television for the first time, featuring boxing-inspired choreography and stage design. The performance signals a shift back towards her rap-focused musical style and provides a preview of the artistic direction she is pursuing with her upcoming music release.
Full account
Lisa, the Blackpink member, secured the opening award of the evening at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony held on 27 September. The Thai artist claimed the Best Pop category, accepting the accolade with visible emotion and tears streaming during her acceptance remarks. Speaking from the stage, she expressed gratitude to MTV and her collaborators, stating that her late-night aspirations had guided her to that moment, and acknowledging the crucial support of her fanbase.
The award victory caps a period of significant creative output for Lisa. She has released her debut solo album, Alter Ego, which emerged in February 2025, followed by the EP Press Play in 2026. The artist has positioned herself prominently across multiple musical registers, with recent material drawing particularly on her hip-hop credentials and demonstrating her continued evolution as a performer.
At the awards show, Lisa made a memorable impression through a live performance showcasing her newer material. The presentation incorporated substantial choreography and visual production, with staging elements referencing a boxing aesthetic. This performance represented the inaugural live rendition of one of her recent compositions, demonstrating her commitment to bringing studio recordings to the stage with elaborate conceptual frameworks.
Beyond her Best Pop victory, Lisa remains in contention for additional accolades at the 2026 ceremony, including Best K-Pop and Best Cinematography recognitions. Her previous MTV VMA success includes victories in the Best K-Pop category, establishing her as a consistent presence in the awards circuit. Looking ahead, the artist has announced forthcoming projects including a documentary release and an extended performance engagement in Las Vegas, signalling an ambitious schedule for the remainder of 2026.
The musical landscape surrounding Lisa's recent work reflects her position bridging Korean pop and international markets. Her collaborations have extended across genres, whilst her visual presentations continue to prioritise high-production cinematic approaches. The momentum surrounding her solo venture underscores the significant commercial and critical attention accompanying her transition from group member to standalone artist.
Where outlets differ
The two sources identify different winning songs: Source 1 contextualises the award within discussion of 'Sawadika' and its boxing-themed live performance, whilst Source 2 explicitly states that 'Dream' (featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi) won the Best Pop award
Source 1 lists four nomination categories (Best Pop, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best K-Pop), whilst Source 2 mentions only Best K-Pop and Best Cinematography
Source 1 specifies the Press Play EP release date as 23 October, whereas Source 2 indicates it was released during 2026 without specific timing
Source 2 provides detailed chart performance metrics for 'Dream' on Japanese charts and names additional artists in the Best Pop category (Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Taylor Swift), information absent from Source 1
Source 1 emphasises production credits and future commitments (documentary premiere, Vegas residency dates), whilst Source 2 focuses on discography breadth and previous VMA victories
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