K-pop had a strong showing at the 2026 American Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 25, with KATSEYE and a major collaborative single both taking home multiple awards.

KATSEYE made a statement in their American Music Awards debut, winning three awards for the night. The girl group claimed the New Artist of the Year award, marking a significant achievement for the group on the U.S. awards stage. They also performed their latest single "Pinky Up" during the ceremony, giving the audience a chance to see them in action.

Meanwhile, "Golden"—a standout collaborative track featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami (the singing voices behind HUNTR/X)—took home Song of the Year. The trio accepted the award in front of the audience, capping off what appears to be a breakthrough moment for the project.

The dual wins reflect growing recognition of K-pop and Korean artists within the American music industry. KATSEYE's New Artist of the Year award is particularly noteworthy given the group's relatively recent entry into the U.S. market, while "Golden" competing at the level of Song of the Year demonstrates how collaborative projects between Korean and American artists continue to gain traction at major award shows.

Both wins point to a year of momentum for these acts, with KATSEYE clearly establishing themselves as artists to watch in the American market while HUNTR/X's collaborative work is reaching wider audiences through major platform recognition.