BLACKPINK star LISA has won Best Pop at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, beating Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Tate McRae in a category packed with some of pop's biggest names. LISA won for 'Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi' at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, 27 September.
While LISA's victory marked another major milestone in her solo career, the result left some viewers online questioning the outcome. Comments shared on Reddit included users asking 'Who is she?' and saying they were unfamiliar with the winning song, while others questioned how LISA's track had prevailed over songs by more established names in the US pop market.
LISA Wins Best Pop at the VMAs
LISA became the winner of the Best Pop category for 'Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi', which was released through Lloud Co. and RCA Records. The official VMA results confirm her victory, while Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia' was among the nominees.
The BLACKPINK star appeared emotional as she accepted the Moon Person, thanking MTV and the fans who have supported her.
'Thank you, MTV, for this amazing award,' LISA said during her acceptance speech.
She also thanked her supporters, adding: 'All those late-night dreams brought me here today, so thank you for the inspiration, especially to my Lilies—I wouldn't be here without you guys.'
The emotional moment contrasted with the surprise expressed by some viewers online after her name was announced.
Some Viewers Ask: 'Who Is She?'
The strongest reaction came from viewers who said they were unfamiliar with LISA or 'Dream'. Some Reddit users questioned the result and compared the track's visibility with that of the other Best Pop nominees.
One discussion focused on the fact that some US-based listeners appeared unfamiliar with the song, while another included comments questioning LISA's recognition outside K-pop audiences. These reactions are individual online opinions and should not be treated as representative of all VMA viewers or the wider music audience.
LISA's international profile is, however, considerably larger than the comments might suggest. As a member of BLACKPINK, she has built a global following, while her solo career has expanded her reach beyond the group.
There is also no evidence supporting claims made by some online commenters that the award was 'bought' or otherwise improperly decided. Those statements are speculation from individual users rather than facts.
Why the Result Surprised Some Viewers
LISA was competing against major pop acts in a category that included Ariana Grande's 'hate that i made you love me', Charli XCX's 'SS26', Olivia Rodrigo's 'drop dead', Sabrina Carpenter's 'House Tour', Tate McRae's 'Nobody's Girl' and Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia'.
That lineup helps explain why the result generated discussion among viewers who were more familiar with the Western pop nominees. However, familiarity with an artist or song is not the same as an official measure of who should win an award.
The 2026 VMA nominations also placed LISA in several categories, including Best K-pop, Best Cinematography and Best Editing, demonstrating that her solo work had received recognition across the ceremony rather than solely in the Best Pop category.
'Dream' and LISA's Solo Career
'Dream' features Japanese actor and musician Kentaro Sakaguchi and appeared on LISA's debut solo studio album, Alter Ego, released in February 2025.
Billboard reported that the song reached No. 16 on Japan's Heatseekers Songs chart and No. 20 on Japan's Hot Shot Songs chart. The track was also accompanied by a short film starring LISA and Sakaguchi and directed by Ojun Kwon.
LISA's VMA success comes as she continues to establish herself as a solo artist alongside her BLACKPINK career. She has also released other solo material, including the 2026 EP Press Play.
Taylor Swift Also Makes VMA History
Swift's loss in the Best Pop category did not mean she left the ceremony without major recognition.
She won Video of the Year for 'The Fate of Ophelia' and received the MTV VMA Artist Director Honours. The latter made Swift the most-awarded artist in VMA history, according to the Associated Press.
LISA's Best Pop victory stands alongside a significant night for Swift, rather than replacing her overall presence at the ceremony.
For some viewers, the unexpected result has prompted a simple question: 'Who is she?' For LISA and her global fanbase, however, the answer is already well established, with the Best Pop Moon Person adding another major achievement to her growing solo career.
