ILLIT and KATSEYE Secure Nominations for 2026 American Music Awards

The 2026 American Music Awards have announced their nominees, highlighting achievements for 5th-generation and global K-pop acts. Rookie girl group ILLIT secured a nomination for Best Female K-Pop Artist, while global ensemble KATSEYE earned nominations in three categories.

Key Facts

• ILLIT is the only 5th-generation girl group nominated for Best Female K-Pop Artist.
• ILLIT will compete against aespa, BLACKPINK, LE SSERAFIM, and TWICE.
• KATSEYE, a global girl group under HYBE-Geffen Records, received three nominations.
• The American Music Awards are one of the three major U.S. popular music awards.

Key Quote

"ILLIT is the only 5th-generation girl group to be nominated in this category this year." — Nate

Key Terms

• 5th-Generation: K-pop artists who debuted starting around 2023–2024.
• HYBE-Geffen Records: A joint venture between South Korea's HYBE and America's Geffen Records.