The 2026 Melon Music Awards (MMA) are introducing a new format, expanding the annual ceremony into a two-day event for the first time. Taking place November 14 and 15 at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome, the 18th edition carries the theme “K-Pop Connect: The New Pulse,” bringing together established names, emerging acts and some of the year’s biggest K-pop releases. The opening night, designated Global Day, features 14 performers and one of the most anticipated reunions of the year.
Your daily dose of music news, trends, and fresh drops.
InMusic Newsletter
When Do the Melon Music Awards 2026 Start?
Day 1 takes place on Saturday, November 14, at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Red carpet coverage begins at 5 p.m. KST, followed by the main ceremony at 6 p.m. KST.
Fans in South Korea can watch through Melon and Wavve, while international viewers can follow the event through the Melon and 1theK YouTube channels, subject to regional restrictions. TVBS is among the broadcasting partners in Taiwan.
Melon Music Awards 2026 Day 1 Performers
Fourteen acts are scheduled to perform during the opening ceremony. The biggest talking point is the return of I.O.I, a decade after the project group’s original activities. The former Produce 101 contestants reunited in 2026 with the EP I.O.I : LOOP and its single “Suddenly.” Their special performance is expected to reflect the group’s past, present and future, making it one of the night’s defining moments.
The lineup also includes aespa, ATEEZ, NCT DREAM, RIIZE, TWS, YENA, Hearts2Hearts, RESCENE, Dragon Pony, Japanese girl group HANA, IDID, AEN and TUIDE. NCT DREAM’s appearance carries additional significance as the group marks its tenth anniversary. IDID and AEN are also preparing a joint stage, while aespa and ATEEZ are among the major acts expected to deliver elaborate performances.
Complete Day 1 performer lineup:
- I.O.I
- AEN
- aespa
- ATEEZ
- Dragon Pony
- HANA
- Hearts2Hearts
- IDID
- NCT DREAM
- RESCENE
- RIIZE
- TUIDE
- TWS
- YENA
Melon Music Awards 2026 Day 1 Presenters
The opening night brings together actors, television personalities and entertainers to present the awards. Lee Young-ae, Jang Keun-suk, Lee Do-hyun and Yoo Seung-ho are among the high-profile names scheduled to appear. The presenter lineup also features Kang Hoon, Kang So-ra, Kwon Sung-jun, Kim Shin-young, Kim Tae-young, Roh Yoon-seo, Ryeoun, Shin Ye-eun, Oh Na-ra, Yoon Eun-hye, Lee Si-woo, Lee Yeon and Han Ye-ri.
Melon Music Awards 2026: Main Nominees and Categories
The TOP10 artists were confirmed ahead of the ceremony and also make up the Artist of the Year shortlist: AKMU, BTS, CORTIS, Hearts2Hearts, I.O.I, ILLIT, IVE, KiiiKiii, NCT WISH and PLAVE.
The major categories include Album of the Year, with nominees such as aespa’s LEMONADE, BTS’ ARIRANG, I.O.I’s I.O.I : LOOP and IVE’s REVIVE+. Song of the Year features tracks including “SWIM” by BTS, “Suddenly” by I.O.I, “BANG BANG” by IVE and “LEMONADE” by aespa.
Other races include New Artist of the Year, Best Group, Best Solo, Best OST and Best Pop Artist. A new Global TOP10 category also makes its debut, drawing on the Global-K Chart, which combines data from Melon, Tencent Music and Line Music. Seven acts, including BTS, I.O.I, IVE, ILLIT, KiiiKiii, CORTIS and AKMU, appear across all three major award shortlists.
Leave a Reply