LISA’s MTV VMA history has evolved from a groundbreaking solo win in 2022 into one of the most decorated K-pop solo résumés in the ceremony’s history. Across four solo Moon Persons, she has repeatedly made VMA history, from becoming the first solo K-pop artist to win an award to becoming the first K-pop soloist to take Best Pop.
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2022
LISA made her MTV VMA debut as a solo artist on August 28, 2022, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and immediately made history. She won Best K-Pop for “Lalisa,” beating BTS’ “Yet to Come,” TWICE’s “The Feels,” Stray Kids’ “MANIAC,” SEVENTEEN’s “HOT” and ITZY’s “LOCO.”
The victory was significant beyond the category itself. Best K-Pop had been introduced in 2019 and BTS had won every edition before LISA, making her victory the first by a solo K-pop artist and the first by a woman. Guinness World Records subsequently recognized the achievement as the first solo K-pop VMA win.
Sofia Carson presented LISA with the Moon Person, while fellow BLACKPINK members Jennie, Jisoo and Rosé were in attendance. During her acceptance speech, LISA thanked BLINKs and the team behind “Lalisa.”
The same ceremony also marked another BLACKPINK milestone. The group became the first female K-pop act to perform at the VMAs, opening the Born Pink era with “Pink Venom.” BLACKPINK also won Best Metaverse Performance for Blackpink: The Virtual.
2023
LISA did not receive a solo nomination or perform at the 2023 VMAs. BLACKPINK nevertheless remained part of the ceremony, winning Group of the Year and Best Choreography for “Pink Venom.”
The night therefore added two more VMA achievements to LISA’s résumé as a member, but her individual story was temporarily on pause.
2024
LISA returned to the VMAs on September 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, for her first solo VMA performance. Introduced by Paris Hilton as making her “VMA debut as a solo artist,” she opened with “New Woman,” her collaboration with Rosalía, before transitioning into “Rockstar.”
The performance brought flames, a giant center-stage star and elaborate choreography, establishing a new visual identity for LISA’s solo era. It also arrived during a major career transition after she launched her own company, LLOUD, and signed with RCA Records.
Later that night, Carson Daly presented LISA with Best K-Pop for “Rockstar.” The award marked her second win in the category and made her the second artist overall, as well as the only soloist at that point, to win Best K-Pop more than once.
“Rockstar” also received nominations for Best Art Direction, Best Choreography and Best Editing.
2025
LISA did not attend the 2025 ceremony, but she still left with another Moon Person. “Born Again,” her collaboration with Doja Cat and RAYE, won Best K-Pop, giving LISA her third victory in the category and tying her with BTS for the most wins since the award was introduced.
A prerecorded acceptance speech aired during the pre-show, with LISA thanking Doja Cat, RAYE, RCA, LLOUD, Lilies and BLINKs. The category featured an unusually strong concentration of K-pop’s biggest solo names, including Jisoo’s “Earthquake,” Jennie’s “Like Jennie” and Rosé’s “Toxic Till the End,” alongside Jimin, Stray Kids and aespa.
BLACKPINK also won Best Group, while Rosé took Song of the Year for “APT.” LISA’s third Best K-Pop victory extended her growing dominance in the category.
2026
LISA reached another VMA milestone on September 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Teyana Taylor presented her with Best Pop for “Dream,” featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi, making LISA the first K-pop soloist to win the category.
The victory also made her the first soloist and female act to win both Best K-Pop and Best Pop, a combination previously achieved only by BTS. Her fourth solo Moon Person also represented the first Best Pop win by an Asian solo act in 42 years.
LISA’s acceptance speech became another memorable moment of the night. Opening with “sawatdee kha,” she later addressed her fans directly: “To my Lilies, I wouldn’t be here without you guys, thank you so much for your love and support.”
“Dream” was additionally nominated for Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography and Best Editing, although BTS ultimately won Best K-Pop for “SWIM.” BLACKPINK’s “JUMP” was also nominated.
Later in the ceremony, LISA delivered the television debut of “SaWaDiKa,” a song from her EP Press Play. Introduced by Tyla, the performance leaned heavily into Thai culture, featuring Muay Thai-inspired choreography, Bangkok skyline visuals and a stage tuk-tuk. LISA performed in a maroon “LISA WORLDWIDE” outfit before riding and standing on the vehicle during the performance.
The performance arrived shortly after “SaWaDiKa” debuted at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100, giving LISA her highest-charting solo song on the chart without a featured artist.
Photo: Matthew Taplinger / MTV VMAs
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