ATEEZ, CORTIS → KiiiKiii, ALLDAY PROJECT... Six Teams Revealed in First Lineup for the 2026 The Fact Music Awards
Held at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Sept. 19
From tripleS to idid, K-pop's Present and Future Gather on One Stage
ATEEZ, now in their ninth year and enjoying a dazzling golden era, and CORTIS, who reshaped the K-pop landscape just one year after debut, are set to take the stage at the 2026 The Fact Music Awards.
On July 14, the organizing committee of the The Fact Music Awards (TMA) unveiled the first lineup for the 2026 The Fact Music Awards. The lineup includes IDID, ATEEZ, ALLDAY PROJECT, CORTIS, KiiiKiii, and tripleS (listed in Korean alphabetical order), bringing together both the present and the future of K-pop.
IDID, who debuted in September last year, got off to a successful start by earning their first music show win just 12 days after debut. Captivating global fans with their bright and refreshing charm, the group showcased lively and confident energy through "FLY!", released in May. They also continued promotions with the B-side track "Attent!on" expanding their appeal by displaying youthful and vibrant boyish charm. Expectations are high for the kind of performance they will deliver at the 2026 TMA.
ATEEZ achieved approximately 1.89 million first-week album sales with their 14th mini album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5" released on June 26, and topped the Billboard 200, the main albums chart in the United States. It marked the third time ATEEZ had reached No. 1 on the chart. Now in their ninth year since debut, the group continues to reach new career highs while steadily expanding the scale of their annual world tours. Widely recognized as masters of the global stage, ATEEZ plans to fully demonstrate their unrivaled performance power at this year's awards ceremony.
ALLDAY PROJECT, who debuted in June last year, has been winning the hearts of fans worldwide by leading a fresh wave in K-pop with the unique appeal of a rare co-ed group. Upon debut, the group swept music charts with "FAMOUS" and "WICKED" setting remarkable records, and firmly established themselves as digital music powerhouses with "ONE MORE TIME" released in December last year. With each member's distinct individuality and sophisticated music, ALLDAY PROJECT is expected to make the 2026 TMA stage even more colorful.
Known as a "young creator crew" with fresh and bold creativity, CORTIS quickly rose to become one of K-pop's hottest global acts with "REDRED" the title track from their second mini album "GREENGREEN" released in May. The album recorded approximately 2.3 million first-week sales, while the song remained at No. 1 on music charts for an extended period. Their distinctive music and free-spirited energy are expected to transform this year's awards ceremony into a true festival created together by artists and fans.
KiiiKiii, who debuted in March last year and won the Next Leader award, the rookie award category, at the 2025 The Fact Music Awards, has continued to grow at an explosive pace. The group sparked a sensation with "404 (New Era)" the title track of their second mini album "Delulu Pack" released in January, firmly establishing themselves as one of the representative fifth-generation girl groups. In particular, KiiiKiii, known for representing "Gen Z beauty" through their stylish music and fashion, is expected to add even more vibrancy to this year's awards ceremony. As the group has also announced a comeback in August, fans can look forward to performances showcasing a variety of musical styles.
Having continuously expanded their unique musical universe, tripleS has been creating what many call a "miracle of a small and mid-sized agency" with the passionate support of global fans. ASSEMBLE26 "LOVE & POP" Part 1, released last month, recorded approximately 560,000 first-week album sales, while tripleS earned their first-ever terrestrial music show win with the title track "Baby Flower". As a 24-member group, anticipation is growing over what kind of performance they will deliver to captivate global fans at the awards ceremony.
Having unveiled six teams with outstanding presence and diverse musical colors as its first lineup, the 2026 The Fact Music Awards will be held on Sept. 19 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. After meeting global fans in Japan at Kyocera Dome Osaka in 2024 and in Macau, China, last year, the The Fact Music Awards will return to Korea for the first time in three years. The ceremony will also be held in Busan for the first time, raising expectations among fans.
Beloved every year as a global music festival created together by top K-pop artists and fans from around the world, the The Fact Music Awards is set to light up the night in Busan once again in 2026 with a spectacular and star-studded lineup, as well as overwhelming performances that bring everyone together as one.
Further information about the 2026 The Fact Music Awards will be released sequentially through the official website at a later date.
