The Best New Artist category is one of the most closely watched parts of the 2026 MAMA Awards because it introduces audiences to emerging acts and highlights the next wave of K-pop. This guide lists the nominees shown in the nomination graphic reviewed by KWaveHub, explains what the award generally celebrates, and offers a cautious editorial watchlist without presenting speculation as fact.
The 2026 MAMA Awards are scheduled for November 20–21 at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Osaka, Japan. See the official MAMA Awards page and CJ ENM’s announcement for event details. For every category in one place, use the complete 2026 MAMA nominees guide.
What does Best New Artist mean?
Best New Artist recognizes a newer act making a notable entrance into the music scene during the relevant eligibility period. In K-pop, attention can come from a debut release, a distinct musical identity, strong performances, audience growth or a memorable introduction to the group’s members and concept. The official eligibility rules—not popularity alone—determine who qualifies, and fans should consult Mnet’s published rules for the exact 2026 criteria.
2026 MAMA Awards Best New Artist nominees
The following 10 names appear in the nomination graphic supplied to KWaveHub:
- EVAN
- Hiipe Princess
- ALPHA DRIVE ONE
- AND2BLE
- hrtz.wav
- LNGSHOT
- MODYSSEY
- OURBIRTHDAY
- TUIDE
- UNCHILD
For additional artist background, explore KWaveHub’s group profiles and K-pop News. Readers interested in TUIDE can also visit the Yi Hani / TUIDE profile.
Who could win Best New Artist?
At this stage, naming one clear favorite would be premature without verified information on the official eligibility window, release performance, voting rules and judging criteria. A useful way to compare nominees is to look at the strength of each act’s debut or early releases, live-stage presence, public recognition, audience growth and the consistency of its artistic identity. Those are discussion points for fans—not a substitute for MAMA’s official process.
Because this category is about newer acts, established fandom size alone should not be treated as proof that one nominee will win. KWaveHub will update this analysis if reliable comparative figures or official criteria become available.
Why this category matters
A new-artist award can introduce a group to audiences beyond its existing fanbase and create a useful milestone in its early career. For readers, it is also a starting point for discovering acts before their next release or tour. Follow KWaveHub’s full MAMA nominees roundup and Awards & Events archive for updates across the ceremony.
Frequently asked questions
How many Best New Artist nominees are listed?
The supplied nomination graphic shows 10 names. Check the official MAMA page to confirm the final list.
Can fans determine the winner?
That depends on the official category rules. Do not assume that every MAMA award uses the same voting method; check Mnet Plus for published rules and voting details.
Editorial note: Nominee names are transcribed from the supplied nomination graphic and should be checked against official MAMA information. KWaveHub is an independent K-pop publication.
Top 3 Early Contenders for Best New Artist
Provisional editorial watchlist: new-artist awards are especially difficult to rank without comparable eligible-period debut data. These are contenders to monitor from the published nominee list, not confirmed leaders in the official scoring.
- ALPHA DRIVE ONE: A clear name to watch because the group is also represented in album-level coverage, giving readers another measurable release to follow. Eligibility and debut-period performance must be checked against official rules.
- TUIDE: Worth tracking as one of the listed nominees. Its position should be judged using verified eligible-period releases and published criteria, rather than fan speculation alone.
- LNGSHOT: Another contender to watch, with the outcome dependent on comparable performance data and the official evaluation framework.
No reliable winner prediction can be made from the nominee list alone. Compare official release dates, eligible-period domestic and global chart performance, and any jury component confirmed by MAMA. Browse the complete nominee guide and official Mnet Plus updates.
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