aespa is included in four categories in KWaveHub’s 2026 MAMA Awards nominee guide, with “LEMONADE” appearing in album and dance-performance categories and “WDA (Whole Different Animal)” listed for collaboration. This article follows KWaveHub’s 2026 MAMA Awards nominees: full list, which organizes the current category entries in one place.
aespa’s 2026 MAMA Awards nominations
The following entries are the nominations attributed to aespa in the current KWaveHub nominee guide. Check the official Mnet Plus MAMA Awards page for organizer-published updates.
| Category | Nominee / nominated work |
|---|---|
| Best Female Group | aespa |
| Album of the Year | LEMONADE |
| Best Dance Performance — Female Group | “LEMONADE” |
| Best Collaboration | “WDA (Whole Different Animal)” with G-DRAGON |
What makes these nominations notable?
aespa’s nominations cover group recognition, an album-level entry, choreography-led performance and a collaboration. “LEMONADE” appears in two distinct categories, allowing the release to be considered as part of the album race and as a female-group dance performance. “WDA (Whole Different Animal)” adds a collaborative entry with G-DRAGON, giving aespa a separate route to recognition beyond its group release.
Key songs, albums and categories to watch
The variety of categories is the main story here. Each award has a different focus, and success in one does not determine the result in another. Any assessment of aespa’s chances should weigh the specific category field and official criteria, not simply count nominations.
Could aespa win at the 2026 MAMA Awards?
aespa has a credible opportunity to compete in each listed category, but nominations alone do not establish a frontrunner or guarantee an award. A fair prediction should compare the entry with its category rivals and rely on the published rules, eligible data and official announcements. KWaveHub will update its coverage as more confirmed information becomes available.
When and where are the 2026 MAMA Awards?
The ceremony is scheduled for November 20–21, 2026, at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Osaka, Japan, with worldwide streaming announced via Mnet Plus. See CJ ENM’s event announcement and the official Mnet Plus event page for updates.
Read more 2026 MAMA Awards coverage
- 2026 MAMA Awards nominees: full list by category
- Related category guide
- Awards & Events on KWaveHub
- Latest K-pop news
Editorial note: This article summarizes the entries shown in KWaveHub’s current nominee guide. It is not an official MAMA announcement. Confirm names, category placements and rules against organizer sources if updated information is released.
aespa: Top 3 Contenders for Best Female Group
For Best Female Group, aespa’s “LEMONADE” album nomination is relevant context, but album-level recognition and group-level recognition are separate races. The shortlist below is a provisional editorial watchlist based on category fit and established profile, not official judging data.
- BLACKPINK: A high-profile contender with an established international audience; eligible-period performance still needs to be compared.
- aespa: A strong watchlist entry with a nominated album and a well-established performance identity.
- IVE: A notable group contender whose “BANG BANG” also appears in dance-performance coverage; that song-specific category is separate from Best Female Group.
How to read this list: these are provisional editorial contenders, not verified top scorers. Confirm the official 2026 criteria and compare nominees using the same eligibility window. See CJ ENM’s explanation of MAMA criteria, the full KWaveHub nominee guide, and official Mnet Plus updates.
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