LISA Debuts ‘SaWaDiKa’ on TV at 2026 MTV VMAs and Wins Best Pop for ‘Dream’
The BLACKPINK member brought her Thailand-inspired single to the VMA stage before leaving the ceremony with the Best Pop Moon Person.
LISA brought “SaWaDiKa” to television for the first time at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27, delivering a Thailand-inspired performance at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on a night that also saw her win Best Pop for “Dream.”
The LISA SaWaDiKa 2026 MTV VMAs performance translated imagery connected to her Thai roots onto the VMA stage, extending the visual direction of a single that was released earlier in September as the lead track from her forthcoming PRESS PLAY EP.
LISA brings SaWaDiKa to the 2026 MTV VMAs
The performance marked the first televised presentation of “SaWaDiKa.” The Hollywood Reporter documented the television debut during Sunday’s ceremony, where LISA built the performance around choreography and visual references to Thailand.
The VMA staging included a tuk-tuk, incorporating one of Bangkok’s most recognizable forms of transportation into the production. The performance continued the song’s emphasis on LISA’s Thai background rather than treating that connection as incidental decoration.
The ceremony itself followed weeks of TSJ coverage around the VMAs. Madonna’s return to the VMA stage opened the show, while Snoop Dogg’s hosting role put the rapper at the center of the Los Angeles broadcast.
SaWaDiKa draws directly from LISA’s Thai roots
“SaWaDiKa” was released earlier this month through LLOUD Co. and RCA Records. Sony Music’s official release announcement describes the title as a Thai greeting meaning “hello” and positions the song as a return to LISA’s roots and hip-hop sound.
The accompanying music video was filmed in LISA’s native Bangkok and directed by Bang Jae Yeob. It places the singer across recognizable locations in the city while combining choreography with a series of fashion-driven setups.
“SaWaDiKa” is the lead single from PRESS PLAY, LISA’s EP scheduled for October 23. Sony Music credits Thom Bridges and producer duo Ojivolta with producing the track.
Those elements made the VMAs a natural stage for extending the song’s visual identity. Rather than separating the televised performance from the single’s original concept, the production carried its references to Thailand into the live awards-show setting.
LISA wins Best Pop for Dream
The performance was only one part of LISA’s night. She also won Best Pop for “Dream,” featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi.
CBS and MTV’s official winners announcement confirms LISA took Best Pop against a field that included Ariana Grande, Charli xcx, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae and Taylor Swift.
The result is distinct from the ceremony’s Best K-Pop category. LISA was nominated there for “Dream,” while BLACKPINK was nominated for “JUMP,” but BTS ultimately won Best K-Pop for “SWIM.”
That distinction makes LISA’s Best Pop result particularly notable. Yonhap News Agency reported that she became the first Asian solo artist to win the category, following BTS’ Best Pop victory as a group in 2020.
The award also came as “Dream” competed in technical categories including Best Cinematography and Best Editing. CBS and MTV’s final winners list shows those awards ultimately went to Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “House Tour,” respectively.
The VMAs bridge Dream and LISA’s next solo chapter
LISA arrived at the ceremony with “Dream” representing her in the awards field while “SaWaDiKa” pointed toward what comes next.
Billboard’s post-show coverage also documented the performance and the Best Pop win, placing both moments within the same night rather than treating the stage appearance separately from the awards result.
That combination gives the appearance a transitional quality. “Dream” delivered the Moon Person, while “SaWaDiKa” shifted attention toward PRESS PLAY and LISA’s next solo release cycle.
The singer is also scheduled to perform a Las Vegas residency, VIVA LA LISA, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in November, according to Sony Music. The dates follow the October release of PRESS PLAY.
For LISA, the VMAs therefore served two purposes at once: recognition for an existing release and a major television showcase for the next one. The LISA SaWaDiKa 2026 MTV VMAs performance introduced the song to a television audience just weeks before PRESS PLAY is scheduled to arrive.
About the author
Annelise Sylta
Annelise Sylta is a member of the editorial staff at The Showbiz Journal. She holds an MBA from FIDM and brings a professional background in marketing, communications, branding, and audience engagement to her work with the publication. Her experience provides an additional perspective on the intersection of entertainment, culture, media, and contemporary lifestyle.
