Rosé at the Grammy Awards

A Historic Opening Performance

At the 68th Grammy Awards in 2026, BLACKPINK’s Rosé made history. She took the stage alongside Bruno Mars to perform their hit song “APT.” and led the opening performance of the ceremony. This marked the first time a K-pop artist, under a solo name, performed on the Grammy stage.

The first televised shot of the night showed Rosé and Bruno Mars appearing side by side. Just before the performance began, a brief moment was captured in which Rosé kissed Bruno Mars on the cheek, instantly drawing global attention.

First Major Category Nominations for a Solo K-pop Artist

This year, Rosé and Bruno Mars were nominated in three major categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “APT.” Although they did not win in any category, Rosé became one of the very few solo K-pop artists to be nominated in the Grammy Awards’ most prestigious group of categories, known as the “Big Four.”

Proving Her Strength as a Solo Artist

Many international media outlets described Rosé’s nomination alone as a historic achievement. She is among a small number of Asian artists—and especially solo K-pop artists—to be recognized in the Grammys’ top categories. This milestone shows that her music has moved beyond the boundaries of the Asian market and gained recognition on a truly global stage.

Looking Ahead

According to overseas media, Rosé is no longer in a phase of chasing awards, but rather in the process of establishing herself as a global artist. Not taking home a Grammy is not seen as a failure, but as a sign that she is now very close to the center of the global music industry—where recognition can matter more than trophies.

All eyes will be on Rosé and her next steps throughout 2026!!