K-pop Makes Grammy History: A New Era of Global Recognition
For years, K-pop fans have watched with frustration as their favorite artists dominated global charts, sold out stadiums worldwide, and broke streaming records, only to be overlooked by the Grammy Awards. But 2025 marks a pivotal turning point. The 2026 Grammy nominations, announced on November 7, 2025, have finally recognized K-pop in the most prestigious categories, signaling a historic shift in how the Recording Academy views the genre.
Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling
BLACKPINK's Rosé has achieved what no K-pop artist has accomplished before. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars, "APT" became the first song by a K-pop artist ever nominated for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, the Grammy's most prestigious general field categories.
These nominations represent a monumental breakthrough for the genre, which has long struggled for recognition at the awards show despite its massive global influence.
The 28-year-old artist also earned a third nomination in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for the same track. When the nominations were announced, Rosé's emotional reaction captured on video showed her nervously watching with friends before erupting in celebration when her name appeared on screen. The historic nature of these nominations wasn't lost on her, she had previously expressed that such recognition would prove to herself things she'd grown up doubting.
'Golden' Shines Bright
Adding to K-pop's triumph, the animated Netflix film "KPop Demon Hunters" earned multiple nominations through its breakout hit "Golden," performed by the fictional group HUNTR/X (featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI). The song secured an impressive four nominations, including:
- Song of the Year
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
- Best Song Written for Visual Media
- Best Remixed Recording (for David Guetta's remix)
The film's complete soundtrack also received a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, bringing the total to five nominations. For the performers behind "Golden," the recognition was deeply moving. EJAE admitted she couldn't digest the news and remained in shock, while REI AMI was visibly tearful, calling the experience out of this world.
Rising Stars Make Their Mark
Global girl group KATSEYE also made waves with two nominations: Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their track "Gabriela." Formed through a reality show combining K-pop training methods with Western management from Hybe and Geffen Records, KATSEYE represents a new era of global collaboration in the K-pop industry.
Additionally, "Maybe Happy Ending," a Korean musical co-produced by Hue Park that debuted on Broadway in 2024, received a nomination for Best Musical Theater Album, further demonstrating Korean cultural influence across entertainment sectors.
A First in Multiple Categories
This year's nominations mark several historic firsts:
- First K-pop soloist to be nominated in the general field categories (Rosé)
- First time songs by K-pop artists were nominated for Song of the Year ("APT." and "Golden")
- First time a K-pop song was nominated for Record of the Year ("APT.")
- First time two K-pop songs competed in the same category in a single year (Best Pop Duo/Group Performance)
The Long Road to Recognition
The journey to this moment has been challenging.
BTS, who opened doors for K-pop at the Grammys in 2021 with their nomination for "Dynamite," earned three consecutive nominations in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category over the following years but never took home a trophy. The group also performed at the ceremony multiple times, yet the golden gramophone remained elusive.
Last year's nominations left K-pop fans deeply disappointed when major acts like Jungkook, whose "Seven" broke records, and BLACKPINK's Lisa, whose solo hits dominated charts, were completely shut out. Many fans voiced frustration on social media, with some calling the awards show biased against Asian artists.
Industry insiders have long acknowledged that K-pop faces unique challenges at the Grammys. The awards show, created by the American music industry for its own recognition, has historically been conservative and exclusive. Critics point to systemic issues, including the lack of a clearly defined musical identity for K-pop within Western industry standards and potential racial biases in voting patterns.
What Changed This Year?
Several factors contributed to this breakthrough moment:
Chart Dominance: "APT." spent an impressive 45 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Golden" spent eight weeks at number one. Such undeniable commercial success made it nearly impossible for voters to ignore these tracks.
Diversified Voting Base: The Recording Academy added 3,800 new voting members this year, with nearly half under 40, 58% people of color, and 35% women. This demographic shift toward younger, more diverse voters likely influenced the nominations.
Multiple Hit Songs: Rather than being a one-off phenomenon, having both "APT." and "Golden" succeed simultaneously demonstrated K-pop's sustained mainstream appeal, creating a compelling narrative that the genre represents a true cultural moment.
Strategic Positioning: Both songs featured elements that made them accessible to American audiences—English lyrics, collaborations with Western artists (Bruno Mars), and production styles aligned with current pop trends.
The Question Everyone's Asking: Will They Win?
Despite the historic nominations, no K-pop artist has ever won a Grammy. Will 2026 be different?
The odds are certainly better than ever before. Both "APT." and "Golden" have the commercial success, cultural impact, and critical acclaim that Grammy voters typically reward. However, they face stiff competition in their categories from established artists like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Some analysts predict that the Recording Academy might split recognition between the two songs—perhaps awarding "APT." in the Pop category and "Golden" in the Visual Media category, leaving the general field categories to other contenders. Others believe that after years of ignoring K-pop despite BTS's dominance, voters might finally be ready to make history.
Looking Forward
Regardless of the February 1, 2026 ceremony results, these nominations mark a watershed moment. They prove that K-pop has transcended cultural and linguistic barriers to become a dominant force in global pop music.
Culture critics suggest that rather than obsessing over Grammy validation, K-pop should continue forging its own path. The genre's massive popularity, innovative artistry, and dedicated fanbase don't require Western approval to be legitimate. However, Grammy recognition does open doors—to broader audiences, industry respect, and opportunities for future artists.
As one industry official put it, the fact that a K-pop group has even been nominated three times (referring to BTS's previous nods) was already a miracle. Now, with Rosé and HUNTR/X achieving even more prestigious nominations, K-pop has proven it belongs in the conversation alongside music's biggest names.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcasting live on CBS and Paramount+.
Whether or not K-pop takes home its first Grammy trophy, the 2026 nominations have already rewritten the narrative.
The question is no longer if K-pop deserves recognition, it's simply when the first Grammy win will happen.