For years, K-pop has been building an undeniable global empire, but the Grammy Awards often felt like an unconquered fortress. Not anymore! The 2026 Grammy nominations have thrown the doors wide open, marking a monumental shift with stars like BLACKPINK's Rosé, the animated group Huntr/x, and rising global sensation KATSEYE breaking new ground in major categories. Get ready to dive into a truly historic moment for music's biggest night!

TL;DR: The Massive Milestones from This Year's Grammy Nods
  • Rosé from BLACKPINK is the first K-pop artist to land a nomination in a prestigious "Big Four" Grammy category with her electrifying track "APT."
  • The animated film KPop Demon Hunters and its infectious anthem "Golden" secured multiple major nominations, including a coveted spot for Song of the Year, an unprecedented feat for a children's movie track.
  • Global girl group KATSEYE made history with a Best New Artist nod, signaling a significant and long-awaited shift in Grammy recognition for K-pop and K-pop-inspired acts.

From Global Sensation to Grammy Contender: K-Pop's Journey to Mainstream Recognition

If you've followed K-pop, you know the genre has amassed a passionate global following, boasting chart-topping hits and groundbreaking performances. Yet, for a long time, the Recording Academy seemed slow to fully embrace this cultural phenomenon.

While trailblazers like BTS managed to secure nominations in categories such as Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and even Album of the Year, a win, or a nod in the highly prestigious "Big Four" categories (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist), remained elusive. This year, however, feels profoundly different. The 2026 Grammy nominations are a powerful testament to K-pop's undeniable mainstream impact.

Rosé's "APT." Blazes a Trail into the Grammy "Big Four" with Bruno Mars Collaboration

Picture this: BLACKPINK’s Rosé and her friends are on a tense FaceTime call, eyes glued to the screen as the Grammy nominations roll out. A nervous laugh, "Are we not gonna get it?" she wonders, playfully hiding her face. Then, pure euphoria as her name, alongside Bruno Mars, flashes for "APT." The screams and shouts that followed perfectly captured the significance of the moment.

Rosé just made history, becoming the first-ever K-pop artist to be nominated in one of the Grammys' ultra-prestigious "Big Four" categories: Record of the Year. Her chart-smashing collaboration with Bruno Mars also earned nods for Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. This isn't just a personal triumph for Rosé; it's a massive milestone for K-pop, showcasing its undeniable artistry on music's biggest global stage. (Source: NME, "BLACKPINK’s Rosé shares clip of moment leading up to historic Grammy nomination," November 8, 2025)

"Are we not gonna get it? Aw, maybe we’re not going to get it."

— Rosé, moments before her historic Grammy nomination was announced.

"APT." has been nothing short of a phenomenon since its October 2024 release. It quickly smashed records, becoming the fastest K-pop song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify and even clinched the coveted Song of the Year award at the MTV Video Music Awards. Critics raved about its addictive melody, the genius interpolation of Toni Basil’s "Mickey," and the electrifying chemistry with Bruno Mars, cementing it as a perfect introduction to Rosé's solo era. (Source: NME, "Rosé and Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ is an addictively flirty and fun intro to the BLACKPINK star’s solo era," November 8, 2025)

"Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters: How an Animated Film Song Became a Major Grammy Contender

Who would've thought an anthem from an animated kids' movie would be vying for Song of the Year at the Grammys? But that's precisely the Cinderella story of "Golden," the infectious track from Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters. Performed by the fictional group Huntr/x (voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), "Golden" has garnered an incredible four Grammy nominations: Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Best Remixed Recording for the David Guetta remix.

Adding to its impressive haul, the film's entire soundtrack is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, bringing the project's total Grammy nods to five. This kind of cross-genre success is genuinely rare; while songs from animated features have seen success in soundtrack-specific categories ("A Whole New World" from Aladdin won in 1994), it's highly unusual for them to break into the main general field categories like Song of the Year. (Source: Variety, "'Golden' From ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Lands Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year," November 7, 2025)

KPop Demon Hunters isn't just a musical hit; it's Netflix's most popular movie of all time, captivating over 325 million viewers globally. "Golden" dominated the charts, spending an astonishing 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, a clear indicator of its widespread appeal. EJAE, one of the song's cowriters and vocalists, also made personal history as the first Korean-American female songwriter to be nominated for Song of the Year, a testament to her incredible talent and perseverance.

The artists behind Huntr/x were understandably overwhelmed. EJAE admitted, "I’m not able to digest this time. I’m still in shock," while Rei Ami joked, "I blacked out. I’m probably not going to remember any of this morning in a few hours." Audrey Nuna underscored the cultural weight of their nominations: "You’re going to see three Korean faces. To think about the kids who are going to see that, and hopefully for that to shape their understanding of what they can do in this world, is the stuff that is giving me chills up my spine." (Source: Variety, "'Golden' From ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Lands Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year," November 7, 2025)

EJAE’s journey to this moment is particularly inspiring. After dedicating 12 years as a trainee at SM Entertainment and ultimately not debuting as a K-pop idol, she pivoted to become a successful producer and composer for groups like Red Velvet and aespa. Her current global triumph with "Golden" is a powerful narrative of resilience and redefining success. (Source: Korea JoongAng Daily, "EJAE goes beyond imagination on Grammy nomination for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ soundtrack," November 9, 2025)

The film's popularity was so immense that Netflix, a platform typically known for its streaming-first approach, even brought sing-along versions of KPop Demon Hunters to theaters. These fan events were wildly successful, raking in an impressive $18 million over two days during its initial theatrical run and another $5-6 million around Halloween. This phenomenal engagement shows just how deeply "Golden" and its accompanying film resonated with audiences worldwide.

KATSEYE: A New Global Blueprint for Music Makes a Splash in Best New Artist Category

Just two short years ago, the formation of KATSEYE was unfolding on "The Debut: Dream Academy," a reality competition born from a unique partnership between South Korean entertainment powerhouse HYBE (the agency managing global sensations BTS) and Geffen Records. Now, the six-member global girl group—Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Manon Bannerman, Megan Skiendiel, Sophia Laforteza, and Yoonchae Jeung—are officially Grammy nominees.

KATSEYE's nominations are truly groundbreaking, earning them nods for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their track "Gabriela." Their Best New Artist nomination is a historical first, marking the inaugural time a group specifically created using the K-pop training and formation format has been recognized in this prestigious category. (Source: The Hollywood Reporter, "KATSEYE on Their Grammy Nominations: ‘We Grew Up Watching and Dreaming About Moments Like This’," November 7, 2025)

The group proudly embraces its "global group" identity, a reflection of its members' diverse heritage spanning the U.S., Switzerland (with Ghanaian, Swiss, and Italian roots), the Philippines, and South Korea. Their compelling journey was also captured in the Netflix documentary, "Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE," giving fans an inside look at their formation and dedication.

Lara Raj articulated the group's ambitious vision: "Making a genuine impact on culture is our biggest goal. A big thing about us is being versatile. We switch it up with every project we put out. Even on each EP, every song is different and that is important to us." (Source: CNN, "Katseye is having the best year ever and the Grammys just proved it," November 7, 2025) Their EPs, "SIS (Soft Is Strong)" and "Beautiful Chaos"—which impressively peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200—along with a viral Gap ad, have firmly established their presence, highlighting the success of this innovative global model in music.

A True Turning Point: Why These Nominations Redefine Global Music Acceptance

The collective strength and diverse nature of these K-pop and Korean-affiliated nominations at the 2026 Grammys signify far more than individual accolades. They represent a monumental paradigm shift in how the Recording Academy acknowledges and celebrates global music. For too long, critics argued that the Grammys were stuck in a Western-centric bubble, often overlooking the immense talent and popularity of non-English genres.

This year's nominations, particularly with entries in the "Big Four" and across various pop and visual media categories, decisively dismantle that long-held narrative. It shows a genuine, evolving understanding that musical excellence and global impact transcend language and geographic boundaries.

However, it's fair to acknowledge that while nominations are a massive stride, winning remains another significant hurdle. The Grammys have, at times, nominated diverse artists without always granting them top prizes. Additionally, the broader nomination list still saw some unexpected snubs for eligible high-profile artists like Lorde and The Weeknd in major categories, serving as a reminder that the Academy's choices can still surprise. Nevertheless, these minor limitations do not overshadow the current achievement; the sheer visibility and presence of K-pop in such prominent fields is a landmark victory that will undoubtedly open more doors for future generations of global artists.

Example: Picture a bustling international airport lounge where a diverse group of travelers are all plugged into their headphones. One person is bobbing their head to Rosé's "APT.", another smiles as "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters plays on their tablet, while a teenager scrolls through KATSEYE's latest music video on their phone. These aren't just isolated moments; they're snapshots of K-pop seamlessly integrating into the global soundtrack, bridging cultures and generations through universally appealing melodies.

What These Historic Grammy Nominations Mean for You, the Music Fan

As we gear up for the 2026 Grammy Awards, set to air live from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 1, 2026, these groundbreaking nominations signal exciting changes for how you experience music:

  • A Wider Musical Horizon: Get ready for an even more diverse and vibrant soundscape on your playlists, as the music industry continues to recognize and amplify global talent.
  • Discover Your Next Favorite Artist: Keep a close watch on artists like Rosé, the voices behind Huntr/x (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami), and KATSEYE. Their Grammy recognition is poised to catapult them to even greater global fame.
  • The Power of Fandom Ignited: These nominations underscore the incredible influence and dedication of K-pop fan communities, proving that collective passion can genuinely shape the global music landscape.
  • K-Pop is Officially Mainstream: The era of K-pop being considered a "niche" genre is definitively over. These Grammy nods firmly establish its status as an essential and dynamic component of popular music worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Grammy Nominations

  • When are the 2026 Grammy Awards? The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be presented live on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
  • Where can I watch the Grammy Awards? The awards ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and will also be available to stream on Paramount+.
  • Which K-pop artists and acts are nominated in major categories this year? Rosé (BLACKPINK member), Huntr/x from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack (featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami), and the global girl group KATSEYE are all nominated in significant, high-profile categories.
  • Is this the first time K-pop has received Grammy nominations? While groups like BTS have earned nominations in previous years, this marks the first time a K-pop artist (Rosé) has been nominated in a "Big Four" general field category (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist) and also the first K-pop female artist in a major category. Additionally, KATSEYE is the first group created using the K-pop format to be nominated for Best New Artist.

Sources

  • NME, "BLACKPINK’s Rosé shares clip of moment leading up to historic Grammy nomination: ‘Are we not gonna get it?’", November 8, 2025
  • NME, "Rosé and Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ is an addictively flirty and fun intro to the BLACKPINK star’s solo era", November 8, 2025
  • CNN, "Katseye is having the best year ever and the Grammys just proved it", November 7, 2025
  • Variety, "'Golden' From ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Lands Grammy Nomination for Song of the Year", November 7, 2025
  • The Hollywood Reporter, "KATSEYE on Their Grammy Nominations: ‘We Grew Up Watching and Dreaming About Moments Like This’", November 7, 2025
  • Forbes, "Rosé And ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Make Grammy History For K-Pop", November 7, 2025
  • Korea JoongAng Daily, "EJAE goes beyond imagination on Grammy nomination for ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ soundtrack", November 9, 2025
  • The Korea Herald, "Blackpink’s Rose earns Grammy nods with ‘APT.’", November 10, 2025
  • Rolling Stone, "Girl Groups Are Making History at the 2026 Grammys", November 7, 2025