Women linked to K-pop grabbed major spots in the 2026 Grammy nominations announced last Friday. Hits from a Netflix animated film, a duet with Bruno Mars, and a new LA girl group now compete in song of the year, record of the year, and best new artist categories. The 68th Grammys take place February 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. No K-pop act has won a Grammy before, though BTS picked up nods in past years.
Background
K-pop started in South Korea years ago with tight dance moves, big productions, and fan armies. Groups like BTS brought it to the US around 2017 with sold-out tours and chart climbs. Their 2021 Grammy nod for best pop duo or group performance was the first for any Korean act. But wins stayed out of reach.
Fast forward to 2025. K-pop mixed more with American pop. ROSÉ from BLACKPINK went solo and teamed up with stars. Animated films tapped K-pop sounds. New groups formed with global members trained in the style. These steps built toward bigger US awards notice. Grammy voters, made up of music pros, now see K-pop tracks hold up on charts and airplay lists. Billboard data shows songs topping both Hot 100 and global charts for weeks.
The nominations came after a year of records. 'Golden' from the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters held No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 for 14 weeks. It hit No. 1 on Hot 100 for eight weeks too. ROSÉ and Bruno Mars's 'APT.' debuted at No. 8 on Hot 100 and No. 1 worldwide. KATSEYE's EP Beautiful Chaos reached No. 4 on Billboard 200. All this set the stage for Friday's news.
Key Details
The song 'Golden' earned nods for song of the year and best pop duo or group performance. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI provided the voices for the film's fictional band HUNTR/X. The track, written by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick, now sits at No. 2 on Hot 100 after 19 weeks. It also got mentions in remixed recording and song written for visual media.
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars Duet
ROSÉ of BLACKPINK scored in song of the year, record of the year, and best pop duo or group performance for 'APT.'. Released late 2024, the song peaked at No. 3 on Hot 100. It blends Motown vibes with K-pop energy. This marks ROSÉ's push into solo work after BLACKPINK's global run.
KATSEYE's Rise
KATSEYE, based in Los Angeles, landed best new artist and best pop duo or group nods. The group formed in 2023 via HYBE's Dream Academy series. Members Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Yoonchae, and Megan come from the US, Philippines, South Korea, and Switzerland. Their EP Beautiful Chaos includes tracks like 'Gnarly' and 'Gabriela'. They train under HYBE, BTS's label, but aim for a worldwide sound.
Other nods went to the musical Maybe Happy Ending. It picked up best musical theater album after six Tony wins. The show has lyrics by Hue Park and stars Marcus Choi, Darren Criss, Dez Duron, and Helen J. Shen.
"We still can't believe it," KATSEYE posted on social media after the news. "Best new artist and pop duo? This is wild."
These picks stand out because women lead the K-pop charge. Past nods focused on BTS, an all-male group. Now, female voices dominate the top spots.
What This Means
A win on February 1 would give K-pop its first Grammy. Voters seem to judge these tracks on their own, not just as fan favorites. 'Golden' comes from a film, but its chart run proves staying power. 'APT.' crossed over with a US star like Mars. KATSEYE shows the style works with mixed backgrounds in LA.
US charts already welcome K-pop. Hot 100 and Global 200 see Korean acts weekly. Streaming numbers back it up. A trophy could open more doors. Labels might push harder for crossovers. More films and shows could use K-pop sounds. Groups with English lyrics or US collabs might follow.
Fans watch close. Social media buzz grew fast after Friday. KATSEYE shared joy online. ROSÉ fans celebrated her four nods. HUNTR/X voices got praise for blending animation with real hits. The show could draw bigger crowds to Crypto.com Arena.
Grammy history shifts slow. Pop categories mix styles now. Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga lead overall nods. K-pop fits in without special treatment. This points to the genre settling as plain pop music in the US.
Longer term, young artists train for this. HYBE and others scout global talent. Reality shows like Dream Academy build groups from scratch. Success here pulls more money into K-pop training. South Korea's industry grows too, with exports to the West.
Performers prep for the night. Rehearsals start soon. Who sings what stays secret for now. Past shows had big stages and guest spots. Expect K-pop flair if they win. The date nears, and eyes turn to LA.
