Ateez Aespa and Enhypen Compete for Best New Artist Grammy Nomination in K-Pop Spotlight
The race for the Best New Artist award at the 2026 Grammy Awards has K-pop fans on the edge of their seats. Renowned acts such as Aespa, Ateez, and Enhypen are in contention, despite already having significant success on the charts.
Ateez’s Journey
Ateez has been a prominent presence on the Billboard charts since their debut seven years ago. They have achieved No. 1 on the Billboard 200 twice. Their notable albums include “The World EP.Fin: Will” in 2023 and “Golden Hour: Part 2” in the following year. By achieving multiple chart-topping albums, they join the ranks of other legendary K-pop bands like BTS and Stray Kids.
Aespa Making Waves
Aespa marked their debut with the album “Armageddon” in May 2024, which peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200. Before this, they had already gained recognition with their introductory EP “Savage” in 2021. Their EP “Girls,” in particular, catapulted them to No. 3 on the charts in the summer of 2022. The group’s “Rich Man EP” also performed well, reaching No. 14 in September of this year.
Enhypen’s Rising Success
Like Aespa, Enhypen’s impact on the Billboard 200 began in 2021. Since then, they have accrued five top 10 projects, nearly reaching the top spot with “Romance: Untold.” Their consistent chart performance demonstrates a compelling trajectory in the K-pop arena.
Grammy Eligibility and Process
The eligibility period for the 2026 Grammys started in September 2024 and closed in August 2025. Currently, 337 artists vie for the Best New Artist title. A committee within the Recording Academy evaluates which acts are deemed “new,” leading to potential debates about who qualifies under the ever-evolving criteria. The first vote tallies began on October 3, with nominations to be announced on November 7.
K-Pop at the Grammy Spotlight
Despite their global popularity, only BTS has earned Grammy nominations among K-pop acts, achieving five honors so far. This year’s Grammys might further expand K-pop’s representation with the potential nominations of Blackpink and its members Lisa and Rosé.
The competition among Aespa, Ateez, and Enhypen highlights the vibrant surge of K-pop in the Western music industry. Fans eagerly await the official nominees’ announcement, hopeful for these acts to make history at the prestigious awards.
