K-pop Poised for Historic Milestone at 68th Grammy Awards
As first-round voting for the 68th Grammy Awards wraps up, excitement builds around K-pop’s potential breakthrough. Despite considerable global acclaim, no K-pop act has yet won this prestigious award, symbolized by the golden gramophone.
K-pop’s Strong Presence in Grammy Contention
This year’s eligibility period, from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025, showcases some of K-pop’s most successful records. Among the prominent K-pop artists in the running is BLACKPINK vocalist Rosé, along with Bruno Mars’ hit “APT.” and “Golden,” a standout from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” Both songs aim for nominations in the highly competitive Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories. Their albums, “Rosie” and “KPop Demon Hunters,” are also contenders for Album of the Year.
Expanding Reach Across Categories
- “APT.” targets Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video.
- “Golden” vies for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Remixed Recording, Best Music Video, and Best Song Written for Visual Media.
The success of “Golden,” supported by the animation’s popularity, enhances its chances. The track topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Chart for several weeks.
Broader K-pop Representation
Beyond these key contenders, other K-pop stars are also in the race. In Record of the Year, submissions include:
- BLACKPINK’s “JUMP”
- Jennie’s “Like JENNIE”
- Lisa’s “Born Again”
- BTS member Jin’s “Don’t Say You Love Me”
- RM and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Never Play”
- J-Hope’s “Sweet Dreams”
- Seventeen’s “Thunder”
- TXT’s “Beautiful Strangers”
- KATSEYE’s “Gabriela”
- TWICE’s “Strategy”
- Stray Kids’ “Walking On Water”
Albums contending for Album of the Year include Jennie’s “RUBY,” Lisa’s “Alter Ego,” Jin’s “Echo,” and more. Meanwhile, KATSEYE, aespa, and Ateez vie for Best New Artist.
Previous Trends and New Expectations
| Category | Notable Entries |
|---|---|
| Best Pop Duo/Group Performance | IVE’s “XOXZ,” Le Sserafim’s “HOT,” Ateez’s “In Your Fantasy,” RIIZE’s “Fly Up” |
Historically, only two Korean musicians, Sumi Jo and Hwang Byeong-joon, secured Grammy victories. Despite BTS’ nominations in previous years, the absence of K-pop from last year’s nominations surprised many. This absence reignited debates on whether K-pop’s influence is being overlooked.
The 68th Grammy Awards might finally signal a change. The Recording Academy will announce final nominees on November 7, with final-round voting occurring from December 12 to January 5. The prestigious event is set for February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
