Grammys 2026: A Historic Moment for K-Pop as Artists Break into Major Categories
In a groundbreaking development for the global music industry, the 2026 Grammy Awards have witnessed an unprecedented milestone: for the first time ever, songs by K-pop artists or those closely associated with the genre have secured nominations in the prestigious "big four" categories. This historic moment raises a compelling question: will a K-pop artist finally take home a Grammy trophy this year?
The Nominees Making History
The nominations represent a significant shift in recognition for a genre that has long dominated global pop culture while remaining undercelebrated at traditional Western institutions like the Grammys. Leading this charge is Rosé, best known as a member of the powerhouse girl group Blackpink, who has become the first K-pop artist ever nominated for Record of the Year. Her megahit collaboration with Grammy favorite Bruno Mars, "APT.," has broken this barrier.
Similarly, the Song of the Year category features its first K-pop nominees, with "APT." competing against "Golden" by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. Additionally, Katseye, a girl group created by HYBE—the entertainment giant behind BTS—and modeled after the K-pop idol system, has earned a nomination for Best New Artist.
Debating What Constitutes "True" K-Pop Recognition
While this appears to be a historic moment, experts are divided on whether it represents genuine recognition of K-pop or something more hybridized. Areum Jeong, assistant professor of Korean Studies at Arizona State University, argues that many of these nominations reflect "a de-territorialized, hybrid idea of K-pop" rather than traditional K-pop itself. She notes that while Rosé was trained in the K-pop system and "APT." incorporates Korean motifs, the song "does not feel like a localized K-pop production."
Similarly, Jeong points out that Katseye, though produced by HYBE, is marketed primarily toward Western audiences. She suggests that both "APT." and Katseye's "Gabriela"—which also competes in the Pop Duo/Group Performance category—"seem less K-pop than other K-pop songs that could have been nominated over the years."
The Mainstream Appeal Factor
Mathieu Berbiguier, a visiting assistant professor in Korean Studies at Carnegie Mellon University, highlights a crucial distinction: these nominations differ from past K-pop Grammy nods because they feature "a mainstream popular music factor." This includes connections to major Netflix projects like Kpop Demon Hunters and Pop Star Academy: Katseye, as well as collaborations with established stars like Bruno Mars.
"It tells you that K-pop is not considered as something niche anymore," Berbiguier explains. "Now, when we think about pop music in general, we also think of K-pop as part of it."
Bernie Cho, president of the South Korean agency DFSB Kollective, echoes this sentiment, describing the nominees as representing "a sort of post-idol K-pop" where the genre has become globalized. "The songs are not necessarily for Korea, by Korea, from Korea, just kind of beyond Korea," he says. "It's a celebration and testament to how diverse and dynamic K-pop has become."
Why Now? Timing and Industry Shifts
The timing of these nominations has sparked analysis. Jeong points out that the Recording Academy has historically overlooked record-breaking K-pop acts like BTS, Seventeen, and Stray Kids, possibly due to resistance to non-English lyrics. "It does not surprise me that 'APT.' and Katseye's music, which mainly contain English lyrics and seem less K-pop, were nominated," she observes.
Berbiguier adds that this trend reflects current K-pop dynamics, where songs increasingly feature more English and less Korean. Meanwhile, Tamar Herman, a music journalist and author, suggests that 2025's lackluster year for new pop music in the U.S.—with slowed streams and fewer megahits—may have created an opening for external influences.
"Yes, it's a big moment for K-pop, but it is so overdue," Herman says. "These recognitions are more of a sign of how poorly the music industry in the U.S. did this year that we're looking externally." She argues that this acknowledgment may symbolize shifting cultural dominance rather than solely K-pop's quality, which has been high for years.
The Big Question: Will a K-Pop Artist Win?
As the ceremony approaches, the question remains: will a K-pop artist finally win a Grammy? Cho is optimistic: "I think it's not even a matter of if or when. It's going to be who and how many." Others are more cautious. Berbiguier finds it "hard to predict," though he sees "Golden" as a possible contender.
Herman offers a nuanced perspective, noting that the definition of K-pop itself is evolving. With HUNTR/X being a fictional group from an animated film not debuting through the traditional K-pop system, a victory for "Golden" might not be universally seen as a K-pop win. Ultimately, this historic moment at the Grammys 2026 highlights not just K-pop's global reach but also the ongoing conversation about what the genre represents in an increasingly interconnected music world.
