BLACKPINK’s Rosé, the soundtrack for the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” and the global girl group KATSEYE have earned major nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards. These nominations mark the first time a K-pop artist or project has been recognized in the Grammys’ top general field categories.
The Recording Academy announced the nominees on November 7, with the awards ceremony scheduled for February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. This historic achievement signals K-pop’s growing influence and recognition within the global music industry.
Breaking into the Major Categories
Rosé and Bruno Mars’s collaborative hit “APT.” secured nominations in two of the most prestigious categories: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The track is also nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
The song “Golden” from the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack, performed by the vocal artists of the film’s fictional group HUNTR/X—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI—also earned a spot in the Song of the Year category. This nomination is particularly significant as it honors the songwriters, EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick.
“We wrote it so fast,” EJAE told “Good Morning America” about creating “Golden,” adding that the song’s uplifting lyrics “came out super fast.”
Separately, the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, and “Golden” is up for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
A Landmark for Female K-Pop Artists
This year’s nominations represent a historic first for female K-pop artists. Until now, no female K-pop act had ever been nominated in the Grammys’ general field categories.
Rosé’s three nominations make her the first female K-pop artist to achieve this recognition. Her song “APT.” has been a global success since its release in October 2024, debuting at number one on the Billboard Global Charts and winning a Song of the Year award at the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this year.
The “KPop Demon Hunters” project also breaks new ground. The film’s soundtrack and its song “Golden” have dominated charts worldwide, with “Golden” holding the number one spot on the Billboard Global 200 for 14 consecutive weeks and topping the UK Singles chart.
New Artist Recognition for KATSEYE
The hybrid U.S.-Korea girl group KATSEYE, formed through the reality competition “Dream Academy” and backed by HYBE Entertainment, earned a nomination for Best New Artist. The group, consisting of members Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Yoonchae, and Megan, also received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their song “Gabriela.”
Group members expressed their shock and excitement on social media following the announcement. Member Daniela posted “TWO NOMS???????” on her Instagram story, while Manon wrote, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE’RE NOMINATED FOR 2 GRAMMYS I CAN’T STOP CRYING.”
Broadway Musical “Maybe Happy Ending” Honored
Adding to the recognition of Korean creative talent, the Broadway musical “Maybe Happy Ending,” a production originally from South Korea, received a nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. The musical, which made its Broadway debut in 2024, previously won six awards at the 2025 Tony Awards.
If it wins, lyricist Hue Park would share the award with the show’s principal vocalists and co-producers.
The Bigger Picture at the 2026 Grammys
The 2026 Grammys are led by several music industry giants. Rapper Kendrick Lamar tops the list with nine nominations, including for his album “GNX” and his collaboration with SZA, “Luther.” Lady Gaga follows with seven nominations for her album “Mayhem” and its lead single “Abracadabra.”
Other major contenders include Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter, who also scored nominations across the Album, Record, and Song of the Year categories.
The Grammys introduced two new categories for the 2026 ceremony: Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album. The existing Best Country Album category has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album.
The 68th Grammy Awards will be held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
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