In a monumental moment for the global music industry, the 2026 Grammy Award nominations announced on Friday witnessed K-Pop finally shattering its long-standing Grammy barrier. While the genre has enjoyed worldwide dominance for years, it was largely overlooked by music's biggest award show until this historic night.
A Landmark Night for K-Pop at the Grammys
The spotlight shone brightly on two phenomenal artists: Rose of the supergroup BLACKPINK and the brilliant songwriter Ejae. Until now, BTS held the distinction of being the only K-Pop act to ever receive a Grammy nomination. This year, however, Rose and Ejae have proudly added a new, glorious page to the history books by securing spots in the coveted Song of the Year and Record of the Year categories.
BLACKPINK's Rose Earns Groundbreaking Nominations
BLACKPINK’s Rose did not just become a first-time Grammy nominee; she carved her name in history as the first Korean soloist ever to earn nominations in the top categories. Her hit single 'APT', a powerful collaboration with Bruno Mars, earned her an incredible three nominations. These are for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
The track itself was a global sensation, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and establishing itself as one of the most significant cross-genre collaborations of the year. This achievement marks a pivotal moment for Korean artists on the global stage.
Songwriter Ejae Strikes Gold with Animated Hit
Joining Rose in this Grammy revolution is Ejae, a powerhouse songwriter known for penning hits for major K-Pop acts like Red Velvet, Aespa, Twice, and Le Sserafim. With her first solo track, 'Golden', she struck gold, earning three Grammy nominations. The song is featured in the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' and is performed by the fictional girl group HUNTR/X.
'Golden' is nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Song Written for Visual Media. Its chart performance was nothing short of spectacular, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks and earning multiple Perfect All-Kills (PAKs) in South Korea. It also secured the No. 1 spot on both the Billboard 200 and Global 200 charts.
HUNTR/X: The Fictional Group Chasing a Real Grammy
In an unprecedented turn of events, the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X has also made history. They became the first animated act ever to top the Billboard Hot 100, blurring the lines between fiction and reality with their massive success.
At the Grammys, “Golden” gives HUNTR/X a shot at its first Grammy win. Due to award rules, only the songwriters Ejae and Mark Sonnenblick are officially nominated. However, it is the fictional group that has captured the imagination of fans worldwide, who will undoubtedly be rooting for them on music's biggest night.
This year's nominations are more than just personal triumphs for Rose and Ejae; they represent a seismic shift. They signal that the Grammys are finally acknowledging the immense talent and global impact of the K-Pop industry, opening doors for future artists from the genre.
