โGoldenโ victory marks first Grammy for K-pop artists.
K-pop Makes Historic Grammy Breakthrough
K-pop has officially made history at the Grammy Awards. At the 68th Annual Grammys in Los Angeles, Golden, a track from Netflixโs animated film KPop Demon Hunters, won Best Song Written for Visual Media during the Premiere Ceremony. The songwriters EJAE, Teddy Park, 24, and IDO became the first K-pop figures to receive a Grammy, giving the genre its first-ever win on this global stage.
This achievement highlights K-popโs growing influence in the international music scene. Fans worldwide celebrated the milestone, which reflects not only the popularity of K-pop music but also the creative contributions of its artists to global media.
Nominations in Major Categories
While the victory was historic, K-pop did not claim any of the four General Field awards, which include Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best New Artist. Golden and BLACKPINKโs Rosรฉ collaboration with Bruno Mars, APT., were nominated for Song of the Year, with APT. also up for Record of the Year.
Despite strong fan support and critical acclaim, Billie Eilishโs Wildflower won Song of the Year, and Kendrick Lamar and SZAโs Luther took Record of the Year. Bad Bunnyโs Debi Tirar Mas Fotos won Album of the Year, becoming the first Spanish-language album to achieve this milestone.
Rosรฉ and Bruno Mars Spotlight
Rosรฉ and Bruno Marsโ performance of APT. during the main ceremony provided rare visibility for K-pop in the Grammy spotlight. The collaboration gained three nominationsโSong of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performanceโcementing its status as one of the most prominent K-pop entries in this yearโs event.
Fans praised the live performance, which showcased Rosรฉโs vocal skills and stage presence alongside Bruno Marsโ charisma. The high-profile collaboration also helped demonstrate K-popโs ability to blend seamlessly with global pop music, reinforcing its cultural relevance.
KATSEYE and New Artist Recognition
HYBE Labelsโ U.S.-based girl group KATSEYE also made an impact by earning a Best New Artist nomination, putting them in one of the Grammyโs top four General Field categories. Although rookie British singer Olivia Dean ultimately won the award, KATSEYE performed their hit Gnarly during the ceremony and were nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Gabriela.
This level of recognition for a K-pop group highlights the genreโs international reach and the increasing attention of the Recording Academy towards non-Western artists. It reflects how global fan engagement now plays a critical role in shaping award outcomes.
Industry Experts on K-popโs Growing Presence
Industry analysts praised the Premiere Ceremony win while noting the absence of General Field wins. Music critic Kim Do-heon emphasized that the award for Golden, a songwriter-centered category, underscores the creative talent within K-pop.
Culture critic Jung Duk-hyun explained that while the Grammys traditionally focus on musical completeness and public popularity, the presence of K-pop nominations demonstrates the growing importance of global fandom culture in contemporary music evaluation.
โMusic is no longer separable from fandom culture,โ Jung said. โK-pop winning a Grammy at all shows that the awards are starting to recognize how deeply fans influence todayโs music industry.โ
Future Prospects for K-pop at the Grammys
Although K-pop did not capture a General Field award, the milestone win marks a turning point for the genre. Multiple nominations, international collaborations, and a visible performance during the main ceremony indicate that K-pop is steadily earning credibility within the global music industry.
Experts believe that K-popโs growing artistic influence and the dedication of its fanbase could pave the way for future recognition in Grammyโs highest categories. For now, Goldenโs win represents an important step toward broader acceptance and long-term visibility for Korean pop music on the world stage.
