K-pop might win at the Grammys for the first time
AP News••entertainment
Key Points:
- For the first time, K-pop artists or K-pop-adjacent acts have been nominated in the Grammy Awards' big four categories for 2026, including Rosé of Blackpink for Record of the Year and Katseye for Best New Artist.
- Experts note these nominations reflect a "hybrid" or globalized version of K-pop, often featuring mostly English lyrics and Western collaborations, rather than traditional Korean-language K-pop productions.
- The recognition comes amid a perceived lull in U.S. pop music in 2025, with some analysts suggesting the Recording Academy is looking beyond domestic acts due to a lack of major new hits.
- Industry insiders view the nominations as a sign that K-pop has become an integral part of mainstream global pop
