With the first-round voting for the 68th Grammy Awards now concluded, excitement builds around K-pop’s prospect of achieving historic success at this prestigious event. The Grammys, hosted by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences since 1959, signify the pinnacle of recognition in the American music industry. Yet, despite K-pop’s rising global influence, no K-pop artist has received a Grammy award to date.
K-pop’s Hopeful Contenders for the 68th Grammy Awards
This year’s eligibility window for the 68th Grammys spans from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025. It has showcased some of K-pop’s most successful records. Key contenders include:
- BLACKPINK’s Rosé with the single “APT.”
- “Golden” from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters.
Both songs aim for nominations in two highly sought-after categories: Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Their albums, “Rosie” and KPop Demon Hunters, are also in the running for Album of the Year.
Additional Categories and Notable Entries
“APT.” is also competing for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video. Meanwhile, “Golden” targets multiple categories including Best Remixed Recording and Best Song Written for Visual Media.
The momentum behind “Golden,” largely driven by the popularity of the corresponding animation, has intensified the optimism surrounding its nomination. The track has made significant impacts on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Chart.
Other K-pop Stars Join the Competition
Several other prominent K-pop acts are vying for Grammy recognition in various categories. In the Record of the Year category, submissions include:
- BLACKPINK’s “JUMP”
- Jennie’s “Like JENNIE”
- Lisa’s “Born Again”
- BTS member Jin’s “Don’t Say You Love Me”
- RM featuring Megan Thee Stallion on “Never Play”
- J-Hope’s “Sweet Dreams”
- Seventeen’s “Thunder”
- TXT’s “Beautiful Strangers”
- KATSEYE’s “Gabriela”
- TWICE’s “Strategy”
- Stray Kids’ “Walking On Water”
In addition, the following tracks are contestants for Album of the Year:
- Jennie’s “RUBY”
- Lisa’s “Alter Ego”
- Seventeen’s “SPILL THE FEELS”
- TXT’s “The Star Chapter: TOGETHER”
- TWICE’s “Strategy”
- Stray Kids’ “HOP”
K-pop groups KATSEYE, aespa, and Ateez also compete for Best New Artist, while other entries in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category include:
- IVE’s “XOXZ”
- Le Sserafim’s “HOT”
- Ateez’s “In Your Fantasy”
- RIIZE’s “Fly Up”
The Road Ahead for K-pop
Historically, only two Korean artists have walked away with Grammy wins: soprano Sumi Jo and recording engineer Hwang Byeong-joon. K-pop, however, continues to seek its place in this prestigious awards landscape, despite BTS’s numerous nominations in past years.
Last year marked a significant disappointment, as not a single K-pop act received a nomination. The absence of nominations stirred controversy over whether the Recording Academy had overlooked K-pop, given its undeniable commercial success.
Now, as the first-round voting closes, K-pop fans await the announcement of final nominees on November 7. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Observers remain hopeful that this year could be pivotal for K-pop’s recognition at the Grammys.
