K-pop Eyes Historic Grammy Win Amid Rising Anticipation

Los Angeles, CA — As first-round voting for the 68th Grammy Awards concluded Wednesday, excitement builds over whether K-pop, a rapidly growing music genre, could finally secure a win at the prestigious event. No K-pop act has ever won a Grammy since its inception in 1959, but this year, optimism is peaking.

The eligibility window for the 68th Grammys, which covers releases from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025, has witnessed K-pop’s most successful entries to date. Notably, BLACKPINK member Rosé is in the spotlight with her single, “APT.” This song is among the contenders for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, alongside the track “Golden” from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.”

Both tracks are also included in the running for Album of the Year, with Rosé’s album titled “Rosie” and the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack. “APT.” aims to clinch awards for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video, while “Golden” is submitted in various categories including Best Remixed Recording and Best Song Written for Visual Media.

The breakout success of “Golden,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Official Singles Chart for several consecutive weeks, has further fueled hopes that 2026 might finally be K-pop’s year for a Grammy. A diverse lineup of K-pop entries has emerged, ranging from BLACKPINK’s “JUMP” to Jennie’s “Like JENNIE,” Lisa’s “Born Again,” and BTS member Jin’s “Don’t Say You Love Me.”

Despite K-pop’s global dominance and commercial success, only two Korean artists, soprano Sumi Jo and recording engineer Hwang Byeong-joon, have won Grammy awards in the past. BTS, who had multiple nominations, failed to win during their recent run in the early 2020s. Last year’s complete omission of K-pop acts raised questions about the Recording Academy’s recognition of the genre.

As observers await the final nominations announcement on November 7, the global music community remains keenly interested in whether K-pop will break through the Grammys’ glass ceiling. The 68th Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena, which could signify a pivotal moment for K-pop.