Get ready for a groundbreaking moment in music history! The 2026 Grammy Awards nominations are here, and they're making waves with an all-female K-pop takeover!
On Friday, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards nominations were unveiled, and several K-pop artists and a global girl group stole the spotlight with their impressive nods in top categories. But here's where it gets controversial... they're all women, and this is a first for the Grammys!
The chart-topping success of "KPop Demon Hunters" earlier this year has led to nominations for its iconic song "Golden" in the prestigious Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance categories. The song, performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, has become an anthem for the hit film and showcases the incredible talent of these female artists.
And the nominations keep coming! BLACKPINK's ROSÉ, alongside Bruno Mars, has earned nods for Song of the Year and Record of the Year with their hit "APT." This dynamic duo is also up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. But wait, there's more! LA-based global girl group KATSEYE, inspired by K-pop superstars, has received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. It's an exciting time for female-led K-pop groups!
With these nominations, these women have the potential to make history by taking home the coveted Golden Gramophone Award in February. No K-pop artist has ever won a Grammy before, so this is a huge moment for the genre and its female artists. Until now, BTS was the only K-pop group to have earned a Grammy nomination, but the tide is turning!
"Golden" has been a force to be reckoned with, written by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick. It currently sits at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with an impressive 19 weeks on the list and counting. According to Billboard, "Golden" topped the Hot 100 list for eight consecutive weeks and has reigned supreme on the Billboard Global 200 for 14 straight weeks. It's a testament to the song's popularity and the talent of its creators.
EJAE, the singer-songwriter behind "KPop Demon Hunters," shared an interesting story about how the hit song "Golden" came to be. She told GMA that the song was written quickly while she was on her way to the dentist! It just goes to show that inspiration can strike at any moment.
The film "KPop Demon Hunters" follows the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X, comprised of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, who use their secret identities as demon hunters to protect their fans. The voices behind these characters are Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo, respectively. It's a unique concept that has captured the hearts of many fans.
"APT.," the collaboration between ROSÉ and Mars, has also been a massive hit since its release in October 2024. It debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard Global Charts. The catchy tune has earned them an MTV Video Music Award for Song of the Year earlier this year.
As for KATSEYE, it's an extraordinary achievement for a girl group, especially a global one, to be nominated in major Grammy categories. Formed through the reality competition series "Dream Academy" in 2023, the group has risen to fame with their catchy songs like "Gnarly" and "Gabriela" from their 2025 EP "BEAUTIFUL CHAOS." They are part of HYBE Entertainment, a label known for its fan-favorite K-pop artists, including BTS, LE SSERAFIM, and New Jeans.
The excitement was palpable when several KATSEYE members took to Instagram to share their reactions to the group's Grammy nominations. Their joy and disbelief were evident in their posts, with comments like "TWO NOMS???" and "I CAN'T STOP CRYING."
Apart from the K-pop sensation, the Broadway musical "Maybe Happy Ending," a South Korean production with lyrics by Hue Park, has earned a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. The show swept the 2025 Tonys in June, winning six awards, including Best Musical, Book, Score, Actor in a Leading Role, Direction, and Scenic Design. If the musical wins, Park will share the award with the principal vocalists and co-producers.
The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It's an event not to be missed, as history could be made with these groundbreaking nominations. Who will take home the Golden Gramophone Awards? Stay tuned and join the conversation! What are your thoughts on these nominations? Do you think these female K-pop artists and groups deserve their place in the spotlight? Let us know in the comments!
