BLACKPINK's ROSÉ and 'KPop Demon Hunters' make Grammy history with groundbreaking nominations

K-pop just earned a defining moment on the world’s biggest music stage. At the upcoming 68th Grammy Awards on 1 February 2026, ROSÉ of BLACKPINK and the animated musical project KPop Demon Hunters are making history, each landing major nominations.

ROSÉ, who released the Bruno Mars-produced single ‘APT.’, has earned nominations in three of the most competitive categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. This makes her the first K-pop artist to be nominated as a main performer in two of the Grammys' “Big Four” categories, a feat that cements her status as a solo artist beyond the girl group spotlight. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars has been praised for its retro-funk polish and emotional depth, showcasing a new sonic side to the BLACKPINK member.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by ROSÉ (@roses_are_rosie)

On the other side of the K-pop spectrum, the animated feature KPop Demon Hunters is also turning heads — and breaking records. Its fictional pop group HUNTR/X — voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — has secured five nominations. Their track ‘Golden’ is nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best Song Written for Visual Media, while the film’s full soundtrack is up for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. A David Guetta remix of ‘Golden’ also landed a nod for Best Remixed Recording.

Blending K-pop aesthetics with Hollywood animation, KPop Demon Hunters has resonated with fans worldwide, proving that even fictional groups can dominate real-world charts and awards. The nominations reflect the growing influence of multimedia projects in shaping modern pop music, and how K-pop's reach now extends beyond idol groups into storytelling and cinematic worlds.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by EJAE (@ejae_k)

Both ROSÉ and KPop Demon Hunters are redefining what success looks like for K-pop and Asian artists on the global stage. These nominations go beyond token “Global” categories — they mark the genre’s presence in the heart of Western pop culture. For fans in Asia and beyond, this is a moment of pride and a sign that Korean and Asian pop music is finally being acknowledged not just for its popularity, but for its artistic and cultural impact.