Grammys Embrace K-Pop: 'Golden,' 'APT.,' and CATS EYE Secure Historic Nominations

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards' final nominations have been unveiled, marking a historic moment as K-pop artists and songs secured an unprecedented number of nods.

The soundtrack 'Golden' from the Netflix animation ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ earned a remarkable five nominations, including the prestigious 'Song of the Year,' signaling K-pop's significant advancement.

Lee Jae, the artist behind the lyrics, composition, and vocals for 'Golden' portraying the virtual girl group Huntrix's member Lumi, expressed his overwhelming emotion, stating, "Being nominated for a Grammy, especially for 'Song of the Year,' surpasses all my dreams."

Rosé of BLACKPINK made history with her duet with pop superstar Bruno Mars, 'APT. (AmPm PM)', receiving nominations in three categories, including two in the 'General Fields': 'Song of the Year' and 'Record of the Year.' This follows their groundbreaking win for 'Song of the Year' at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, the first for a K-pop act.

Furthermore, CATS EYE, a rising girl group formed through a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records, surprised many by being nominated for 'Best New Artist,' one of the Grammy's most esteemed awards. With K-pop acts dominating over half the nominations in 'Best Pop Duo/Group Performance,' this year's Grammy nominations are being hailed as the dawn of a new era for K-pop.

Global media outlets are hailing this as a pivotal moment, with the LA Times noting it "suggests an acceptance of K-pop as a significant part of pop music." Forbes, previously critical of the Grammys' historical oversight of K-pop despite its global phenomenon status, stated, "While historical, it's not entirely surprising as both 'Golden' and 'APT.' were among the most successful songs during the eligibility period."