K-pop Women Lead 2026 Grammy Nominations
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards have highlighted K-pop’s impressive rise to global acclaim, especially among female artists. Several prominent women in the genre received nominations in key categories, showcasing their talents and contributions to contemporary music.
K-pop Women Lead 2026 Grammy Nominations
This year, the K-pop universe is shining brightly at the Grammy Awards. The nominations were revealed on Friday, emphasizing the significant role of female artists in this vibrant musical genre.
Major Nominations
- KPop Demon Hunters: Nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Golden,” featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.
- BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ: Nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for her collaboration “APT” with Bruno Mars.
- KATSEYE: A global girl group nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
These nominations represent a historic moment, as no K-pop artist has previously won a Grammy. Until now, BTS was the only K-pop act with a Grammy nomination.
Impact of “Golden”
The song “Golden,” written by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick, has achieved remarkable success. Currently, it ranks No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has spent 19 weeks on the list, including eight weeks at the top. Additionally, it continues to dominate the Billboard Global 200, holding the No. 1 spot for 14 consecutive weeks.
EJAE shared her creative process, revealing that the melody for “Golden” came to her during a trip to the dentist. According to her, the song’s lyrics and melody flowed quickly, illustrating the collaborative spirit of the project.
KATSEYE’s Rise in the Industry
KATSEYE has made waves since its inception in 2023 through the reality show “Dream Academy.” The group, composed of Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Yoonchae, and Megan, is signed under HYBE Entertainment, which also manages renowned K-pop acts.
The girls expressed their joy over their Grammy nominations via Instagram, with members sharing their excitement and disbelief over receiving two nominations.
Broadway’s K-pop Connection
In a diverse representation of the arts, the South Korean musical “Maybe Happy Ending,” featuring lyrics by Hue Park, received a nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. This musical, which won multiple awards at the 2025 Tonys, could further unite K-pop and global music fans.
Looking Forward
The 68th Grammy Awards will be hosted on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. As the world watches, the anticipation grows for these talented women to potentially make Grammy history.
