The moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived: the Grammy Awards have recognized K-pop, marking a historic milestone in the music industry. The phenomenal track "Golden" by KPop Demon Hunters has made history by winning in the Written for Visual Media category, representing a significant achievement for the genre.
Notably, "Golden," which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 charts throughout much of the summer, didn’t just stop there. It also received nominations for Song of the Year, with its co-writer Mark Sonnenblick earning his own nomination in addition to recognition in the Pop Duo/Group Performance category.
EJAE, the songwriter and vocal talent behind KPop Demon Hunters, expressed immense pride in her Korean heritage during the press events at the 2026 Grammys. "I’m so, so proud to be Korean. When I was growing up, many people didn’t even know where Korea was or what it represented. To see 'Golden' being sung across the globe, with audiences singing along to the Korean lyrics, is truly incredible," she shared.
She continued by emphasizing the importance of this award, stating, "This recognition represents visibility for our culture. Today is about celebrating the music that brings various cultures together, something we desperately need right now. It’s an amazing honor to receive this."
Additionally, the David Guetta remix of "Golden" earned a nomination for Best Remixed Recording, while the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack itself was nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. This nomination for Song of the Year marks a groundbreaking moment as it is the first time a K-pop group's song has been acknowledged in this prestigious general field. Furthermore, Rosé, a member of Blackpink, made waves as the first K-pop artist ever nominated in the general field for her track "APT," which also received nominations for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Rosé shone brightly at the ceremony, opening the Grammy telecast with a captivating performance alongside Bruno Mars. Their rendition of "APT" electrified the audience, showcasing attendees dancing enthusiastically in the front rows.
As a pioneering figure in the global K-pop scene, Rosé has achieved milestones that few artists can claim. She is the first K-pop star to earn a general field nomination, the first Korean soloist to achieve such honors, and the first to perform solo at the Grammy Awards. She joins the ranks of BTS as one of the few K-pop artists to grace the stage at this premier event.
Her hit single "APT" has been instrumental in launching her solo career, securing an impressive 45-week run on the Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album, titled Rosie, featuring "APT" as its lead single, was released in December 2024 and made a strong debut at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.
KPop Demon Hunters has emerged as Netflix’s most popular title ever, following the adventures of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group composed of three members who also battle monsters from the underworld. Alongside its chart-topping Netflix success, the show's soundtrack has consistently been a top contender on the Billboard 200. Reports from August indicated that discussions were underway for a sequel film between Netflix and Sony Animation. Just last year, it was confirmed that both the directors and studio had finalized their agreements with the streaming giant for the upcoming installment.
Despite numerous nominations for BTS over the years, the Grammys had not previously awarded any K-pop acts prior to this Sunday. This ceremony represents a major victory for K-pop's influence in the U.S. market. If the past decade has taught us anything, it's that K-pop's rising popularity is here to stay.
