BLACKPINK member Rosé's hit collaboration "APT." with Bruno Mars and the track "Golden" from Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" have received nominations in major categories at the 68th Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Song of the Year category. The Recording Academy announced the complete list of nominees across 95 categories for the Grammy Awards ceremony, which will take place on February 1st at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Rosé's explosive hit "APT." earned three significant nominations, securing spots in Song of the Year and Record of the Year – two of the coveted "Big Six" general field categories that represent the Grammy Awards' most prestigious honors. The track also received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, highlighting the successful collaboration between the K-pop star and American pop sensation Bruno Mars.
Meanwhile, "Golden" from the Netflix animated series "KPop Demon Hunters" garnered an impressive four nominations across multiple categories. The song was recognized in Song of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Best Remixed Recording categories. Additionally, the film itself received a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, showcasing the comprehensive recognition of the project's musical achievements.
These nominations mark a historic moment for K-pop music on the global stage, representing the first Grammy nominations for the genre since the superband BTS received recognition in 2023 for "My Universe," their collaborative single with British rock band Coldplay. This achievement underscores the continued international expansion and recognition of Korean popular music.
Rosé's "APT." appears on her debut full-length solo album titled "rosie" and has achieved remarkable global success since its release. The track dominated major music charts both in South Korea and internationally, demonstrating the cross-cultural appeal of K-pop collaborations. The song's success was further validated when Rosé won Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards in the United States in September, adding to her growing collection of international accolades.
"Golden" represents a breakthrough achievement for K-pop representation in American entertainment, performed by Korean American artists Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami as members of the fictional girl group Huntr/x within the animated series. The track achieved a significant milestone by reaching the top positions on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the British Official Singles Chart Top 100, marking a rare achievement for K-pop music in Western markets.
The Grammy recognition extends beyond these individual tracks to include other Korean music industry connections. International girl group Katseye, operating under Hybe – the parent company of BigHit Music, which manages global superstars BTS – received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. This recognition highlights the expanding influence of Korean entertainment companies in developing international talent.
Additionally, the award-winning original musical "Maybe Happy Ending" earned a nomination for Best Musical Theater Album, further demonstrating Korean creative content's growing presence across various entertainment categories at the Grammy Awards.
The final round of voting to determine the Grammy winners will commence on December 12th and continue through January 5th, leading up to the February ceremony. These nominations represent not only individual artistic achievements but also the continued globalization of Korean popular culture and its increasing recognition by major international music industry institutions.
