Rose BLACKPINK Makes History with 'APT' Alongside Bruno Mars Nominated for Grammy 2026

The most prestigious music awards event in the world, the Grammy Awards 2026, officially announced the list of nominees on November 7, 2025, local time. This year marks a historic moment for the South Korean music industry as several artists and K-pop projects have successfully penetrated various major categories from pop songs to film and musical theater soundtracks.

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1. Rose and Bruno Mars Enter the Main Category of the Grammy 2026

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One of the biggest achievements comes from Rose BLACKPINK who collaborated with Bruno Mars through the song "APT". The song successfully garnered prestigious nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, the two most prestigious categories at the Grammy.

In addition, "APT" is also on the list for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, competing with several big names from the global music industry. This cross-country collaboration between Rose and Bruno Mars is seen as a perfect blend of Western pop music and the distinctive character of K-pop that is increasingly global.

2. "K-Pop Demon Hunters" and KATSEYE Also Shine

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Not only Rose, the music project from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters also caught attention with the song "Golden", which is nominated for Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media. This soundtrack serves as proof that K-pop music is now not only thriving on the entertainment stage but also in the international film world.

Meanwhile, the global project group KATSEYE, formed through an international survival program, achieved remarkable success by being nominated for Best New Artist. This group also brought the song "Gabriela" into the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category, showcasing their great potential as newcomers in the global music scene.

3. "Maybe Happy Ending" Becomes the Representative of Korean Theater at the Grammys

Not only from the world of pop music, Korean musical theater has also made its mark in history. "Maybe Happy Ending," a South Korean musical that debuted on Broadway in 2024, has successfully made it to the nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. This achievement is proof that the creativity and quality of Korean theater productions are now recognized globally, on par with other renowned Broadway works.

4. Proof that K-Pop and the Korean Creative Industry are Becoming Global

This series of nominations marks an important milestone for Korean music and culture. Over the past few years, K-pop has continued to expand its influence in the global entertainment industry, but the entry of Korean artists and works into the main categories of the 2026 Grammys signifies a higher level of recognition.

From cross-cultural collaborations like Rose and Bruno Mars, to original productions like K-Pop Demon Hunters and Maybe Happy Ending, all of these show that the Korean entertainment industry is now not only popular but also world-class.

5. Grammy Awards 2026 Ready to Be Held in Early February

The Grammy Awards 2026 ceremony is scheduled to take place on February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, United States. With a number of Korean names nominated for the prestigious awards, the public is eager to see if this year will mark a new history for K-pop on the Grammy stage.

(kpl/saf)