K-Pop’s Grammy Breakthrough: A Fictional Group vs. BLACKPINK’s Rosé in a Historic Race
For the first time ever, K-pop stands on the verge of Grammy glory—but in a twist no one saw coming, the frontrunners include a fictional group. HUNTR/X, the animated stars of Netflix’s record-shattering film KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, are reportedly competing against BLACKPINK’s Rosé for K-pop’s inaugural Grammy nomination. And this is the part most people miss: both acts are vying for the same prestigious categories, setting the stage for a cultural milestone.
The Contenders and Their Submissions
The 68th Grammy Awards, airing February 1, 2026, will announce nominations on November 7. According to Yonhap News, Rosé’s Bruno Mars-collab ‘APT.’ and HUNTR/X’s ‘Golden’ have been submitted for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Meanwhile, Rosé’s album ‘ROSIE’ (featuring ‘APT.’) and the KPOP DEMON HUNTERS soundtrack are competing for Album of the Year.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Should a fictional group—voiced by real artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—be eligible against living, breathing K-pop idols? Some argue it’s a brilliant nod to K-pop’s global storytelling power, while purists insist Grammys should honor human performers. Where do you stand?
Why This Race Matters
Rosé’s ‘APT.’ is a record-smashing phenomenon: the first solo K-pop track to hit 2 billion YouTube views, a VMA Song of the Year win (another K-pop first), and a spot in NME’s Top 50 Songs of 2024. Critics praise its genius interpolation of Toni Basil’s ‘Mickey’ and its funky, chant-along chorus. Meanwhile, ‘Golden’ rides the hype of KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, now Netflix’s most-watched film ever, with show-stopping live performances on SNL and Jimmy Fallon.
The Wider K-Pop Grammy Push
They’re not alone: SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, aespa, and even soloists like BTS’s RM have submissions this year. Yet, Rosé and HUNTR/X dominate headlines. Is the Recording Academy finally ready to embrace K-pop? Or will genre biases persist? Recall Beyoncé’s historic Country Album win this year—proof that boundaries can break.
Grammy Rule Changes & Drama
The 2026 Grammys introduce major shifts, including split Country categories (Traditional vs. Contemporary) and a new Best Album Cover award. But the elephant in the room: Should animated acts compete with traditional artists? After Kendrick Lamar’s sweep and Charli XCX’s dance-pop dominance, the Grammys seem open to risk-taking. Will that extend to K-pop—real or fictional?
Let’s debate: Is HUNTR/X’s nomination a win for innovation… or a gimmick? And can Rosé overcome the Academy’s long-standing reluctance toward K-pop? Sound off below!
