The 68th Annual Grammy Awards nominations were announced on Friday, highlighting a significant moment for K-pop. Several female K-pop artists and a global girl group received nominations in major categories, marking a historic achievement for women in the genre.

The animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" has made waves this year, earning nominations for its hit song "Golden" in the Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance categories. The song features the voices of EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, who portray the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X in the film.

BLACKPINK's ROSÉ also received nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on the track "APT." The duo is additionally nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Another notable contender is the Los Angeles-based girl group KATSEYE, which has drawn inspiration from K-pop superstars. They earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The group, formed through the reality competition series "Dream Academy" in 2023, has gained popularity with songs like "Gnarly" and "Gabriela" from their 2025 EP "BEAUTIFUL CHAOS."

KATSEYE members expressed their excitement on Instagram after the nominations were revealed. Daniela Avanzini posted, "TWO NOMS???????" while Manon Bannerman shared, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE'RE NOMINATED FOR 2 GRAMMYS I CAN'T STOP CRYING."

This year's nominations are particularly significant as no K-pop artist has ever won a Grammy. Until now, BTS was the only K-pop group to receive a Grammy nomination. The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Arena in Los Angeles.

In addition to K-pop, the South Korean musical "Maybe Happy Ending," featuring lyrics by Hue Park, received a nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. The show previously won six awards at the 2025 Tonys, including Best Musical and Best Score. If it wins the Grammy, Park will share the award with principal vocalists and co-producers involved in the project.

The nominations reflect a growing recognition of K-pop and its influence on the global music scene, particularly among female artists. The upcoming Grammy Awards could mark a turning point for K-pop in the industry.