K-pop Makes History: BTS, BLACKPINK, and More Submit for 2026 Grammys

The K-pop industry is making its boldest Grammy push yet. From BTS members Jin and j-hope to all four BLACKPINK members pursuing solo recognition, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards could mark a watershed moment for Korean music on the global stage. With nominations dropping November 7, here’s your complete guide to K-pop’s Grammy journey.

2026 Grammys Timeline

BLACKPINK’s Solo Era Shines

The BLACKPINK members are dominating submissions with their individual projects, proving the group’s solo ventures are Grammy-worthy.

Rosé leads with her album “rosie” submitted across multiple prestigious categories including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. Her viral collaboration “APT.” appears in five categories, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, making it one of the most-submitted K-pop tracks this cycle.

Jennie’s album “Ruby” enters the Album of the Year race alongside Best Pop Vocal Album. Her single “like JENNIE” competes for Record and Song of the Year, while tracks like “Damn Right” showcase her R&B versatility.

Lisa brings her bold “Alter Ego” album into Album of the Year contention, with “Born Again” submitted for multiple categories. Her provocative “Fxck Up The World” aims for Best Rap Performance—a category rarely pursued by K-pop artists.

Jisoo rounds out the quartet with “Earthquake” competing for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video, demonstrating her artistic growth beyond BLACKPINK.

BTS Members Go Solo

Jin’s heartfelt album “Echo” enters the Album of the Year category, with lead single “Don’t Say You Love Me” competing across Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance.

j-hope returns with “Sweet Dreams” targeting Record and Song of the Year. His collaboration “Killin It Girl” and solo track “Mona Lisa” showcase his versatility across multiple Grammy categories.

Rising Fourth-Gen Contenders

TWICE aims high with their “Strategy” album competing for Album of the Year. The title track appears in four categories, while “Superstars” enters Best Melodic Rap Performance—highlighting the group’s genre experimentation.

SEVENTEEN submits “Spill the Feels” for Album of the Year, with “Thunder” targeting Record and Song of the Year. Their collaboration “Love, Money, Fame” competes in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

KATSEYE enters the Best New Artist race while their tracks “Gabriela” and “Gnarly” compete across multiple categories, representing the new generation of global pop acts.

ENHYPEN, ATEEZ, and aespa all pursue Best New Artist recognition, potentially making 2026 the year K-pop’s fourth generation gains major Grammy acknowledgment.

The “KPop Demon Hunters” Phenomenon

Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack makes impressive submissions, with “Golden” competing for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The full soundtrack enters Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media and Album of the Year—proving K-pop’s cinematic influence extends to awards consideration.

What These Submissions Mean

This year’s submissions represent K-pop’s most comprehensive Grammy campaign yet. Rather than relying solely on group submissions, the industry is showcasing individual artistry, diverse genres, and strategic category selection.

The spread across categories—from traditional pop to rap, R&B, and visual media—demonstrates K-pop’s evolution beyond a single genre label. Artists are competing in categories traditionally dominated by Western acts, signaling confidence in their global standing.

The Road to February 1

While submissions don’t guarantee nominations, they represent official entry into Grammy consideration. Recording Academy members will vote October 3-15, with nominations announced November 7. The months between nominations and the February 1 ceremony will be filled with anticipation, campaigning, and potential history-making moments.

For more K-pop news and entertainment updates, check out our latest K-pop coverage and trending music news.

A Historic Opportunity

The 68th Grammy Awards marks the Recording Academy’s final telecast before relocating to Disney, adding historic significance to this year’s ceremony. For K-pop artists, it’s an opportunity to cement their place in music history during a transitional moment for the Grammys themselves.

Whether these submissions result in nominations and wins remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: K-pop’s Grammy presence has never been stronger or more diverse.

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