KPop Demon Hunters has finally made history at the Grammy Awards, marking a pivotal moment for K-pop on an international stage. The hit song "Golden," performed by KPop Demon Hunters, has clinched the genre's inaugural Grammy win in the written for visual media category. This achievement is particularly significant, considering that K-pop has been gaining immense global popularity but had yet to receive recognition from one of music’s most prestigious award ceremonies.
In addition to its triumph in the written for visual media category, "Golden" also received nominations for song of the year, with co-writer Mark Sonnenblick recognized for his contributions. Moreover, the track was up for awards in both the pop duo/group performance and song of the year categories, showcasing its widespread acclaim.
"I am incredibly proud to represent Korea. Growing up, many people were unaware of where Korea was or what it represented. Therefore, it's truly remarkable to see ‘Golden’ being celebrated around the world, with audiences singing along to the Korean lyrics," expressed EJAE, the songwriter and vocalist behind KPop Demon Hunters, during a press conference at the 2026 Grammy ceremony.
She emphasized the importance of the award as a symbol of representation, stating, "This moment is about celebrating music and culture that brings people together, which is something we desperately need in today’s world. It’s an immense honor to receive this recognition."
Adding to the accolades, the David Guetta remix of "Golden" was nominated for best remixed recording at the 2026 Grammys. Additionally, KPop Demon Hunters’ soundtrack was nominated for best compilation soundtrack for visual media. Notably, the song of the year nomination signifies a groundbreaking moment, as it is the first time a song by a K-pop group has been recognized in the general field of the Grammy Awards. Blackpink's Rosé also made history by becoming the first K-pop artist nominated in this category for her song "APT," which was also recognized in the song of the year and record of the year categories.
Rosé's performance as the opening act of the Grammy telecast captivated audiences, as she shared the stage with Bruno Mars for a high-energy rendition of "APT." Their performance left the crowd electrified, showcasing a vibrant atmosphere with many attendees dancing along in the front rows.
As a key figure in promoting K-pop globally, Rosé has achieved remarkable milestones, including being the first K-pop artist to be nominated in the general field, the first Korean soloist nominated, and the first Korean soloist to perform at the Grammy Awards. She joins BTS as one of the few K-pop artists to grace the stage at this major music event.
Her single "APT" has propelled her solo career to new heights, remaining on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 45 weeks. The song was the lead single from her debut album "Rosie," which was released in December 2024 and debuted at an admirable No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.
KPop Demon Hunters stands out as Netflix’s most popular title to date, following the adventures of Huntrix, a K-pop girl group of three members who double as demon fighters. In addition to topping Netflix charts, its soundtrack has consistently performed well, spending several weeks in the top 10 of the Billboard 200. Recently, there have been discussions about a sequel film in collaboration between Netflix and Sony Animation, following confirmation of deals for the next installment late last year.
Despite multiple nominations over the years for BTS, the Grammy Awards had previously not honored the K-pop phenomenon until now. The latest ceremony marks a significant victory for K-pop's presence in the U.S. market, underscoring the reality that K-pop is not just a fleeting trend—its popularity is firmly established and here to stay.
