First K-pop hit to reach Grammy's top category

The 68th Grammy nominations have just been announced, marking a historic milestone for Korean music when the song APT. by Rosé (Blackpink) and Bruno Mars appeared in three of the most important categories.

Rosé (Blackpink) and Bruno Mars in the MV 'APT.'

Notably, Rosé became the first K-pop artist in history to receive nominations in the 'big four' categories - the largest award group, which has long been considered the 'peak' that few Asian artists have reached.

Released on October 18, 2024 as the lead single to her solo album Rosie , APT. quickly exploded with over 1.5 billion streams across platforms in less than a month.

The song's title comes from a traditional Korean drinking game, often played at friends' gatherings – a seemingly small cultural detail that has become an addictive 'mantra' on TikTok with billions of views under the hashtag #APTchallenge.

The song's funky, disco-punk melody, short, repetitive lyrics of “Apt, apt, apt, apt…” and chorus turned it into a pop culture phenomenon.

International critics have hailed APT. as a global viral phenomenon. NME magazine rated it 5/5 stars: 'A brilliant banger bursting with joyful energy, from its pulsing pop-rock beat to its infectious chant chorus'.

Rosé became the first K-pop artist in history to receive nominations in the 'big four' categories.

Before Rosé, no K-pop artist had ever won the four main Grammy categories (Album, Record, Song, and New Artist of the Year). BTS, despite being nominated eight times, only stopped at the secondary categories. APT. 's simultaneous appearance in Song and Record of the Year – the two most important awards – was not only a personal victory for Rosé but also a turning point for the entire K-pop industry.

When asked about her feelings about bringing home the Grammy golden trumpet, Rosé emotionally shared: 'For me, it's still just a dream. It's still a fantasy - a moment to prove a lot of things to myself'.

The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026 (US time) at the Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles (USA), broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+. With 15,000 Academy members voting for 20,000 works in 95 categories, this is still the most prestigious award on the planet when musicians honor musicians.

Some of the 68th Grammy nomination categories

Album of the Year

DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS - Bad Bunny

SWAG - Justin Bieber

Man's Best Friend - Sabrina Carpenter

Let God Sort Em Out - Clipse, Pusha T & Malice

MAYHEM - Lady Gaga

GNX - Kendrick Lamar

MUTT - Leon Thomas

CHROMAKOPIA - Tyler, The Creator

Record of the Year

DtMF - Bad Bunny

Manchild - Sabrina Carpenter

Anxiety - Doechii

WILDFLOWER - Billie Eilish

Abracadabra - Lady Gaga

Luther - Kendrick Lamar and SZA

The Subway - Chappell Road

APT. - Rosé and Bruno Mars

Song of the Year

Abracadabra - Lady Gaga

Anxiety - Doechii

APT. - Rosé and Bruno Mars

DtMF - Bad Bunny

Golden - EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI

Luther - Kendrick Lamar and SZA

Manchild - Sabrina Carpenter

WILDFLOWER - Billie Eilish

Best New Artist

Olivia Dean

KATSEYE

The Marias

Addison Rae

Sombr

Leon Thomas

Alex Warren

Lola Young

According to VNA

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/ban-hit-k-pop-dau-tien-cham-den-nhom-giai-dinh-cao-cua-grammy-526093.html