November 7, 2025, marked a watershed moment for K-pop as the Grammy nominations revealed unprecedented representation. BLACKPINK’s Rosé made history as the first female K-pop idol with Grammy recognition, earning three nominations including two in the prestigious “Big Four” categories. Meanwhile, global girl group KATSEYE celebrated their Best New Artist nod. The twist? Both acts face off in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category—making this K-pop’s most exciting Grammy showdown yet.
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KATSEYE vs Rosé: Breaking Down the Historic Nominations
Rosé’s triple nomination positions her as K-pop’s most Grammy-recognized female soloist. Her collaboration with Bruno Mars, “APT,” earned spots in both Song of the Year and Record of the Year—both Big Four categories that represent music’s highest honors.
| Category | KATSEYE | Rosé | Competing Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best New Artist | ✓ Nominated | — | Olivia Dean, Addison Rae, Alex Warren, Lola Young, The Marias, Sombr, Leon Thomas |
| Song of the Year | — | ✓ “APT” (with Bruno Mars) | Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Doechii, HUNTR/X |
| Record of the Year | — | ✓ “APT” (with Bruno Mars) | Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar & SZA, Chappell Roan, Doechii |
| Best Pop Duo/Group | ✓ “Gabriela” | ✓ “APT” (with Bruno Mars) | Head-to-head battle + Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande, SZA with Kendrick Lamar, KPop Demon Hunters |
KATSEYE’s Best New Artist nomination recognizes the HYBE-formed group’s rapid global ascent since their 2024 debut. Their “Gabriela” earning a Pop Duo/Group Performance nod demonstrates the Recording Academy’s acknowledgment of emerging K-pop acts.
The APT Phenomenon Conquers the Grammys
“APT” has dominated 2025’s music landscape. The infectious track previously won Song of the Year at the 2025 MTV VMAs, making Rosé the first K-pop artist to claim a premier VMA category. Now facing Grammy voters, the song competes against industry heavyweights like Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s “Luther,” and Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower.”
What makes Rosé’s achievement extraordinary is the historical context. According to the Recording Academy, the Big Four categories (Album, Record, and Song of the Year, plus Best New Artist) represent music’s most competitive and prestigious honors. Rosé becomes the first Korean artist ever nominated in these categories—a barrier-breaking moment that validates K-pop’s artistic legitimacy on Western music’s biggest stage.
KATSEYE’s Global Validation
For KATSEYE, this Best New Artist nomination arrives just over a year after their formation through Netflix’s documentary series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. Competing against established names like Addison Rae and rising stars like Olivia Dean, the nomination confirms that global girl groups can achieve rapid recognition when talent meets strategic industry backing.
The Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category becomes particularly intriguing with K-pop representation from three different acts: Rosé, KATSEYE, and KPop Demon Hunters (the fictional group from Netflix’s animated feature whose song “Golden” earned recognition). This category showcases K-pop’s diverse impact, from established soloists to emerging groups to animated concept acts.
What This Means for K-Pop’s Future
Prior to this year, only BTS had earned Grammy nominations from the K-pop sphere, receiving Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nods three consecutive years (2021-2023) without winning. Rosé and KATSEYE’s nominations signal the Recording Academy’s expanding recognition of K-pop’s artistic range beyond boy bands.
Whether Rosé or KATSEYE takes home trophies matters less than the precedent set. Their nominations prove that female K-pop artists and newly formed groups can compete at music’s highest level. The Grammy Awards ceremony will broadcast globally, giving both acts massive promotional platforms regardless of wins.
The head-to-head matchup in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance creates fascinating dynamics. Will voters favor Rosé’s established star power and Bruno Mars collaboration, or KATSEYE’s fresh energy and underdog narrative? Either way, K-pop wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has any K-pop artist won a Grammy before?
No K-pop artist has won a Grammy yet. BTS came closest with three consecutive Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nominations (2021-2023) for “Dynamite,” “Butter,” and “My Universe” (with Coldplay) but didn’t win. They also received a Best Music Video nomination in 2023 for “Yet To Come.” Rosé and KATSEYE’s 2025 nominations represent K-pop’s best chance yet, especially with Rosé competing in the prestigious Big Four categories.
What are the Big Four Grammy categories?
The Big Four are the Recording Academy’s most prestigious categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. These awards are genre-neutral and represent overall excellence in music. Rosé’s nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year make her the first Korean artist ever recognized in Big Four categories, marking a historic achievement for K-pop’s global legitimacy and artistic recognition.
