Grammys 2026: BLACKPINK’s Rosé’s APT. snub sparks discussion over BTS connection

Grammys 2026: BLACKPINK’s Rosé’s APT. snub sparks discussion over BTS connection

• Rosé and Bruno Mars' APT. earned major Grammy nominations for K-pop
• Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
• Fans compared Rosé's loss to BTS's previous Grammy near-miss

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The 68th Grammy Awards once again placed K-pop at the center of global music conversations, this time not just for its nominations, but for a renewed debate over the genre’s long-standing relationship with the Recording Academy.

This year marked one of K-pop’s strongest showings yet at the Grammys, with KPop Demon Hunters and BLACKPINK’s Rosé earning multiple nominations across major categories. Rosé’s collaboration with Bruno Mars, APT., was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year, making her one of the most prominently nominated K-pop artists in Grammys history.

Ahead of the televised ceremony, the Grammys announced winners for several categories during the Premiere Ceremony, including Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The category featured a competitive lineup: HUNTR/X’s Golden from KPop Demon Hunters (performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami), KATSEYE’s Gabriela, Rosé and Bruno Mars’ APT., SZA featuring Kendrick Lamar’s 30 for 30, and Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s Defying Gravity.

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The award ultimately went to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande,an outcome that quickly sparked conversation online, extending beyond Rosé’s loss to revive memories of BTS’s Grammy journey.

In 2021, BTS made history as the first K-pop act to receive a Grammy nomination with Dynamite in the same category. Fans had hoped the group would also secure a landmark win, but the trophy went to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for Rain On Me. With Ariana Grande now once again winning in the category over a K-pop contender, some fans drew parallels between the two moments. This reignited discussions around near-misses and historic “first win” narratives.

Despite the disappointment surrounding the snub, many fans also expressed support and congratulations for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s win.