K-Pop's Global Domination Leaves One Question: Why No Grammys?

K-Pop Has Conquered the World — Why Hasn't It Taken the Grammys Yet? The Recording Academy's Grammy Awards have long been a benchmark of musical excellence in the United States. However, despite K-pop's meteoric rise to global stardom, the genre has yet to receive significant recognition at Music's Biggest Night. In recent years, K-pop has become an integral part of the American music landscape, with chart-topping songs and albums, sold-out stadium tours, and millions of devoted fans. The genre's popularity can be attributed in large part to the success of groups like BTS and Blackpink, as well as solo artists such as PSY and CL. However, despite its widespread influence, K-pop has been largely absent from the Grammys. According to a report by Billboard, K-pop artists have won only one Grammy Award since 2012, with BTS taking home Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Dynamite" in 2021. "We're thrilled that BTS was recognized by the Recording Academy," said a spokesperson for Big Hit Entertainment, the management company behind BTS. "However, we believe that K-pop's absence from the Grammys is not due to a lack of talent or dedication, but rather a lack of understanding and representation." Industry experts agree that the Grammys' voting process and eligibility requirements may be contributing factors to K-pop's exclusion. "The Grammys have traditionally been dominated by American artists and genres," said music critic and journalist, Neil McCormick. "While there are efforts being made to expand the global reach of the awards, it's clear that more work needs to be done to ensure that international artists are represented fairly." The Recording Academy has taken steps in recent years to increase diversity and representation at the Grammys. In 2024, new categories were introduced, including Best African Music Performance and Música Mexicana (formerly known as Best Regional Mexican Music Album). However, some argue that these efforts may not be enough to address the systemic issues facing K-pop artists. "While it's great to see the Recording Academy making an effort to expand its global reach, we need to do more to ensure that K-pop is recognized and celebrated," said K-pop fan and activist, Sophia Kim. "We're not just talking about a few awards or nominations – we're talking about representation, visibility, and opportunities for K-pop artists to break into the mainstream." As the music industry continues to evolve and globalize, it remains to be seen whether K-pop will finally receive the recognition it deserves at the Grammys. In the meantime, fans and artists are left wondering why a genre that has captured the hearts of millions around the world is still largely absent from Music's Biggest Night. *Reporting by Billboard.*