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Grammys Create New Category for Asian Pop, Sparking Debate
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Grammys Create New Category for Asian Pop, Sparking Debate

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Grammy Awards will introduce a new category for 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' starting in 2026, recognizing K-pop and other Asian pop music.
  • While this move acknowledges the global influence of K-pop, some critics worry it segregates Asian artists from mainstream competition.
  • The Recording Academy is also adding other new categories, including Best Latin Song and Best R&B Collaboration.

The Grammy Awards are set to recognize the growing global influence of K-pop and other Asian pop music by introducing a new category for 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' beginning with the 69th annual awards ceremony in 2026.

The new category will encompass pop music primarily sung in Asian languages, including K-pop, J-pop, and C-pop. The Recording Academy stated that this award is intended to cover Asian popular music broadly, rather than being limited to a specific country or genre. This marks the first time the Grammys have established a dedicated category for Asian popular music, following a statement by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. in January that highlighted Asian pop as a significant trend in the global music industry.

This development is expected to increase the chances of K-pop artists winning a Grammy. Previously, groups like BTS and BLACKPINK have received nominations in major categories but have not secured wins. The establishment of a dedicated category could provide more opportunities for these artists.

The new category is not limited to a specific country or genre but encompasses Asian popular music as a whole.

— Recording AcademyExplaining the scope of the 'Best Asian Pop Music Performance' award.

However, the decision has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters view it as a formal acknowledgment of K-pop and Asian popular music's international standing. Conversely, some express concern that separating K-pop into its own category might effectively exclude it from competing in the main, more prestigious categories, such as Album of the Year or Song of the Year, which are part of the 'General Fields.' This could create a new barrier rather than simply expanding opportunities.

In addition to the Asian Pop category, the Recording Academy is introducing several other new awards, including Best Latin Song, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, and Best Traditional Folk Album. These changes reflect a broader effort to adapt the Grammy Awards to the evolving landscape of global music.

Asian pop is an important trend in the global music industry.

— Harvey Mason Jr.Recording Academy CEO, commenting on the significance of Asian music.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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