K-pop and the Grammys: does a win count as K-pop?

The 2026 Grammy Awards on Feb. 1 include three K-pop-related nominations, and scholars say the genre's history and global influences have left fans divided over what counts as K-pop.

K-pop may win a Grammy at the 2026 ceremony, but opinions differ about whether each nominated act should be called K-pop. The awards are scheduled for Feb. 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and three K-pop-related acts are among the nominees. Mathieu Berbiguier, a visiting assistant professor in Korean studies at Carnegie Mellon University who is writing a book on K-pop, explains how the genre's history and global spread have made definitions less clear. He points to early performers such as the Kim Sisters and to the industry’s training system as part of K-pop’s development. Key points: - The 2026 Grammy Awards take place Feb. 1 at the Crypto.com Arena and include three K-pop-related nominations. - Mathieu Berbiguier spoke about K-pop’s development and is writing a book on the genre’s evolution. - Berbiguier ties K-pop’s origins to the post‑World War II period and early performers like the Kim Sisters. - The traditional K-pop system involves auditions and extended training that can last one to seven years. - The sound and language of K-pop have become more global and multilingual, and nominees such as Katseye, HUNTR/X and Rosé have prompted debate over whether they fit the K-pop label. Summary: A Grammy win by a K-pop-related act will be decided at the Feb. 1 ceremony and is likely to revive discussion about genre boundaries. Observers and fans remain divided because K-pop has evolved into a multilingual, internationally produced industry, and debate over definitions is expected to continue after the awards.