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President Lee Hails “Golden” Grammy Win, Pledges Expanded Support for K‑Pop Creators

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  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna of HUNTR/X attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
    Image: Newsweek
    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna of HUNTR/X attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) Source Full size
  • President Lee Jae Myung (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    President Lee Jae Myung (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This AFP photo shows songwriters of "Golden" from the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media for the song at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This AFP photo shows songwriters of "Golden" from the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media for the song at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Cher saw the funny side of her gaffe
    Image: BBC
    Cher saw the funny side of her gaffe (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Zoey, Rumi and Mira are Huntr/x - the Kpop trio who also try and save the world from evil
    Image: BBC
    Zoey, Rumi and Mira are Huntr/x - the Kpop trio who also try and save the world from evil (Netflix) Source Full size
  • This EPA photo shows the team from "KPop Demon Hunters" posing in the press room with the award for Best Song Written for Visual media for "Golden" during the 68th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This EPA photo shows the team from "KPop Demon Hunters" posing in the press room with the award for Best Song Written for Visual media for "Golden" during the 68th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This Reuters photo shows composers of the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for "Golden" on Feb. 1, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This Reuters photo shows composers of the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for "Golden" on Feb. 1, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Cher saw the funny side of her gaffe
    Image: BBC
    Cher saw the funny side of her gaffe (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Rosé and Bruno Mars performing together
    Image: BBC
    Rosé and Bruno Mars performing together (EPA/Shutterstock) Source Full size
  • Pharrell Williams was honoured with a lifetime achievement prize
    Image: BBC
    Pharrell Williams was honoured with a lifetime achievement prize (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • None
    Image: BBC
    Reuters Source Full size
  • Sabrina Carpenter lit up the stage during an aviation themed performance
    Image: BBC
    Sabrina Carpenter lit up the stage during an aviation themed performance (Emma McIntyre / Getty Images) Source Full size
  • None
    Image: BBC
    EPA/Shutterstock Source Full size
  • (left to right) Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami from the fictional band
    Image: BBC
    (left to right) Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami from the fictional band (EPA/Shutterstock) Source Full size
  • None
    Image: BBC
    Getty Images Source Full size
  • None
    Image: BBC
    Reuters Source Full size
  • Aura V and her father Fyutch won best children's music album for Harmony
    Image: BBC
    Aura V and her father Fyutch won best children's music album for Harmony (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Lady Gaga on stage wearing an eyelash lampshade hat, of course
    Image: BBC
    Lady Gaga on stage wearing an eyelash lampshade hat, of course (EPA/Shutterstock) Source Full size
  • None
    Image: BBC
    Getty Images Source Full size
  • Alex Warren and Addison Rae both hit the charts after making their names as influencers
    Image: BBC
    Alex Warren and Addison Rae both hit the charts after making their names as influencers (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Zach Top won the best traditional country album
    Image: BBC
    Zach Top won the best traditional country album (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • None
    Image: BBC
    Getty Images Source Full size
  • Carole King (left) alongside Lady Gaga
    Image: BBC
    Carole King (left) alongside Lady Gaga (EPA/Shutterstock) Source Full size
  • Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway made an unexpected appearance during the Grammys... kind of
    Image: BBC
    Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway made an unexpected appearance during the Grammys... kind of (20th Century Studios) Source Full size
  • Zoey, Rumi and Mira are Huntr/x - the Kpop trio who also try and save the world from evil
    Image: BBC
    Zoey, Rumi and Mira are Huntr/x - the Kpop trio who also try and save the world from evil (Netflix) Source Full size
  • FKA Twigs was the first British winner of the night, with other UK nominees including Olivia Dean, Lola Young and Wet Leg
    Image: BBC
    FKA Twigs was the first British winner of the night, with other UK nominees including Olivia Dean, Lola Young and Wet Leg (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Yungblud attended the ceremony with Ozzy Osbourne's widow, Sharon
    Image: BBC
    Yungblud attended the ceremony with Ozzy Osbourne's widow, Sharon (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • R&B singer Kehlani won two prizes for her break-up ballad, Folded
    Image: BBC
    R&B singer Kehlani won two prizes for her break-up ballad, Folded (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna of HUNTR/X attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
    Image: Newsweek
    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 01: (L-R) Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna of HUNTR/X attend the 68th GRAMMY Awards on February 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) Source Full size
  • This AFP photo shows songwriters of "Golden" from the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media for the song at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This AFP photo shows songwriters of "Golden" from the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media for the song at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • Korean American songwriter Ejae (L) attends the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026, to receive a trophy for Best Song Written for Visual Media for "Golden" in this AFP photo. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Korean American songwriter Ejae (L) attends the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026, to receive a trophy for Best Song Written for Visual Media for "Golden" in this AFP photo. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • BLACKPINK's Rose and Bruno Mars perform their collaborative single "APT." at the 68th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026, in this photo from The Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    BLACKPINK's Rose and Bruno Mars perform their collaborative single "APT." at the 68th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026, in this photo from The Associated Press. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • K-pop girl group Katseye performs at the 68th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026, in this photo from The Associated Press. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    K-pop girl group Katseye performs at the 68th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026, in this photo from The Associated Press. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This EPA photo shows the team from "KPop Demon Hunters" posing in the press room with the award for Best Song Written for Visual media for "Golden" during the 68th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This EPA photo shows the team from "KPop Demon Hunters" posing in the press room with the award for Best Song Written for Visual media for "Golden" during the 68th annual Grammy Awards ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • President Lee Jae Myung (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    President Lee Jae Myung (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This Reuters photo shows composers of the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for "Golden" on Feb. 1, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This Reuters photo shows composers of the "KPop Demon Hunters" soundtrack, who won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles for "Golden" on Feb. 1, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size
  • This image, provided by Netflix, is a scene from "Kpop Demon Hunters." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    This image, provided by Netflix, is a scene from "Kpop Demon Hunters." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Source Full size

Historic Grammy Win Marks K‑Pop’s First Visual‑Media Award The track “Golden” from Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters captured the Best Song Written for Visual Media prize at the 68th Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, 2026, held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles [1][3][6][7]. Songwriters Ejae, Teddy, 24 and Ido were named the official recipients, becoming the first K‑pop producers or songwriters to receive a Grammy [1][6]. The win follows the song’s ascent to number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart [3][6]. The ceremony also highlighted other major winners, including Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” (Song of the Year) and Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s “Luther” (Record of the Year) [3][7].

Global Chart Dominance Amplifies K‑Pop’s Commercial Reach “Golden,” performed by the fictional group Huntr/x (Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami), topped the U.S. and U.K. charts within weeks of the film’s June release, reinforcing the genre’s crossover appeal [3][6]. Netflix reported the film amassed over 480 million views, making it the platform’s most‑watched title and driving the soundtrack’s streaming surge [7]. The Recording Academy’s recent expansion of its K‑pop voting panel, adding artists such as Seventeen’s Woozi and Enhypen’s Jungwon, reflects institutional recognition of this commercial momentum [7].

President Lee Uses Grammy Triumph to Promote Cultural Policy On Feb. 2, 2026, President Lee Jae Myung posted on X congratulating the “Golden” team and calling the achievement “a new chapter in K‑pop history” [1]. He highlighted fellow nominees Rose of BLACKPINK and Jeung Yoon‑chae of KATSEYE, emphasizing broader Korean artistic success despite their lack of wins [1][4]. Lee pledged “steadfast support” for artists and producers, hinting at future government initiatives to boost cultural exports [1][4]. The post was accompanied by an EPA photograph of the production team with the Grammy trophy [1].

Other Korean Nominees Shine Without Awards, Underscoring Growing Presence BLACKPINK’s Rose received three Grammy nominations—for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance—for her collaboration “APT.” with Bruno Mars, marking the first K‑pop solo act nominated in general‑field categories, yet she left empty‑handed [1][3][4]. Girl group KATSEYE performed “Gnarly” during the ceremony, joining other Best New Artist nominees in a joint stage moment [3]. These nominations, alongside the historic win, illustrate South Korea’s expanding footprint at the Grammys [1][3][4].

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Timeline

2025 – A weak year for U.S. pop streaming fuels commentary that the Grammys’ first K‑pop big‑four nominations are “more symbolic of global storytelling” than a pure market surge, underscoring the genre’s rising cultural clout[4].

Aug 2025 – The Recording Academy adds K‑pop artists such as Seventeen’s Woozi, Enhypen’s Jungwon and Le Sserafim’s Huh Yunjin to its voting panel, signaling institutional recognition of K‑pop’s commercial and artistic influence[2].

Jan 9, 2026 – The Grammy nominations reveal historic firsts: Rosé becomes the inaugural K‑pop nominee for Record of the Year with “APT.”, “Golden” joins Song of the Year, and HYBE’s Katseye lands a Best New Artist nod, marking K‑pop’s breakthrough into the awards’ “big four” categories[4].

Feb 1, 2026 – At the Grammy Premiere Ceremony, “Golden” from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters wins Best Song Written for Visual Media, delivering the first Grammy ever to K‑pop producers; songwriters Ejae, Teddy, 24 and Ido are honored, and producer 24 dedicates the prize to “my greatest mentor and closest friend, the pioneer of K‑pop”[8].

Feb 1, 2026 – Bad Bunny secures three Grammys, including Album of the Year, but a contractual clause tied to his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance bars him from playing live, prompting a light‑hearted exchange with host Trevor Noah[1].

Feb 2, 2026 – The main Grammy ceremony at Crypto.com Arena sees Cher return after 18 years to present Record of the Year, mistakenly announcing “Luther Vandross” before correcting to Kendrick Lamar & SZA; Trevor Noah quips “I love live television,” Steven Spielberg completes the EGOT with a music‑film Grammy, and Rose of BLACKPINK receives three nominations but no wins, while the country album award splits into Traditional and Contemporary categories[1][3].

Feb 2, 2026 – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung posts on X that “Golden” marks “a new chapter in K‑pop history” and vows to “steadfastly support our artists so they can showcase their talents on an even broader stage,” highlighting governmental backing for cultural exports[6].

Feb 2, 2026 – Yonhap reports a heavy‑snow advisory across South Korea, a special‑counsel interrogation of Coupang Fulfillment Services CEO over severance claims, a 3.47 % drop in the KOSPI driven by tech sell‑offs, and notes that South Korean speed skaters are targeting a podium return at the Milan‑Cortina Winter Games this month[7].

Feb 2026 (upcoming) – The Milan‑Cortina Games, slated for February 2026, represent the next major international stage where South Korea hopes to restore its speed‑skating dominance after a medal slump in Beijing 2022[7].

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